YARMOUTH — After a frustrating first half in a Class B South semifinal Saturday, the top-seeded Yarmouth girls’ soccer team spent the halftime break reflecting on its recent history and hit the reset button.
The result was a dominant second half that resulted in a 2-0 win over fourth-seeded York, sending the defending state champions back to the regional final.
“We just talked about not playing with any sort of fear,” said Yarmouth Coach Chris Coleman. “This is our home turf. We’re the defending state champions. We’re the only team that’s unbeaten and there’s a reason why, and we needed to go out and show them.
“We certainly did that in the second half.
The Clippers turned to senior standout Sara D’Appolonia to lead the way. D’Appolonia scored the tiebreaking goal and assisted on the other.
Yarmouth (16-0), which won its 21st straight game, will play for the regional title Wednesday against the winner of a Monday night semifinal between No. 3 Greely and No. 7 Cape Elizabeth.
York (9-6-1) held the Clippers scoreless until D’Appolonia picked up a loose ball 25 yards away from the net with about 25 minutes remaining. With her back to the net, the senior striker faked right before taking one step past her defender and unleashing a drive into the bottom corner of the net.
“Sara comes in day and day out, and sets the tone for the girls and us as a coaching staff as well,” said Coleman. “She’s ridiculous. There’s no words to describe her. She’s just ridiculous. She’s a special player who will go as far as she wants to in this game.”
It was a school-record 32nd goal of the season for D’Appolonia.
“It was just a flow of energy that went through me when that went in,” said D’Appolonia. “I think that just kind of kicked us into gear. Then we got another one and went from there.
“I was just trying to go far post. I had a feeling the goalie would be creeping and I just found the side netting.”
Five minutes after her goal, D’Appolonia sent a through ball to the waiting foot of classmate Hannah Merrill. The midfielder settled the pass and sent a shot into the top left corner.
“The second goal – if you look at from when we won (possession) to the finish – was probably the best goal of the season,” said Coleman. “We made eight or nine passes, we changed the point of attack and really opened things up. We showed great composure and it was a fantastic finish. That one sealed it for us.”
The Clippers, who have surrendered just four goals all season, shut out the Wildcats for the third time. Senior keeper Meredith Lane made five saves en route to her 13th shutout.
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