(For the complete Waynflete-Cape Elizabeth boys’ soccer game story, with additional photos, please visit theforecaster.net)

Things are sure getting exciting for fall sports teams.

While field hockey’s playoffs have begun and football is nearing its regular season conclusion (please see stories), golf provided a local highlight over the weekend, while soccer and cross country are about to embark upon their postseasons.

All five city schools will be involved in the action and here’s a look at where things stand as of Monday morning.

Golf

The Maine Principals’ Association held the Class A, B and C boys’ and one class of girls’ individual golf championships Saturday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

Deering senior Joe Walp stole the show, tying Sanford’s Ben Bell with a 75, as both were named co-Class A individual champions. Walp was two over and four strokes back through nine holes, but thanks to birdies on 13, 14 and 15, was in great shape. He did bogey 17 and 18 and wound up in the tie.

“He had a great comeback,” said Rams coach Billy Goodman. “In my opinion, on any given day, he’s the best golfer in the state, any class. He had an under 35 average this fall. That’s amazing. He has a good head on his shoulders. A great all-around kid.”

Cheverus’ Mike Haas-Zanghi placed fifth with a 78. Deering’s Rocco Spizuoco (82) tied for 11th. Deering’s Mike Barlock (90) tied for 21st. Cheverus’ Chris Billings (92) tied for 27th.

In the girls’ championships, won by Fort Kent’s Ali Prescott (87), Deering’s Austin Lemoult tied for 29th with a 114. Teammate Delaney Loring (115) was 31st. Cheverus’ Maria Cianchette (118) came in 32nd.

Boys’ soccer

Waynflete’s boys’ soccer team entered its finale Monday at home versus Fryeburg unbeaten and second to St. Dom’s in the Western Class C Heal Points standings. Last week, the Flyers beat host Gray-New Gloucester, 2-0 (behind goals from senior Mitch Newlin and junior Paul Runyambo), stunned visiting Cape Elizabeth, 1-0, in the first ever meeting between the schools, then rolled at Freeport, 5-1.

Against the Capers, sophomore Henry Cleaves scored a 40-yard goal in the first half, which stood up, thanks to several key saves from junior goalkeeper Zander Majercik.

“We played really well,” Cleaves said. “Beating a Class A team is always so special.”

“Anytime you can beat one of the most storied programs in the state, not to mention that they’re a really quality team this year, it’s a great win for our program,” added longtime Waynflete coach Brandon Salway. “I’ve got a lot of respect for the Cape soccer program. They carried the play and we were fortunate, but I was also proud of the way we played hard and fought even though we were a little gassed at times.”

In the win over the Falcons, senior William Cleaves and junior Peabo Knoth both scored twice.

The Flyers (10-0-3) would love to have as many home playoff games as possible, even though they’ve suffered agonizing losses on their field in each of the past two postseasons.

“I like that we’re resilient,” said Salway. “We seem to fight and make that one little extra play. You need some luck too. We haven’t had much luck the past couple of years. Maybe we’re due.”

In Western A, defending regional champion Portland entered the week 9-2-2 and third behind Scarborough and Windham in the Heals. The Bulldogs enjoyed a 4-0 home win over Bonny Eagle last Tuesday in their home finale. Senior Alain Tuyishime scored twice and junior Tim Rovnak and freshman Guled Hussain-Ali once each. Saturday, Portland dropped a 2-1 double overtime decision at South Portland, its first loss since Opening Day. Senior Paley Burlin had the Bulldogs’ goal. Portland closed the regular season Tuesday at Thornton Academy and should have at least one home playoff game.

Cheverus is in the mix for a home game as well. The Stags have won three straight and extended their unbeaten streak to six with wins last week at Massabesic (3-2), Deering (3-0) and over Bonny Eagle (3-1), in a game played at Cape Elizabeth’s turf field due to an unplayable surface at home. Against the Mustangs, seniors Elliot Maker and Nick Melville, along with junior Jim Campbell, all scored. In the win over the Rams, in the rain, Maker (from Melville, off a penalty corner) scored for a 1-0 halftime lead and Melville (on a penalty kick) and Maker struck in the second half for a 3-0 victory.

“We grinded through it,” said Cheverus coach Bill LeBlanc. “Deering’s a good squad. I thought we had 75 percent of the play. We’re not used to playing on turf so it took us awhile. The PK obviously broke their spirit a little bit. Maker’s a really good player. He knows how to score. He’s like a good striker in college. He’s streaky. He’s a D1 prospect. We have a great bunch of kids. Good senior leadership this year.”

Against the Scots, Maker had two goals and Melville one as the Stags improved to 10-2-1 (sixth in the Heals). Cheverus closed at home against Gorham Tuesday. A win likely gave the Stags a top four seed and a home playoff game.

“Depending how it works out, it could be for the three, four and five, six spot,” said LeBlanc. “The Gorham game is the difference maker for where we go.”

Deering’s playoff status was still up in the air at the start of the week. The Rams tied host Marshwood, 1-1 (senior Brandon Saucier had the goal) before losing at home to Cheverus.

