Yarmouth girls soccer dominates in win over NYA

YARMOUTH, MAINE – Oct. 14, 2026. Yarmouth celebrates a goal by Sydney McElligott during a game against Yarmouth North Academy on Tuesday at Yarmouth. The Clippers beat the Hornets 3-0. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny/Staff Photographer)

YARMOUTH — It’s difficult to score if you don’t have the ball, as North Yarmouth Academy found out Tuesday night against Yarmouth.

Yarmouth kept the ball away from NYA for nearly the entire game in a 3-0 girls soccer victory Tuesday night. Juniors Sydney McElligott, Lilah Pernal and Miah Jacobs each tallied a goal for for the Clippers (10-2).

Yarmouth, ranked No. 2 in the Class B South Heal point standings and No. 8 in the Varsity Maine Top 10, outshot the Panthers (9-3) by a 13-0 margin. NYA is ranked No. 2 in Class C South.

“We’ve been doing pretty well (all season),” Jacobs said. “A lot of us have been playing together for so long. That’s helped us out a lot, knowing how each other play.”

McElligott added: “We want to keep being selfless with the ball and keep supporting each other on an off the field.”

NYA got strong work from goalkeeper Jordan Nash, who made nine saves.

How did they get there?

Strong possession and a strong attack. With their midfielders controlling the flow of the game, the Clippers held the ball in NYA territory for all of the first half.

“They’ve been growing over the year and trusting us with the ideas we’re giving them to implement (the game plan),” said Yarmouth coach Andy Higgins. “They moved the ball really well. We talked about protecting the ball, sharing the ball and moving off the ball, and they did well with that, all game. It was something that was great to see, and I hope we can build on that as we move on to another big game on Thursday (against York).”

Yarmouth struck early, as Pernal found a loose ball in front of the net and knocked it past Nash just 1:53 into the game. The Clippers scored again midway through the first half when McElligott took a pass from Jacobs and tapped the ball with her right foot into the net.

Jacobs closed out the scoring early in the second half, knocking in a shot just in front of the goal.

What does it mean?

The win keeps the Clippers firmly in the second spot in B South, behind Cape Elizabeth (11-0). The Capers beat Yarmouth 4-0 on Sept. 27.

Despite the loss, the Panthers trail only No. 1 Maranacook (11-1) in Class C South and are ahead of No. 3 Mt. Abram (8-2-1).

Playing for a cause

Tuesday was Cancer Awareness Night for the Clippers, who wore light blue warmup shirts in support of Time to Compete, a foundation that helps build support teams for young adults who have been diagnosed with debilitating illnesses.

Time to Compete was established by Yarmouth High alum and athletic standout Gibson Harnett, who died in January 2024 from late-stage clear-cell sarcoma, a rare and incurable cancer. He was 24.

“Tonight was a big night, we were playing for Gibby, and that was a big part of our (motivation),” Pernal said. “Everyone was ready to compete and do their best. I think that really helped drive our play to come out strong.”

Yarmouth and NYA players dedicated the game to family members and friends who have battled cancer.

“They came out and competed from start to finish, and that was the challenge we gave them, finding another gear on a special night. We challenged them to fight like Gibson Harnett,” said an emotional Higgins. “I think they did and I’m so proud of them.”