Fall at Cape Elizabeth usually brings excitement and triumph and the 2012 campaign promises more of the same. Football will once again be among the top contenders in Western Class B. Boys’ soccer could be one of the best teams in the Western Maine Conference, one that could make a legitimate run at the Class A crown. The girls’ team is coming off its most successful campaign in years and should be a top contender once more. Field hockey looks to get back to the postseason after falling short last fall. Both cross country teams feature top runners. The girls’ squad welcomes a new coach. Golf, also under a new coach, will be a serious threat in Class B. Volleyball hopes for a first-ever playoff berth.

FOOTBALL

COACH: Aaron Filieo (ninth year, 60-23 overall record)

2011 Record: 7-3 (Lost, 13-0, to Mountain Valley in Western Class B semifinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Connor Maguire (Senior), Austin Petsinger (Senior), Kyle Snowden (Senior), Cam Wilson (Senior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Aug. 31 (H) WELLS, Sept. 7 @ York, Sept. 21 @ Falmouth, Oct. 5 @ Marshwood, Oct. 19 @ Mountain Valley

COACH’S COMMENT: “We lost a lot to graduation. We return six starters. Our defense is pretty strong. Offensively, we have good balance with young runners and a returning quarterback and receiver. The key focus for us is staying healthy. It’s a long season. With the low numbers we have, we want to stay in shape, keep it simple and keep getting better. We expect to be in the mix.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Cape Elizabeth has been very much in the mix for the past six seasons, each of which ended with a playoff berth. The Capers should be postseason-bound again in 2012, but they have some work to do with a lot of new faces on board. Maguire is a steady leader at quarterback. He has experience and was an honorable mention league all-star last season. His top weapons through the air will likely be junior tight end Tom Feenstra and sophomore receiver Ethan Murphy. Cape Elizabeth’s well known for its rushing attack and even after human bowling ball Andrew Lavallee graduated, the Capers will continue to move the ball on the ground. Wilson, along with juniors Nick Moulton and Tony Moulton and yes, one more Lavallee, sophomore Christian, will also have an opportunity to carry the ball. Sophomore Noah Wolfinger is the backup quarterback and will likely see some time as the season progresses. The offensive line features Petsinger and first-team all-star Snowden. Junior Caelan Houle will also play a role. Up front on defense, Feenstra, Houle, Nick Moulton, Snowden and Wolfinger will reign supreme. The linebacking corps includes Lavallee and Petsinger. In the secondary, Maguire, Tony Moulton and Wilson look to make plays. There isn’t a lot of preseason buzz around this program, but Filieo probably likes it that way. Let defending champion Wells, perennial powerhouse Mountain Valley and teams like York, Greely and Falmouth get the attention. It will take some time for Cape Elizabeth to hit its stride and the schedule is daunting, but the Capers should manage to extend their postseason streak and once there, be the team no one wants to face.

BOYS’ SOCCER

COACH: Ben Raymond (seventh year, 56-27-13 overall record)

2011 Record: 8-5-3 (Lost, 5-0, to Windham in Western Class A quarterfinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Alex Bornick (Senior), Cam Caswell (Senior), Maam Fall (Senior), Chris Gallant (Senior), Adam Haversat (Senior), Charlie Laprade (Senior), Stefan LaRose (Senior), Brett Parker (Senior), Chad Peterson (Senior), Austin Andrews (Junior), Eli Breed (Junior), Omar Khalidi (Junior), Cole Caswell (Sophomore), Eddie Galvin (Sophomore), Noah Haversat (Sophomore), Griffin Thoreck (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Aug. 31 @ Falmouth, Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 11 (H) YORK, Sept. 15 (H) YARMOUTH, Sept. 21 (H) GREELY, Sept. 27 @ York, Oct. 2 @ Greely, Oct. 9 (H) FALMOUTH, Oct. 15 (H) WAYNFLETE

