WATERBORO — A strong first half led the Massabesic boys soccer team to 2-1 victory over Biddeford on Friday night.
“At this point, every game we play is important if we want to get that last playoff spot. This was a good opportunity for us to lift in that direction and if we can go 5-0 the rest of the way, I know 25 kids that will be extremely happy,” said Massabesic head coach Alan Curtis.
The Mustangs (2-7-1) opened up the scoring three minutes into the first half as Parker Jalbert scored on an open goal.
Biddeford goalie Joshua Nagle left the goal to stop a corner shot from Dilan McEneaney. McEneaney’s shot became a cross in front of the goal and Jalbert rammed it into the open net.
Massabesic nearly made it 2-0 early on as with 22:24 left in the half, the Mustangs received a penalty kick. Brady Cormier rammed the ball at the net, but Nagle saved it before it could become a goal.
“Josh has been fantastic all season. He’s had 10 plus saves a game. He’s aggressive, he continues to keep us in games which is great and our team is working hard around him,” said Biddeford head coach Larry Burningham.
At the 11:42 mark, Jalbert scored again. Antonio DeSimone attempted a shot at the Tiger’s goal but Nagle stopped it. When the ball slipped off Nagle’s gloves, Jalbert followed and finished it with a kick to the corner producing a 2-0 score.
“We’re constantly talking about people finishing their job instead of stopping because they’re not playing anymore or they’ve made their pass so now they stand and watch. It’s what can I do to help? What is the next pass on? What is the next job that I have to do? When we get goals like this, it’s very satisfying not just for the players but from a coaching perspective because those are things we’ve talked about multiple times and now we know that it sinks in,” said Curtis.
With three minutes left in the first half, the Tigers (0-8-1) got on the board. The Tigers received a penalty kick, Mustafa Najm was able to pound the ball into the right corner out of the reach of Massabesic goalie Caleb Smalley.
During the second half, the Mustangs maintained possession but were unable to get anything past Nagle.
Nagle, who finished with eight saves, was not the only goalie making saves during the matchup, Smalley had seven saves in the win.
“Caleb Smalley has been amazing since he showed up as a freshman. He is a kid that is willing to get dirty every day. … I can’t say enough about Caleb. I would dare to say that as a sophomore, he’s one of the top keepers in York County,” said Curtis.
Biddeford will host Noble on Tuesday. Massabesic will travel to Noble on Thursday.
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.