SCARBOROUGH — Longtime Portland boys’ soccer coach Rocco Frenzilli called Tuesday night’s game at Scarborough a benchmark for his team.
His players weren’t thinking in such large terms. They just wanted to beat the Red Storm for the first time in their high school careers.
And they did. The Bulldogs continued their terrific season with a 3-0 victory at the Kippy Mitchell Sports Complex, pulling away after halftime, getting goals from three players and beating Scarborough for the first time since 2018, serving further notice they’re one of the elite teams in the league.
“I wanted to think this was possible back in August but I wasn’t sure,” said Frenzilli. “Scarborough’s a very, very good team and I’m so happy with how the kids responded. They did a great job.”
Portland (7-0-1) got the only goal it would need in the 18th minute, when Baptista Muanda served the ball into the box and Francisco Samuel got to it just before Red Storm goalkeeper Seamus Corry and sent it into the net.
Scarborough nearly drew even three minutes into the second half when Sebastian Furr ripped a promising shot, but Bulldogs goalkeeper Calvin Hale (two saves) managed to tip it over the bar and Portland cleared the ensuing corner kick.
With 30 minutes left, the Bulldogs got breathing room. A contested ball squirted free and Martin Kalala-Wasukundi pounced on it, ripping a shot that Corry got a hand on but couldn’t stop to make it 2-0.
“The second goal was very important,” said Kalala-Wasukundi. “I took one touch and I finished it.”
Ronan Mas, who is part of Portland’s strong back line, then put it away with four minutes to play, sending a free kick from 25 yards over the Scarborough defensive box and past Corry to make it 3-0.
“I was just looking where the goalie was and the wall was, and I knew I couldn’t mess it up,” said Mas. “I knew what I wanted to do and I got it.”
The Bulldogs not only have great talent but according to their coach, are unselfish and poised.
“We’ve focused on poise and being able to find each other in good positions to give ourselves a chance to do something positive,” Frenzilli said. “It’s just a solid group of guys who work hard together.”
Corry made four saves for the Red Storm, who fell to 3-3-1.
“Portland’s good in the middle and they move the ball with pace, but I think we did pretty well against them,” said Scarborough Coach Mark Diaz. “I don’t have a problem saying Portland and Windham are closest to the top right now, but I don’t know if the distance is as great as people think. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
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