COACH’S COMMENT: “We graduated a very good senior class. This team should be very well balanced with many people taking responsibility for success during the season. We will not be dependent upon one player to score goals. We will need to play as a cohesive team if we are to be successful. We will play many midfielders and keep them fresh and ready to run and defensively, we will be solid, returning players with lots of experience. Expectations are always high. We expect to make the playoffs and from there go deeper then last season. One of our main goals this season is to win the ‘Brady Cup.’”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: The graduation of all-stater and prolific scorer Timmy Lavallee and league all-star Blake Barritt aside, the Capers enter the 2012 season in good shape. This will be a different team, one which relies on a lot of players to tickle the twine, but Cape Elizabeth will likely hold its own against Brady Cup rivals (Falmouth, Greely and Yarmouth) and be one of the region’s best squads by late October. This year’s offense will likely be paced by Bornick, Breed, Cole Caswell, Fall and Laprade. Gallant, Adam Haversat, Noah Haversat, Khalidi and Peterson will also be dangerous. Defensively, the Capers feature Cam Caswell, Galvin, LaRose and Thoreck. Cape Elizabeth has the luxury of relying on two goalies. Parker had a 69 percent save average and a 1.6 goals against average last season. He’s joined by Andrews (80 percent saves, .83 goals against in 2011). While there aren’t a lot of perceived standouts on the roster, on balance, this squad is very deep, talented and will be driven to succeed. As always, the Capers have a very challenging schedule, one which will limit their won-loss record, but Cape Elizabeth will be battle tested by the time the playoffs arrive (if they qualify, it will be 27 straight postseasons for this program). It’s hard to imagine teams enjoying playing the Capers. That’s because they’ll battle for 80 minutes, will play smart and will rely on everyone on the pitch. This could be a team that by late October is considered a surprise, but if Cape Elizabeth goes on a long postseason run, it shouldn’t be that shocking. This roster has what it takes to accomplish great things.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

COACH: Luke Krawczyk (second year, 12-2-2 overall record)

2011 Record: 12-2-2 (Lost, 2-1, in 2 OTs, to Scarborough in Western Class A semifinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Courtney Guerette (Senior), Erin Lyons (Senior), Talley Perkins (Senior), Maddie Riker (Senior), Jenna Wallace (Senior), Lizzie Raftice (Junior), Phoebe Shields (Junior), Emily Spidle (Junior), Addi Wood (Junior), Kathryn Clark (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Aug. 31 (H) FALMOUTH, Sept. 7 (H) YARMOUTH, Sept. 11 @ York, Sept. 15 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 21 @ Greely, Sept. 27 (H) YORK, Oct. 2 (H) GREELY, Oct. 5 @ Freeport, Oct. 9 @ Falmouth, Oct. 15 @ Waynflete

COACH’S COMMENT: “We are a young and fairly inexperienced team who will try and be as positive as possible in possessions of the ball and being disciplined without the ball. We will heavily rely on playing as a team and trusting each other. We hope to be competitive in every game we play and to improve as the season goes on.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Cape Elizabeth made a great run a year ago, led by Fall Female Athlete of the Year Melanie Vangel’s goal scoring. Vangel has moved on to prep school, so this year’s team will have a different look, but the Capers still project to be a top team in the Western Maine Conference. Looking to fill the scoring void will be Clark, Perkins, Raftice, all-conference and all-region selection Riker, Wallace and Wood. Defensively, Guerette, Lyons, Shields and Spidle will hold the fort in front of new goalie, junior Mary Perkins, who replaces graduated all-star Ali Johnson. Cape Elizabeth has only missed the playoffs once since 1994. It’s used to playing the finest teams in the state during the regular season and that schedule will make the Capers battled hardened for when the games matter the most. Can this squad find consistent offense? If so, Cape Elizabeth will be heard from all the way through. This will be an intriguing team to watch. There are a lot of good athletes who got a taste of coming oh-so-close in 2011. Look for the Capers to battle to the end again.

