BIDDEFORD — The Noble boys soccer team braved wet conditions to earn a 1-0 victory over Biddeford at Waterhouse Field on Tuesday night.
“Ugly conditions but a win’s a win. We had a game a couple weeks ago against (Thornton Academy) the same conditions and it went the same way. It’s just ugly. You can’t play good soccer in this weather, it doesn’t matter the team you are,” said Noble head coach Sean Jackson.
The Knights (2-7-1) scored the lone goal of the game during the first half.
Noble received a corner kick and the ball was sent right in front of the goal. The Tigers (0-9-1) tried to clear the ball, but the slippery conditions made it impossible and ball rolled into the Biddeford net at the 20:37 mark. Noble’s Gavin Mason was credited for producing the final 1-0 score.
“I think they got an own goal. I don’t know. I know it was credited to (Mason). I don’t think he touched it but I think it was just bouncing around in there and the kid went to clear it and it was unlucky. In these conditions stuff like that happens all the time,” said Jackson.

The rest of the game was scoreless with both team having trouble finding the back of the net.
With 11 minutes left in the first half, Biddeford’s Muntodhir Al Yasrei fired the ball at Noble’s net but the ball went wide.
At the 9:16 mark, it seemed that Biddeford would tie the game. Mustafa Najm was on a breakaway and shot toward the corner of the goal, but Noble’s goal keeper Noah Stafford stopped the ball from entering the net.
“It’s one of those tough games where you give one goal up and that’s it,” said Biddeford head coach Larry Burningham. “We gave our own goal up which has been our luck this season. I thought the boys played great, I thought Noble played great. We just couldn’t get one in.”
With 32:50 left in regulation, Noble looked to score again. Andrew Hovasse crossed the ball in front of the Tiger’s net but no one was able to finish.
“Not exactly the outcome we wanted. I mean a win’s a win but the guys just need to get it in their heads that they need to play the style of soccer that we’ve been learning all year every game not just for 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there. We have yet to put a full 80 minutes together as a team,” said Jackson.
Biddeford goalie Josh Nagle made 12 saves. Stafford stopped seven shots in the win.
Biddeford will travel to Kennebunk, while Noble will host Massabesic on Thursday.
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.