Printer-friendly version Reader Comments

Western Class B Boys: The Yachtsmen say goodbye to a field full of memories by pulling away from their rival.

By MIKE LOWE, Staff Writer November 5, 2009

FALMOUTH — Before they left the Falmouth High field for one last time, each member of the Yachtsmen boys' soccer team carved out a small rectangular patch of sod to bring home and if they wish, cultivate.

Wednesday night, you see, was the last game on Falmouth's home field, which will be bulldozed, possibly even as you read this, for an elementary school. And the Yachtsmen made it a memorable finale.

With Michael Bloom scoring two second-half goals and Gabe Hoffman-Johnson another, top-ranked Falmouth pulled away from second-seeded Yarmouth 3-0 in the Western Class B final.

The victory put Falmouth into the state championship game for the seventh time this decade. The Yachtsmen, who lost to Yarmouth in the regional final last year, won the previous six.

"I think we're more appreciative," said Falmouth Coach Dave Halligan. "We had won two state championships previous to (losing to Yarmouth last year) so things were sort of expected. I think the seniors, who've been on both sides of it, appreciate it even more.

"The other thing is Yarmouth is one of the best teams. And when you can beat a team like that, it's special."

Falmouth (15-0-2) will play Ellsworth – the last Eastern team to win a state title (back in 1993) – in the Class B state title game. The site and time will be announced today by the Maine Principals' Association. Yarmouth finished 14-1-2.

These teams played twice in the regular season, each to a 1-1 tie. And after a scoreless, evenly played first half, it certainly seemed likely again. But then Bloom scored the first goal just 5:20 into the second half.

Dixon Pike began the play by chipping the ball over the defense. Bloom and Yarmouth defender Colby Shields fought for the ball as it rolled toward goalkeeper A.J. Oliver. The three converged on the ball when suddenly Shields and Oliver were on the ground and Bloom broke through with the ball on an open net.

"I partially didn't do my duty," said Oliver. "It was mostly, for me, just coming out to get it, and I wasn't fortunate enough to get it."

"It was just a big ball played in and the goalie was coming out," said Bloom. "I just ran right through the ball and it worked out in my favor."

From then on, Coach Mike Haggerty pulled his midfielders up, giving up something on the defensive side.

"I'd rather lose 3-0 trying to tie it then settle in and play 1-0," said Haggerty. "And we knew doing it early in the half, we were gambling but we weren't going to wait until the last 10 minutes and have a furious push. Our kids want to fight, want to win, so we just got aggressive.

"We knew what we were risking."

Breakaways. Falmouth had three, scoring on two. The first was by Hoffman-Johnson, with 9:46 remaining; the second by Bloom, actually on his own rebound, with 6:53 left.

"It's been our goal all year, for this game," said Hoffman-Johnson. "It feels good."

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com