FIELD HOCKEY

COACH: Darci Holland (sixth year, 26-42-6 overall record)

2011 Record: 3-10-1 (no postseason)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Julianne Ayers (Senior), Moriah Brown (Senior), Jane Coffrin (Senior), Jeannette Lalouche (Senior), Sam Altznauer (Junior), Abby McInerney (Junior), Hannah Newhall (Junior), Hailey Petsinger (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Aug. 31 (H) FALMOUTH, Sept. 4 (H) YORK, Sept. 20 @ Greely, Sept. 24 @ York, Oct. 1 (H) GREELY, Oct. 4 @ Falmouth, Oct. 10 (H) YARMOUTH

COACH’S COMMENT: “I’m looking for scoring this year. Last year we struggled to finish shots and get it in the goal and it resulted in a lot of 1-0 and 2-0 losses, which are tough. We’ve been really focusing on scoring and getting the shots off in practices, so hopefully it will transfer into games. I have a handful of experienced girls who work well together on and off the field. They know how each other plays and where they’re going to go with the ball. A lot of these girls came off a successful lacrosse season, so I’m hoping we can make it happen this year on the field hockey field.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: If the lacrosse players take what they accomplished and channel it into field hockey, look out. The Capers might have been the best girls’ lacrosse team in the state in the spring and suffered an agonizing loss (their only setback of the season) in “sudden victory” overtime of the regional final. This autumn, Cape Elizabeth stands to improve and could get back in the playoff mix, where it’s accustomed to being. Having all-star goalie Ayers return in the cage is a great backbone for the squad. Defensively, Brown and Lalouche will make their presence felt. There are several potential weapons on offense. Altznauer, Coffrin, McInerney, Newhall, Petsinger and senior Lauren Steidl (Cape Elizabeth’s Spring Female Athlete of the Year and lacrosse All-American who is back from an ankle injury) are in that mix. A quartet of sophomores, Caroline Garfield, Julia Ginder, Michaela Pinnette and Hannah Preble, bring depth to the midfield. If the Capers can rattle the cage with regularity, they’ll be able to play with anyone. Expect Cape Elizabeth to double (or better) last year’s win total and not just qualify for the playoffs, but perhaps be a team that goes on a stirring run.

CROSS COUNTRY

COACHES:
(BOYS): Derek Veilleux (third year)
(GIRLS): Amber Cronin (first year)

2011 Results:
(BOYS) 5th @ Class B state meet
(GIRLS) 4th @ Class B state meet

TOP RETURNING RUNNERS
BOYS: Peter Doane (Junior), Trevor Ewald (Junior), Julian Pelzer (Junior), Liam Simpson (Junior) , Tim Brigham (Sophomore), Kyle Kennedy (Sophomore)
GIRLS: Ellen Best (Senior), Emma Inhorn (Senior), Dana Hatton (Junior)

TOP FOES: Falmouth, Freeport, Greely, York

COACH VEILLEUX’S COMMENT: “The boys put in a great summer of training and have been laying the groundwork for a successful season. We return five of our top seven from a team that was regional runner-up, including our top two runners in Peter and Liam. Kyle has made a huge jump this summer. He was our No. 8 runner last year. Other returners give us quality depth. Our goal as a team is to improve steadily throughout the season, running our best during the championship season. With no clear-cut favorite in Class B this year, the team title is wide open. We hope to stay injury free and be able to make a run at it.”

COACH CRONIN’S COMMENT: “I want to focus on keeping our top seven close. We’ll score points by being a tight-knit group. Our newcomers will contribute a lot. I’d like to be top five at states. Our new people could help us break in to the top five. We should be very competitive at the Western Maine Conference meet.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Both Cape Elizabeth cross country teams are coming off strong seasons and look to do even better in 2012.

