Portland tops Sanford in double OT

South Portland and Sanford opened their boys’ soccer season with a physical battle that wasn’t decided until the second overtime, when Anthony Perron’s goal on a header gave South Portland a 1-0 win.

“Anthony finished it unbelievably,” South Portland Coach Bryan Hoy said.

But Hoy wasn’t as pleased with his Red Riots during the first half.

South Portland graduated 10 seniors from last season, and Sanford has just three returnees who will play significant minutes.

South Portland made it to the Class A South semifinals last season, while Sanford barely sneaked into the playoffs before falling in the prelims.

“They’re one of the most improved teams in the league,” Hoy said of Sanford.