Scarborough’s Abby Corbin pounded out seven goals against visiting Gorham to lead the Red Storm to a 16-5 W in the teams’ quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday. Scarborough then moved on to face No. 1 Massabesic in Friday’s semis, where they pulled off an impressive, 11-5 upset of the reigning State Champion Mustangs.

Gorham’s loss bounced them from playoff contention; they retire for the year at 7-6. Scarborough’s pair of wins advanced them to 10-4. They will travel to No. 2 Marshwood for the A West Final on Wednesday. That game is scheduled for 5 p.m.

No. 4 Scarborough vs. No. 5 Gorham

The well-prepped Red Storm controlled the Rams for long stretches and at critical moments, spreading their offense around while shutting down the Gorham’s top scorers.

In addition to her seven goals, Corbin also had one assist. Teammate Kaitlin Prince hashed four goals and four assists, Bailey Adams one goal and two assists, Ellie Smith and Sydney Hersey one goal and one assist each, and Alex McCown and Sydney Rusak one goal apiece.

Scarborough head coach Michaela Wipfler speculated about what gave her girls such a competitive advantage: “I think, in part, we kind of took it to them in the season. We beat them 13-2, and I think that gave us a mental advantage.

“And they girls were ready to come out; they were hungry. They knew they couldn’t come out soft. We watched game film last night, after practice, so the girls really knew where [Gorham’s] holes were.

“And our defense has a good grasp; when we head up against these teams, we know who their top scorers are, so our defensive unit is aware. They know who they need to keep an extra eye on.”

Reagan Emerson had two goals on two free positions early in the game for Gorham. Teammates MacKenzie Collins, Marina Pappalardo and Audrey Perrault tallied one goal apiece.

“A loss to a very good team today,” said Gorham head coach Mary Guimond. “They wanted it more, and more consistently. All those 50-50 battles, they won. The refs were letting it be a real physical game, and they adjusted to that better than we did.

“We made some mistakes that cost us, quite frequently. When our goalie was able to come up with a big save, or our defense was able to come up with a turnover…we turned it right back over.

“Draw controls, we knew, were going to be huge, going into this game. They’ve got a real strong midfield that usually gets the draws. We were able to get it a few times not consistently enough to get a rhythm going.”

Still, Guimond is satisfied with the season. “We’ve got a really young team,” she said. “We’ve got quite a few seniors, but also the majority of sophomores and freshmen. I feel good about what they’ve done and the challenges they’ve risen to this year – but I also like where we’re headed next year.”

Gorham’s MacKenzie Collins keeps just a step ahead of Scarborough defender Miranda Page.Gorham’s Reagan Emerson fends off Scarborough’s Marielle Smith in the Red Storm’s quarterfinals win over the Rams on Wednesday.Sydney Hersey circles the action, ready in position, against visiting Gorham on Wednesday.Gorham keeper Allison Sinnett has been stalwart in the cage for the Rams throughout their successful season.Scarborough’s Marielle Smith gets around a Gorham defender on Wednesday.Scarborough’s Kaitlin Prince had four goals and four assists in the Storm’s 16-5 win over Gorham on Wednesday.

Copy the Story Link