The boys return Doane (eighth at the Class B state meet and a first-team conference all-star), Simpson (20th at states and a second team all-star), Brigham (53rd) and Pelzer (60th). Filling in the pack will be Ewald and Kennedy, along with new junior Will Britton, who could emerge as one of the leaders, and freshmen Justin Guerette and John Moen. The Capers have the challenge of going up against several elite programs in the conference, meaning the regular season will prove challenging. That should steel Cape Elizabeth for the big meets, where top five spots (or better) are realistic finishes. If the new runners perform as hoped, the Capers might wind up taking the whole thing.

On the girls’ side, the program welcomes a new coach in Cronin, who ran cross country, indoor and outdoor track at Bonny Eagle and cross country and outdoor track at Colby-Sawyer. She’s a marathon runner, who recently competed at the Beach to Beacon, served as an assistant coach last year with the Capers’ indoor and outdoor programs, and oh by the way, is a reporter for The Forecaster in real life. Cronin inherits a squad that is small in numbers, but potentially high in quality. Inhorn (30th) and Best (35th) each scored at last year’s state meet. Best made the all-conference first-team, while Inhorn was named to the second-team. Hatton also has experience. Keep an eye on new junior Sarah Long, sophomore Rhoen Fiutah and freshman Sam Feenstra as well. The Capers will only get better between now and October and have the capacity to do even better than last year at the conference, regional and state meets.

GOLF

COACH: Tim Desmaris (first year)

2011 Results: 8-3 (8th @ Class B state match)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Jackson Berman (Senior), Zander Schonewolf (Senior), Reese McFarlane (Sophomore)

TOP FOES: Yarmouth, York

COACH’S COMMENT: “We had a big turnout this fall. It’s a good crew. We should be a No. 1 or No. 2 contender. My goal is to win (states). Last year, we got there, but we didn’t finish. Reese set a record last year with scoring average related to par. He could win (states) as an individual.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Cape Elizabeth had another solid season in 2011 and this year welcomes Desmaris as head coach. He was an assistant coach last fall. A Saco native, Desmaris played at Thornton Academy and Roanoke (Va.) College. He’s the assistant golf pro at Purpoodock, the Capers’ home course. He returns two players who scored at the individual state meet a year ago, McFarlane (who shot a 79) and Schonewolf (93). McFarlane, a league all-star in 2011, could make a run at the top spot this fall. Berman also has experience. If Cape Elizabeth can develop a steady fourth scorer, it will be in good shape. The Capers should post another impressive regular season record and make it to the state match. Cape Elizabeth has the pieces in place to earn some individual and team hardware come October.

VOLLEYBALL

COACH: Rob Thompson (fifth year)

2011 Record: 5-9 (no postseason)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Mireia Odlin (Senior), Natalie Underdown (Senior), Emma O’Rourke (Junior)

PIVOTAL MATCHES: Aug. 31 @ Biddeford, Sept. 6 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 21 (H) SCARBOROUGH, Sept. 27 (H) FALMOUTH, Oct. 10 (H) GREELY

COACH’S COMMENT: “With six returning seniors and some very strong juniors and sophomores, we are looking forward to the season. Our goal is to come together and work efficiently as a team early in the season and be as competitive as we can be. Our program continues to get better and better. We have 50 players distributed between our Varsity, JV, and first teams and continue to get more players at tryouts every year. We like that.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Cape Elizabeth made some nice strides last season and the still-young program could be on the verge of its first trip to the playoffs if all goes well. This year’s team will be led by middle hitters Odlin (who had a kill percentage of 36 percent and was ranked ninth in kills last year) and Underdown (rated ninth, 25 percent, in kills) and opposite hitter O’Rourke (ninth in the state in digs with 81 in 2011). They’re joined by junior setter Sophie Moore. There’s a good mix of experience and youth and this continues to be a work in progress. The Capers aren’t at the elite level yet, but should be able to win their share of matches, perhaps exceed last year’s win total and make history with a playoff berth. This program is only getting better and will continue its upward trend.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

Senior Alex Bornick will look to score a lot of goals this season.

