Scarborough Wins Fifth Straight Title

No. 1 Scarborough girls soccer defeated No. 3 Kennebunk 3-1 on Tuesday night to secure a fifth consecutive trip to the Class A state championship game.

The Red Storm (16-0-1) played on their home field for the A South final. They will face North champion Camden Hills in Saturday's state final. Freshman Wren Bodah scored two goals, and sophomore Jill Morris added the decisive strike in the 54th minute.

Both of Bodah's goals came from rebounds off shots by junior Josie Duncan. Bodah finished a long kick from Duncan to open the scoring, and she jumped on the rebound of a 30-yard free kick from Duncan with 8:42 remaining to seal the victory. Duncan, the team's center back, noted that she had full confidence in Bodah to be in position for the rebound.

Kennebunk (12-4-1) scored once in the 10th minute. Senior midfielder Ava McCourt finished a pass from Gwen Elia to tie the game at 1-1 after Scarborough had a 6-1 advantage in shots. The Rams had beaten Scarborough 1-0 in the A South semifinals last fall, but coach Josh Viola said this year's matchup was more balanced than the previous season's contest.

Scarborough coach Craig Roberts said the team maintained composure despite the early setback. He noted that eight players on the field did not play in last year's state game or regional final. Roberts said that about a third of the current roster was not on the playoff roster last year, and he was impressed by how the younger group integrated with the veterans.

Morris described the go-ahead goal as a matter of trust. She said she trusted teammate Maya Casey to put the shot on frame after Casey fought off two defenders. Morris positioned herself near the keeper and tapped the rebound into the net. She recalled the advice to not panic and to remember there is more time than one thinks.

Assistant coach Doug Bennett exchanged words with the players as they celebrated on the sidelines. He told them they were going, a sentiment the team has carried for five years. The Red Storm will now prepare for their matchup with Camden Hills this Saturday.