In that game, the mother of former Ram Scott Fisher – who died from suicide in 2005 – gave a moving presentation on suicide prevention at halftime and awarded the Scott Fisher Mentor Award to junior Nate Finberg.

Saturday, Deering improved to 5-7-1 with a 1-0 victory at Biddeford (freshman Qutaiba Hasson scored the goal). The Rams (11th in the latest Heals, the top 12 teams make the playoffs) closed at home against Sanford Tuesday.

The playoffs begin with the preliminary round Saturday. The quarterfinals are Wednesday of next week. Both rounds will be contested on the fields of the higher seeded teams.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Waynflete saw its 10-game win streak finally come to an end last week with a 5-1 loss at Class A power Cape Elizabeth. The Flyers were actually even at the half, 1-1, on senior Lillian Harvey’s goal, before the Capers pulled away in the second half. Saturday, Waynflete improved to 11-2 with a 3-0 win over visiting Gray-New Gloucester in its home finale. Harvey, senior Becky Smith and sophomore Walker Foehl all scored.

“I think the reason why our team is doing so well this year is the girls are a really tight group,” said Flyers coach Todd Dominski. “They love being around each other and work hard for each other. They’re having a lot of fun just being together as a team. Also, they’re willing to put in the work to be successful.”

Waynflete closed at Fryeburg Monday. The Flyers were third behind Dirigo and Madison in the Western C Heals entering that game and were hoping to move up.

In Western A, Cheverus is playoff-bound once again. The Stags improved to 9-1-2 and sixth in the Heals bouncing back from their lone loss with a 2-0 home win over Massabesic and a 1-0 victory over Kennebunk, in a game played at Cape Elizabeth. Against the Mustangs, sophomore Sade Lyons and freshman Olivia Mull scored the goals. Sophomore Abby Maker had the lone goal in the win over the Rams. Cheverus was at Deering Monday and Gorham Tuesday, looking to move up in the standings.

The Rams of Deering also appear headed for the postseason. Last Tuesday, the Rams blanked visiting Marshwood, 3-0, as senior Alexis Sivovlos scored twice and sophomore Alexis Elowitch once. Sophomore goalkeeper Lee Ann Downs made five saves. Deering (6-5-1 and 12th in the Western A Heals, where 13 teams qualify) was home with Cheverus Monday and closed at Sanford Tuesday.

McAuley needed a win against visiting Gorham in its finale Monday to have any hope of qualifying for the postseason. The Lions beat visiting Biddeford, 3-0, last Tuesday and lost, 3-0, at Westbrook Saturday to take a 2-9-2 mark into their last contest. Senior Shelby Bryant, junior Delaney Regan and sophomore Olivia Smith had goals in the victory. McAuley was 16th in the standings, but only 13 teams make the cut.

Portland completed its home schedule Saturday with a 2-0 home loss to South Portland. The Bulldogs (0-12-1 and 19th in the standings) closed at Thornton Academy Tuesday.

The playoffs begin with the preliminary round Friday. The quarterfinals are Tuesday of next week. Both rounds will be contested on the fields of the higher seeded teams.

Cross country

Waynflete’s cross country team took part in the Western Maine Conference meet last weekend. The meet was originally scheduled for Falmouth’s Community Park Friday, but rain moved it to Saturday at St. Joseph’s College. The Flyers boys placed third behind North Yarmouth Academy and Fryeburg. Abshir Horor was the fastest team member, placing fourth in 17 minutes, 20.72 seconds. The girls were also third, behind Yarmouth and Merriconeag. Martha Veroneau was the individual champion with a time of 21:32.84.

Cheverus, Deering and Portland (along with South Portland) finished their regular seasons last Friday with a meet at McAuley. In the boys’ meet, the Red Riots were first, Stags second, Bulldogs third and Rams fourth. Portland’s Ben Allen was the fastest individual (17:29). Cheverus’ Brady Foshay (17:46) came in third. Tom Dean of Deering (17:49) placed fifth.

On the girls’ side, the Stags (the top-ranked team in the latest coaches’ poll) completed a perfect regular season with an easy win. The host Lions were third, Bulldogs fourth and Rams fifth. Individually, Cheverus’ Kiera Murray was first (19:47). Deering was paced by Ella Ramonas (fourth, 21:15). McAuley’s top finisher was Taxia Arabatzis (sixth, 21:44). Portland was led by Sarah Gale (14th, 23:06).

The regional championships will be held Saturday at Twin Brook Recreation Center in Portland. Class A girls run at 10 a.m., boys at 10:35 a.m. Waynflete takes part in the Class C races as the girls start at 11:10 a.m. and the boys at 11:45 a.m.

The state championships are the following Saturday, also at Twin Brook.

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

Sidebar Elements

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Waynflete freshman Clancy Mitchell eludes Cape Elizabeth’s Eddie Galvin during the teams’ first-ever meeting Wednesday. The Flyers sprung a 1-0 upset.

Waynflete’s Mohammed Suja boots the ball away from Cape Elizabeth’s Blake Barritt last week. The Flyers took a 13-game unbeaten streak into Monday’s regular season finale.