Griffin Thoreck contributed to the varsity team as a freshman. He looks to play a bigger role this fall.

Junior Omar Khalidi will play a big role on this year’s team.

Senior Adam Haversat is a steady leader in the midfield for the Capers.

Junior Lizzy Raftice will be a talent at midfield.

Junior Peter Doane was one of the conference’s top runners last season.

Junior Liam Simpson is another top returner for the Capers.

Senior captain Ellen Best is a top returner for the Capers this fall.

Senior Emma Inhorn is another captain and top runner.

Fall Schedules

FOOTBALL

Fri., Aug. 31 H WELLS

Fri., Sept. 7 @ York

Fri., Sept. 14 H LAKE REGION

Fri., Sept. 21 @ Falmouth

Fri., Sept. 28 H WESTBROOK

Fri., Oct. 5 @ Marshwood

Fri., Oct. 12 H FRYEBURG

Fri., Oct. 19 @ Mountain Valley

BOYS’ SOCCER

Fri., Aug. 31 @ Falmouth

Tues., Sept. 4 H FRYEBURG

Sat., Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth

Tues., Sept. 11 H YORK

Sat., Sept. 15 H YARMOUTH

Fri., Sept. 21 H GREELY

Mon., Sept. 24 @ Lake Region

Thurs., Sept. 27 @ York

Tues., Oct. 2 @ Greely

Fri., Oct. 5 H FREEPORT

Tues., Oct. 9 H FALMOUTH

Thurs. Oct. 11 @ Sacopee

Sat., Oct. 13 @ Gray-NG

Mon., Oct. 15 H WAYNFLETE

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Fri., Aug. 31 H FALMOUTH

Tues., Sept. 4 @ Fryeburg

Fri., Sept. 7 H YARMOUTH

Tues., Sept. 11 @ York

Thurs., Sept. 13 H WELLS

Sat., Sept. 15 @ Yarmouth

Fri., Sept. 21 @ Greely

Mon., Sept. 24 H LAKE REGION

Thurs., Sept. 27 H YORK

Tues., Oct. 2 H GREELY

Fri., Oct. 5 @ Freeport

Tues., Oct. 9 @ Falmouth

Sat., Oct. 13 H GRAY-NG

Mon., Oct. 15 @ Waynflete

FIELD HOCKEY

Wed., Aug. 29 @ Gray-NG

Fri., Aug. 31 H FALMOUTH

Tues., Sept. 4 H YORK

Thurs., Sept. 6 @ Wells

Wed., Sept. 12 H TRAIP

Fri., Sept. 14 @ Lake Region

Tues., Sept. 18 @ Fryeburg

Thurs., Sept. 20 @ Greely

Sat., Sept. 22 H FRYEBURG

Mon., Sept. 24 @ York

Sat., Sept. 29 H WELLS

Mon., Oct. 1 H GREELY

Thurs., Oct. 4 @ Falmouth

Wed., Oct. 10 H YARMOUTH

CROSS COUNTRY

Fri., Oct. 12 WMC Championships

Sat., Oct. 20 Western B Regionals

Sat., Oct. 27 Class B States

VOLLEYBALL

Fri., Aug. 31 @ Biddeford

Tues., Sept. 4 H GORHAM

Thurs., Sept. 6 @ Yarmouth

Mon., Sept. 10 H LAKE REGION

Wed., Sept. 19 @ Kennebunk

Fri., Sept. 21 H SCARBOROUGH

Mon., Sept. 24 H NYA

Thurs., Sept. 27 H FALMOUTH

Sat., Sept. 29 @ Ellsworth

Sat., Sept. 29 @ MDI

Wed., Oct. 3 @ Gorham

Sat., Oct. 6 @ Windham

Wed., Oct. 10 H GREELY

Fri., Oct. 12 H CHEVERUS

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Senior quarterback Connor Maguire and the Cape Elizabeth football team are seeking another playoff appearance.

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