Kennebunk, Windham girls soccer show Class A South’s competitiveness
Kennebunk Rams edge Windham Eagles 2‑1 in regular‑season finale
By Maine News Now
In a late‑night contest that felt as much a playoff preview as a season finale, the Kennebunk Rams defeated the Windham Eagles 2‑1 on Monday night at Kennebunk High School. The win gave Kennebunk the No. 3 seed in the Class A South playoffs, earning a bye to the regional quarterfinals, while Windham kept its No. 2 seed.
The Rams, coached by senior‑year head coach Josh Viola, outlasted the Eagles in a match that was as tight as the rest of the season had been. Both teams finished the regular season with identical 10‑3‑1 records, and the one‑goal margin of victory flipped the result of Kennebunk’s season‑opening 2‑1 loss to Windham at Windham’s home field.
Ava McCourt, the Rams’ captain and a senior midfielder who had missed most of last season with a leg injury, delivered the decisive blow. With 28:46 left in the second half, McCourt’s sharp low shot from the left flank found the right corner of the net, giving Kennebunk a 2‑1 lead that never fell. “Everyone on this team, we’re one giant fun group,” McCourt said after the game. “We all care. We come to practice ready to go.” Coach Viola praised her as “the best midfielder in the league,” and added that her leadership had been a key factor in Kennebunk’s success.
The match began under dark, chilly skies, a fitting backdrop for a game that felt as much like a playoff rematch as a regular‑season finale. As the clock ticked down, senior defender Teagan Hanson and goalkeeper Alina Auriemma—who returns as an all‑conference player—kept the Rams’ defense solid, with Hanson’s calm presence at the back and Auriemma’s reliable shot‑stopping.
“Windham is a pretty even team,” Viola said. “This could’ve easily been 2‑1 them again.” He also noted that the Rams had already proved their mettle against the league’s top side, Scarborough, holding them to one goal in double overtime in a previous match.
Windham, meanwhile, entered Monday’s game as the No. 2 seed and suffered its second one‑goal loss in a row, having fallen 1‑0 to Cheverus earlier that month. The Eagles’ season has been marked by close contests; the match was their seventh one‑goal game and the second of two consecutive one‑goal defeats.
The Rams’ victory not only secured a bye to the quarterfinals but also set up a potential playoff showdown. As the No. 3 seed, Kennebunk could face Windham again in the regional quarterfinals, a matchup that could very well play out as a rubber match between the two teams.
Beyond Kennebunk and Windham, the Class A South playoff field is shaping up to be competitive. Bonny Eagle and South Portland are the other teams that could make a splash, with South Portland recently earning its 10th win of the season and the chance for another bye. The playoffs promise to be a true test of talent and resilience, but for now Kennebunk celebrates a hard‑earned win that puts them in a strong position to advance.
