Nashua South's Max Kopicko, right, heads the ball of a corner kick through a maze of Clippers and Panthers during Saturday's season opener at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Nashua High School South boys and girls soccer teams got off on the right foot, for the most part in a season-opening doubleheader Saturday at Stellos Stadium.

The Panther boys nipped Portsmouth 1-0, while the South girls, who had six ties last year, kissed their sisters from Portsmouth 1-1 after trailing 1-0 at halftime.

In the boys game, Damien Rodiguez scored the contest’s only goal about two-thirds into the first half. South had a lot of other chances and dominated time of possession in the second half. They kept the Clippers at bay as Portsmouth didn’t have any serious threats until South keeper Antonio Pancine made a couple of plays late, one a sliding grab before the Clippers could get off a shot.

South coach Tom Bellen felt his team could have played better, given the number of opportunites it had. But he also felt South was fortunate the Clippers didn’t make the most of their late possessions.

“Everything was self-inflicted,” South coach Tom Bellen said. “Bad distribution out of the back, bad choices out of the back.

“The back line needs to play way better if we’re going to compete at a high level.”

However, Bellen was pleased with the depth South showed.

“We have guys who can come off the bench and step up,”Bellen said.

Nashua South’s Carly Benzekri, left, and Portsmouth’s Brooke Ford battled on the wing all day in the teams’ 1-1 tie Saturday at Stellos Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

In the girls game, Portsmouth’s Alex Brandt broke through the often tight South defense to get a goal midway through the first half and 1-0 lead.

But in the second half, South Julia Stutz followed up an Auden King shot to get the equalizer.

The Panthers had a lot to be happy about, as Corrine Rivera played well as usual in goal, and Carly Benzrecki had an outstanding game on defense, battling the Clipper wings on the right side throughout. Olivia Mangahas played well, and South got a bit offensive boost from Natalee Thomas in her first game after missing last year with a torn ACL.

“Thomas was a constant threat,” South coach Curt Dutilley said. “I’m really happy with how everyone played.”

Next up for both teams will be Bishop Guertin on Tuesday in another Stellos doubleheader, the girls game at 4 p.m. and the boys in the rematch of last year’s epic Division I title game at 6. It will be the defending champion BG boys’ season opener.