Thornton strikes first beating Biddeford 3-0

BIDDEFORD — The first round is done in the annual Thornton Academy vs. Biddeford rivalry.

And the round goes to Thornton Academy.

Such was proven at Waterhouse Field on Tuesday, as the Golden Trojans boys soccer team defeated the Tigers 3-0.

The match was the very first contest of the year between the rival schools, and once again, the Wilson-Agreste trophy is up for grabs.

The trophy, named for former Biddeford Athletic Director Donald Wilson and former Thornton Academy Athletic Director Richard Agreste, goes to the school that puts up the most wins against its rival during the school year. The award was first presented during the 2009-2010 school year, and Thornton has kept the trophy during both years, winning by a margin of 18.5-3.5 last season (ties, or splits of regular season matchups equals a half-point for each team).

With the win, Thornton is now 4-3-1 on the season, a good turnaround thus far for a team that had its struggles in the past couple of years.

“We’re still in the thick of it,” Thornton Academy head coach Andrew Carlson said. “We’ve got to make sure we play hard every game and practice hard for every game. I think we’ve been a little bit more fortunate on some of the bounces we’ve gotten on the offensive end, and I think we’re defending a little bit better. I just think playing better as a team. We don’t have any outstanding individual players, everybody’s got to come to the game each game and give it their best shot and see if we can piece it together to find a solution.”

The Trojans dominated the Tigers in shots on Tuesday by a 12-2 margin, and made the most of its opportunities down in the Biddeford end of the field. Trojans senior Michael Haines led the team in scoring on the day, knocking in two goals, both of which came in the first half.

“We’ve definitely been picking up the pace,” Haines said. “We’re more aggressive. We’ve been trying a lot harder than the last couple of years, because we haven’t been doing so good.”

Haines scored the first goal of the contest less than three minutes in, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Thornton kept the pressure on Biddeford throughout the half, outshooting the Tigers by an 8-0 margin.

Haines added his second goal with five minutes remaining in the half, taking a pass from Aaron Sinclair on a breakaway before knocking it home, giving the Trojans a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime.

Thornton sealed the victory in the second half with a goal by Devon Verville eight minutes in, sealing the 3-0 score.

Trojans goalkeeper Chris Roberts made two saves to earn the shutout.

Haines said he feels the team has played well enough that a playoff berth can happen in the not too distant future.

“We’re feeling pretty good,” Haines said. “Our goal is, at least mine is, to make the playoffs. I feel like we’re a good contender for that. I think the team feels that way, too. We’re all just trying to do the best we can.”

Though he allowed three goals, Biddeford goalie Jeff Thompson was impressive, making nine saves, some on shots that looked destined to be in the net.

With the loss, the Tigers, a young team that sports only one senior this season, drop to 0-7 on the season.

Carlson credited the Tigers with tough play during the match.

“Biddeford plays tough, it’s a tough place to play,” Carlson said. “They’re going to play with more energy than they would normally do against a traditional rival. The field makes tight space and tight room to play out of, so it gives them the opportunities to defend well. The keeper played well. They’re a good side.”

The Tigers travel to Marshwood on Thursday, while the Trojans host Deering in their next contest on Oct. 1.

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