PORTSMOUTH — Patience was rewarded Friday night as the Portsmouth Patriots boys’ soccer team finally broke through to score against Cumberland for a 1-0 win to advance in the Division 1 state playoffs.

The Patriots dominated the Clippers offensively all night, but

couldn’t find the net until senior midfielder Nicholas Marshall, off an assist by sophomore Andrew Maiato, thundered one by the Cumberland goalkeeper with just over five minutes left to play.

“It was a playoff-caliber game,” said head coach Mike Stinton. “We knew they were going to be a tough team. We beat them 1-0 up there and they packed the defense in tonight and they were very successful, especially around the goal mouth. Our key was to keep the ball a bit more outside and that’s how we got the winning goal; we attacked from the outside.”

Goalkeeping duties for Portsmouth were shared between Chris Costa in the first half and Will Swart in the second. Both were exceptional.

“Chris is our senior leader and Will is an up-and-coming sophomore who's been coming up big for us in the second half," said Mr. Stinton.

Swart proved his point when by preventing a game-tying score with a diving stop in the final minute of the contest.

Next up is Bishop Hendricken at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Hendricken edged Portsmouth, 1-0, on Oct. 16.

“That was our last lost, actually. It should be a pretty good game. We’ll be ready Monday night,” said Mr. Stinton.