WISCASSET – It was almost too easy for Lindsay James.

The striker watched as Sarah Whitfield’s shot arced toward the top right corner of the Wiscasset net. Winthrop goaltender Katie Brooks broke from the line and jumped, nicking the ball and momentarily averting disaster.

Then the ball glanced off of Brooks’ fingers, hit the corner of the post and the crossbar and squirted left, dancing across the goal line, right to James.

“I didn’t want to miss it,” said James. “I just closed my eyes and opened them again. I couldn’t believe it. I was close to the post and had missed one in a game like that already.”

With 53 seconds to play in the game, James converted a tap-in goal after sneaking in behind the Winthrop defense, sending unbeaten Wiscasset (16-0-1) to the Western Class C final with a 1-0 semifinal win over the visiting Ramblers on Tuesday night.

“They came out here on this field and kicked us around to a 5-0 loss earlier this year,” said Winthrop coach Marc Fortin. “This was a good game, and after the first half, we figured they had used up their chances.”

Wiscasset dominated the first half, sending 15 shots in the direction of the Winthrop net. Brooks made 10 saves and preserved the scoreless tie.

“We really were playing for that 0-0,” said Fortin. “We came that close.”

Colby Graffam and Lindsey Leone had golden opportunities in that first half for the Redskins, but Brooks denied them both.

In the second half, Winthrop gained a bit more steam, and after playing with five fullbacks for most of the night, it appeared that the Ramblers were ready to explore some offensive options.

“We had to play with five fullbacks all night,” said Fortin. “They have such a good offense. We needed to protect our net.”

The Ramblers’ best chance for a goal came in the 16th minute of the second half, when Emilie Knight stood all alone in front of the Wiscasset goal with the ball. Her boot from less than 10 yards sailed high over the crossbar, much to the dismay of the large Winthrop crowd gathered on the sideline.

“That would have made the whole game different,” said Fortin. “That ties the game, or maybe wins it. As the second half went along, I knew one goal was going to win the game.”

Winthrop finishes the season at 11-4-1, while Wiscasset will play Saturday against North Yarmouth Academy.

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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