FREEPORT — Western Maine Conference foes Freeport and Poland entered Wednesday’s high school boys soccer clash holding down the final two playoff spots in Western Class B.

A 0-0 double-overtime deadlock, though not glamorous, might have done the trick, as both teams picked up valuable Heal Points in their quest for a postseason berth.

“I don’t mind a tie right now,” said Poland coach Kris Wright, whose Knights are 2-8-2 and host Wells on Thursday before finishing the regular season on Monday against Kennebunk. “This result gives Freeport some extra points, and we get some extra points that should keep us ahead of (11th place) Leavitt for now. We need to get a result in against Wells tomorrow before finishing up at Kennebunk, a team with a great reputation.”

“We have focused on shutouts, so we are happy with that,” said Freeport coach Joe Heathco, whose Falcons have a tough slate to conclude the regular season with Falmouth visiting Friday and a visit to Cape Elizabeth on Monday.

In a back-and-forth contest, the visitors controlled play throughout the first half, holding a 9-4 shot advantage and a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

“I thought the first 15 minutes of the game we should have one or two goals,” Poland midfielder Nigel Williams said. “I thought we were playing quick and controlled, keeping our composure when we had the ball. I think Freeport played the ball back and then forward in the second half, making us a little bit tired.”

Shawn Murphy had two good opportunities in the opening frame for Poland, but Freeport goaltender Brendan Qualls (six saves) made the stops.

“I thought when we played them in the beginning of the season, we were not ready to play yet,” said Williams of his team’s 3-0 loss to Freeport on Sept. 12. “We showed what we are made of today.”

“We had the better run of play in the first 15 minutes before Freeport stepped up their intensity a little bit,” added Wright. “Freeport realized it wasn’t going to be like the last time. Our level of effort is considerably greater, and I don’t know if someone watching both games would recognize us as the same team.”

“We have come out flat against many of the teams that we have played, and as the game goes on we get more intense,” said Freeport midfielder Zach Merrill. “In the second half, we started putting more plays together and started coming together a little bit. It was just about space, not giving them that space, and we were a little bit active in marking up earlier. When we did that, we had long stretches where the ball was on their side of the field.”

Merrill’s chance from in front of Poland netminder Zack Lowe (eight saves) nearly gave the Falcons the game’s lone goal. Addison Vosmus gathered the ball near the flag and sent a cross to Merrill, whose shot hit the bottom of the cross bar before bounding away to keep the scoresheet blank.

“The ball was going fast and the play was moving fast, and it was hard to get my foot on the ball at the right spot on that play,” said Merrill of his chance with 10:20 remaining in regulation. “I really thought the ball was going to get past me actually. It barely hit my toe and went about an inch too high.”

“We could have used a square post there,” said Heathco of Merrill’s chance. “We were not getting much up the middle, so we played toward the outside and Addie (Vosmus) made a nice read and a cross there.”

In the first five-minute overtime, Nick Wilson’s shot was gathered in by Lowe, while Poland forward Ben Campbell sent a long roller at Qualls for an easy save. As the time ticked away, Freeport’s Caleb Abbott sent a rising shot inches above the bar to send the game to second extra period.

Jack Davenport made a pair of steals to lead a Freeport run, but Lowe made his final save to close out the 0-0 tie.

“Poland has gotten better, and it was a tough game,” said Heathco, whose Falcons held a 15-12 shot advantage, including an 11-3 edge in the second half and overtime periods. “For us, it has been a rocky road, having trouble pulling it together. We have two games left and should be in the playoffs, but you never know.

“I liked our second-half intensity after a first half where we were not reacting and marking at times,” continued Heathco. “When we took away space, the pressure was on them. We made some adjustments last week, moving guys around with the idea to stop the other team’s offense. Today, we did that.”

Poland defenders Luke Johnson, Adam Moody and Evan Gallagher were solid in front of Lowe, while Freeport’s Nick Nelsonwood, Harry Stivers and Parker Mathison helped spearhead the Falcons’ fourth shutout of the season.

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