The opening minutes of Boothbay Region High School’s first girl soccer game had a promising start.

Forward Sinead Miller was in prime position to score a goal as she dribbled down the near sideline for 30 yards and found herself about 12 yards from the goal. She let the shot fly, but Wiscasset goal keeper Kayla Gordon smothered the shot and punted it away. Other Boothbay Region scoring chances were few and far between. Miller’s shot was only one of four for the game.

Wiscasset finished with 25 shots, including 21 in the first half. The Wolverines scored three first half goals in their 5-0 victory on Sept. 5. This was both teams’ opening game in girls’ Mountain Valley Conference soccer action.

Boothbay played better in the second half being out shot only 4-2, but the Seahawks had difficulty putting any substantial pressure on the Wolverine defense. Boothbay coach Kim Dionne said her team’s lack of experience playing together showed in the team’s communication and passing game. Boothbay has an inexperienced squad highlighted by 15 freshmen on the 26-man roster. Many of the freshmen are playing on key roles on defense.

“It’s really important for our younger players to improve,” Dionne said. “Our team as a whole didn’t do a good job in the first half controlling the ball. We did a better job in the second half, but we didn’t play well as a unit. We didn’t communicate, and it was like we just kicked the ball instead of passing it.”

Wiscasset scored at the eight minute mark on Hanna Foye’s goal. Brooke Carleton made it 2-0 with a goal at the 26 minute mark. And Wiscasset forward Miranda McIntire scored the third first half goal and two second half ones to cap the scoring. McIntire said her team started slowly, but it focused on a team concept of play to keep the ball in the Boothbay zone for the majority of the contest.

“We did a good job controlling the ball, but we still need to work on a lot of things,” McIntire said. “Our intensity wasn’t there to start the game. They out-hustled us to a lot balls in the air, and they did a good job at getting in front us to win those balls.”

Boothbay goal keeper Jamie Wheeler was kept busy making 12 saves on 25 shots. Wiscasset goal keeper Kayla Gordon made four saves on four shots. Wheeler believes the score could’ve been more lopsided if defender Brenna Alley hadn’t been as effective in clearing the ball out of the zone. Wheeler said the hot humid weather and her team’s lack of focus played a significant factor in the outcome.

“We’re a very young team with a lot players still learning how to play at the varsity level,” Wheeler said. “We had trouble getting back on defense which gave them a lot of good scoring chances. But Brenna did a nice job with her kicks which got us out of a lot of bad situations.”

The Seahawks (0-1) will look for its first win against the Dirigo Cougars of Dixfield on Wednesday, Sept.10 at 4 p.m. at the Clifford Ballfield in Boothbay.