Gorham High’s boys soccer team went into Tuesday’s Class A South boys soccer game with a perfect record. Host Portland had yet to win and had scored only one goal.

That might sound like a mismatch. Gorham coach Nick Viola knew better and made sure his team did, too.

“I told the boys, Portland’s always tough. I don’t care who they have or who they lost, it’s going to be a difficult game,” Viola said.

Gorham was up for the challenge. The Rams went on the road for the first time this season and came away with a convincing 2-0 win at Fitzpatrick Stadium. 

“This was a really, really important win for us,” Viola said.

Gorham improved to 4-0 and is ranked first in the Heal point standings. Portland (0-3-1) remains 14th in the 17-team league.

Getting the goals

Antoine Dube, Gorham’s center back and its defensive general, scored the first goal. When a ball came his way 30-plus yards from goal, he didn’t hesitate. He blistered a quick strike that tore through Portland keeper Finn Noonan’s hands and hit the back of the net in the 18th minute. 

“I don’t get to shoot often, and when I do, I try to make it count,” Dube said.

Tyler Olson provided insurance in the 60th minute, bodying in a dead-ball cross by Moises Ntango, who had been fouled.

Ntango, a sophomore from Angola in his second season with Gorham, was consistently a dangerous force in the offensive end.

Gorham has seven juniors and three sophomores in its starting 11. Olson, the lone senior, and sophomore Ahmed Abdulzahara were other active attackers. Gorham has outscored its competition, 15-1.

Ntango said having multiple offensive threats as options “has been helping, is helping, and we are glad that’s happening.”

Bulldogs getting better

Portland improved its overall play after falling behind, creating some dangerous looking runs by forwards Paulo Augusto and Charlie Lavertu, especially when they worked in concert with Isaac Pedro, Kevin Carvalho and Alianca Luzolontemo. 

“That’s what encouraged me, because we’ve been getting down and staying down,” said Portland coach Rocco Frenzilli. “Today, we got down and attempted to get back up.”

Gorham’s well-organized defense, led by Dube and sturdy sophomore Sawyer Wheaton, was able to prevent the Bulldogs from turning those promising forays into actual shots.

“It’s connecting all the dots,” Frenzilli said. “We’re connecting some dots, but we’re not connecting them all.”

Portland’s one true scoring chance, a header off an Alex Read direct kick, was handled by junior keeper Corbin Wilson (two saves). 

Gorham finished with a significant statistical edge, outshooting Portland 13-4 (6-2 on goal), with a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.