Witches trip Eagles 1-0

The Brewer Witches used a fine passing game to nip the Ellsworth Eagles 1-0 on an Emily Burrill goal in schoolgirl soccer action at Pendleton Street field in Brewer Tuesday.

Burrill’s goal was set up by two pinpoint passes. Sweeper Lori McDonald cleared the ball out of the Ellsworth zone to right wing, where Alyson Perkins settled the ball and sent a pass to Burrill, who was about 20 yards from the goal on the right side.

Ellsworth goalie MacKenzie Folsom came out to meet Burrill, but Burrill tapped the ball past the diving Folsom and drilled a shot into the goal’s left side with 3:08 left in the first half.

Brewer, which recorded its second win of the season over Ellsworth, improved to 9-2-2. The Eagles slipped to 6-4-3.

Burrill said she knew Folsom would make a run for the ball.

“I paused, kept my composure and kicked the ball around her,” said Burrill, a junior and Brewer’s leading scorer. “I didn’t want to kick over or wide (at the open goal), so I waited a second to get my footing (before shooting).”

Folsom frequently ranged wide out of the goal.

“She has done a good job coming out and has been very aggressive, but she is still young and inexperienced (a sophomore), playing her first year in goal,” Ellsworth Coach Dan Higgins said. “She’s still learning when to make a run at the ball and when to fall back. I can’t fault her for her enthusiasm.”

Ellsworth made some random runs at the Brewer goal, but the Witches controlled most of the game as their pressure was more constant as they showed off good ball-control skills.

The Witches outshot the Eagles 17-6, with an 8-2 advantage in the first half.

“I think physically they’re stronger than us and also have better overall ball skills,” Higgins said.

The Witches used their passing skills to move the ball down the wings and were also able to move the ball down the center of the field as they beat the Eagles to the ball and were able to settle it for some high percentage shots.

“We’re really starting to see the field better and have been passing the ball to the open spaces,” Brewer Coach Mark Savage said. “We had some tremendous passing today, some great combinations.”

Folsom made some nice saves on several line-drive Brewer shots as the Witches were not able to finish off after some well-executed setups. Burrill, Amy Winchester, Sasha Blood, and Tiffany Trott each fired three shots on goal for the Witches.

Savage was pleased with the overall play of his team, particularly McDonald on defense and center halfback Winchester, who was a key player in helping the Witches control the ball.

Ellsworth striker Rebecca Stanley, center half Cassidy Borgman, and right fullback Shelly Coffin all had fine games, Higgins said.