enlarge Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Ashley Taylor of York has inside position on Falmouth’s Abby Cavalero as she tries to settle the ball. York will be in the state final for the second time in three years.

enlarge Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Emma Clark, left, and Stephanie Gallagher celebrate York’s 2-0 victory over Falmouth in the Western Maine Class B girls’ soccer final Wednesday at York. Clark, a senior, set up both goals for the Clippers.

CLASS B FINAL

WHO: York (15-2) vs. Winslow (17-0)

WHEN: TBA Saturday

WHERE: TBA

YORK — Emma Clark and Coach Wally Caldwell of York embraced near the sideline as the rest of the team celebrated on the field.

"She's been a four-year starter for me," said Caldwell. "We've been through a lot together."

And now they and the rest of the top-seeded Wildcats will experience a bit more as they head to the Class B girls' soccer state championship game on Saturday after beating No. 2 Falmouth 2-0 Wednesday in the Western Maine final.

York (15-2) will meet Eastern Maine champion Winslow for the title. It will be the Wildcats' second appearance in the state final in three seasons. They won the state title in 2007 and lost to the Yachtsmen in last year's regional final.

Although this game was scoreless for almost 60 minutes, the Wildcats forced the action and had several scoring chances.

Freshman Alexa Bando got the go-ahead goal with 21:31 remaining. Falmouth (11-2-4) couldn't clear the ball after a shot, and Bando alertly knocked it in, with Clark getting an assist.

"We kept pushing the ball the whole game, and I knew we would score if we kept the pressure on them," said Clark. "We worked hard the whole game and it finally paid off in the second half."

With just over four minutes remaining, the Wildcats sealed it with an insurance goal. Once again, it was Clark setting up the goal.

Clark fed the ball to Kayla Weston, one of 11 seniors for the Wildcats, and she fired a hard shot into the left side of the goal.

"Those were the 29th and 30th assists for Emma this season," said Caldwell, who has coached for 35 years, the last 15 at York.

"Of all the players I've coached, and I've coached boys as well as girls, Emma Clark is in the top two. She has outstanding skills and a great mind for the game."

Falmouth, the defending state champion, didn't have many strong scoring chances as York's defenders kept the ball out of range of the goal for most of the game. Falmouth's best chance came on a header by Sarah Girouard in the first half. She timed a pass well, but her shot sailed just high.

"We got outplayed by a better team," said Falmouth Coach Jon Shardlow. "Clark controlled the midfield.

"We had a fantastic season which can't be defined by one game. We have several players returning. There's a good chance we'll be back here next season. This program is the type that reloads."

The teams split during the regular season, each winning 1-0 at home. York beat Falmouth in the final game of the regular season to earn the top seed and home-field advantage in the regional.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com