SCARBOROUGH – As the field beneath them baked under a blazing midday sun, the Scarborough girls soccer team made short work of Cape Elizabeth, pounding the Capers 7-0 in the Greely Invitational in Cumberland on Saturday, the Storm’s last preseason game before hosting Massabesic on Sept. 3. Beginning with the Mustangs, the Red Storm will look to redeem themselves in 2010 after being shocked by ninth-ranked Marshwood 2-1 in overtime in the first round of the 2009 playoffs.
“Today it was really hot, and we played a tough game this morning, but I think the kids are really battling through the heat,” said Scarborough head coach Mike Farley. “Overall, we’ve played well. We’ve been strong on offense, and we’ve been defending really well. I think we’ve scored 12 or 13 goals and haven’t given anything up. You win a lot of games when you play like that.”
Scarborough looked impressive against a Cape team that has struggled with early injuries. The Red Storm moved the ball with ease against Cape Elizabeth, and dominated possession. According to senior defenseman Nicolette Caron, this is a Scarborough club that is as talent-laden as it was last year, and equally as experienced.
“Practices have been going good,” she said, “and everyone has stepped up a lot, even the younger players. The juniors and sophomores are getting a lot of time in these games, even though we have a big senior class, and they’re really picking things up.”
As one of the premier teams in Class A, the Red Storm are well aware that their games are marked with a giant, red “X” on the schedules of every opposing coach in the league. Senior center mid Margaret Palmer believes that it’s important that the team not get swept away by the buzz surrounding them, particularly after what happened last season.
“Last season is kind of hyped up,” Palmer said. “We were doing so good, and we were winning every game, and then first round of playoffs we lose in overtime. It was kind of embarrassing and really sad. I think it leaves us with a lot to prove.”
Things certainly won’t get easier for Scarborough as the year progresses. Farley clearly understands that there is a very low chance that the team will repeat last year’s undefeated regular season run.
“Gorham is always one of the biggest games, because Gorham is the team that matches best with us talent wise, so that’s going to be a battle,” Farley said, after being asked about other prominent matchups this year. “You have a bunch of teams, like the Marshwoods, and the Cheveruses, the Portlands, and the Windhams of the world who can surprise you. We have a good balance in the SMAA right now. There are 3-4 teams at the top, and probably 5 teams just under them who can beat you any day.”
In terms of areas that need improvement, there is a single area of play that Farley believes has been a soft spot for this team for a number of years, and he is emphasizing to his players that it must be rectified.
“Every year the problem has come in set plays – corner kicks and free kicks,” he said. “We seem to sort of have a let down on those corners, and if we don’t score there, and then give up a goal, we could lose 1-0 even though we dominated the game. That’s the biggest thing we’re trying to get better at.”
Although they are by no means looking past Massabesic, Scarborough seems confident that they will emerge victorious this Friday.
“They haven’t been much competition,” Palmer said. “Last year we beat them by 11 or something. We need to not go in thinking that we’re going to win.”
“But,” she added with a laugh, “we have a pretty good chance.”
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