Yarmouth boys blank Waynflete in battle of defending champs

PORTLAND—Yarmouth’s boys’ soccer team was in control almost throughout in Tuesday afternoon’s showdown of reigning state champions against Waynflete at Fore River Fields.

And while the Clippers didn’t take advantage of as many opportunities as they would have liked, they continued their red-hot play and as the midway point of the 2023 season looms, they find themselves in a most familiar spot.

Once again, appearing to be the team to beat.

Yarmouth, which has won the past three Class B title, was flustered early by Flyers senior goalkeeper Nico Kirby, but in a three-minute span, sophomore Gideon Ahrens and junior Luis Cardoso scored goals.

Waynflete, which has won fourth straight Class C championships, couldn’t muster any offense in the second half and the Clippers put it away midway through, when senior captain Jonny Fulton scored off senior Adam McLaughlin’s corner kick serve to produce a 3-0 victory.

Yarmouth won its fifth game in a row, improved to 5-1 and in the process, dropped the Flyers to 2-3.

“I feel like we played OK,” said longtime Clippers coach Mike Hagerty. “We generated a lot of offense, but I think we could have been cleaner.”

Memories made

Yarmouth and Waynflete don’t play often, but it’s safe to say that last year’s showdown won’t soon be forgotten. In the regular season finale, Flyers senior standout Myles Culley, who had arguably the finest season in state annals, scored a breathtaking goal in overtime to produce a 3-2 victory.

While the Clippers returned a lot of talent this fall, Waynflete finds itself at the other extreme, as graduation took a toll and after a legendary and triumphant career, Brandon Salway has retired as Flyers’ coach and been replaced by one-time star player Will Burdick.

Waynflete started its new era with a 3-0 win at Traip Academy and after falling at Hall-Dale (3-1) and Greely (3-0), the Flyers got back on track last Thursday, blanking visiting York, 2-0.

Yarmouth, meanwhile, was shocked in its opener, falling at Greely, 2-0, before hitting its stride and downing visiting Gray-New Gloucester (7-0) and York (3-0), beating visiting Brunswick, the reigning Class A champion, 3-1, then last Thursday, defeating host Cape Elizabeth (4-1) in a regional final rematch.

Tuesday, on a sunny and beautiful mid-September afternoon (72 degrees at kickoff), the Clippers had the Flyers on their heels from the very start.

Yarmouth senior Adam McLaughlin fights off a Waynflete defender early in the Clippers’ 3-0 victory Tuesday. Hoffer photos.

Early on, however, Kirby kept Waynflete in the game, as after Yarmouth senior Matt Gautreau missed wide on an open rush in the game’s third minute, he fired a promising shot in the ninth that Kirby had to dive to save.

Senior Zach Turkel, returning to action from injury, threatened to put the Clippers in front in the 12th minute, when he got his head on a McLaughlin corner kick, but again, Kirby came up big.

A minute later, Cardoso took a shot that forced Kirby to dive and save again.

Finally, with 27:14 on the first half clock, Ahrens got the ball about 30 yards out and lofted a shot over Kirby’s outstretched hand and into the net to break the scoring ice.

With 24:39 remaining, Yarmouth doubled its lead, as Gautreau set up Cardoso for the goal.

Kirby made another nice diving save later in the half, this time robbing Ahrens, but the Clippers, who had a 10-0 advantage in shots on frame and took seven corner kicks to the Flyers’ one, held a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Yarmouth senior Matt Gautreau plays the ball.

Early in the second half, Gautreau hit the crossbar and senior Benjamin Flowerdew’s rebound shot was saved by Kirby. Kirby then denied McLaughlin.

With 26:35 to play, Waynflete got its best opportunity, when senior captain Jacob Woodman played a through ball into the box to senior Nestor Verdi, but junior goalkeeper Will Raymond, who had replaced senior Ian O’Connor at halftime, beat him to the ball.

Yarmouth’s third goal came off a corner kick with 19:51 remaining, as McLaughlin served the ball in front and Fulton ran on to it and one-timed it into the net.

“Jonny scored a beautiful goal,” said Hagerty. “We’ve been working on getting some space for him on set pieces. Adam got him a beautiful ball and he had a great volley.”

The Clippers managed to hold the Flyers at bay from there and prevail, 3-0.

“Credit to Waynflete,” said Hagerty. “I like what Will is doing with them. He’ll have them competing by the end of the season. Their backs played well and Nico is good. I’m glad we didn’t allow them to counter.”

Yarmouth finished with a 16-0 advantage in shots on frame and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.

Waynflete got 13 saves from Kirby.

“I thought we defended well with the ball in front of us, but made a few too many errors in our own 18,” said Burdick. “I always enjoy going up against Mike, as he is someone I consider a coaching mentor, and has helped me a lot in my early coaching career. His teams are always organized and play extremely hard. Playing teams like Yarmouth are great challenges for us that help us grow and improve as a team.”

Turning the corner

The Flyers look to bounce back Saturday when Sacopee Valley pays a visit. Waynflete hosts St. Dom’s and reigning Class D champion North Yarmouth Academy next week.

“We have a needed three days off before getting into a bit more of our Class C schedule, which we will prepare for,” Burdick said.

The Clippers have a makeup game at Wells Thursday, then it’s an opportunity to avenge a loss Saturday when Greely pays a visit.

“I’m glad we could squeeze Wells in this week,” said Hagerty. “We’ll get a lot of kids in. The kids wanted to play Greely again five minutes after the last game ended. They’re playing well too. It’s never going to be easy against them, but I think we’ll play better on our field than we did on their field. We’ll figure out some better matchups.

“I feel like we’ll be in really good shape come playoff time.”