(Ed. Note: For the complete Cheverus-Scarborough girls’ soccer game story, please visit theforecaster.net)

As the stretch run of the 2010 fall sports season grows nearer, teams are keeping a closer eye on the standings and will look to make the most of every remaining outing. Here’s a look at where things stand as September gives way to October:

Boys’ soccer

The Waynflete boys’ soccer has picked up where it left off a year ago and entered the week with a 4-0-1 mark, good for fifth in the Western Class C Heal Points standings. Last week, the Flyers settled for a 1-1 tie at Sacopee, then won at Traip, 3-1. In the deadlock, sophomore Paul Runyambo delivered the tying goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Zander Majercik stopped eight shots. In the victory, Runyambo scored again and senior Omar Abdille added a pair of goals. Waynflete goes to former Class D rival Richmond Thursday, plays at North Yarmouth Academy Saturday and visits improved Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

In Western A, Portland and Cheverus remain in the playoff hunt, while Deering has some work to do.

The Bulldogs entered Tuesday’s game at Biddeford with a 5-1-1 mark, good for the No. 5 spot in the Heals. Last week, Portland was a 3-2 home winner over Sanford, then earned a huge 1-0 victory at Gorham, which recently ended two-time state champion Scarborough’s 40-match win streak. Against the Redskins, junior Paley Burlin and sophomore Tim Rovnak scored in the first half and senior Fazal Nabi delivered the game winner in the 79th minute. Junior Alan Tuyishime had the lone goal against the Rams.

“I’m glad to see our players working hard throughout games and matching the intensity of their opponents,” said Bulldogs coach Rocky Frenzilli.

Portland hosts Westbrook Thursday and goes to Cheverus Tuesday.

The Stags won, 4-2, at home over Noble last Tuesday (senior Derek DeLuca, juniors Nick Melville and Griffin Miller and sophomore Parker Doyon had the goals), then lost, 2-0, at Scarborough Thursday to fall to 4-2-1 (sixth in Western A). Cheverus hosted Windham Tuesday, goes to Kennebunk Thursday, then comes home to battle Portland next Tuesday.

The Rams dropped to 1-5-1 after losses last week at home to Gorham (2-0) and at Noble (4-3). Senior Charlie Dupee had a pair of goals against the Knights. Deering (13th in Western A) was at South Portland, hosts Biddeford Thursday and is home against Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Cheverus was undefeated at 5-0-1 after a 4-0 home win over Noble, but the Stags then crashed to earth with back-to-back 2-0 losses to Scarborough and Thornton Academy.

“We were pretty nervous those first 10 minutes (against Scarborough),” said Cheverus coach Dan LaVallee. “We have a ridiculously young team. The more we’re in these pressure-filled games, the better off we’ll be in the end. In my opinion, I think the difference in the game was finishing. They finished their chances and we obviously didn’t finish ours. We had good opportunities. If one went in, it would have been a different game, but saying that, they had their chances too. We have to get used to playing in these types of games. That’s what the playoffs are like.”

Cheverus (which remained first in the Western A Heals as of Monday) goes to Windham Wednesday and hosts Kennebunk Friday.

Deering entered the week 4-3 and sixth in Western A after losing at Marshwood (2-1) and beating visiting Massabesic (6-0). Senior Tina Merrill (from sophomore Chelsea Saucier) had the goal in the setback. Against the Mustangs, junior Alexis Sivovlos scored twice, while Saucier, seniors Amanda Masse and Aarika Viola and freshman Alexis Elowitch each had one goal. The Rams are home with McAuley Wednesday night and go to Biddeford Saturday.

The Lions remain in the Western A hunt. McAuley had a little of everything last week, falling, 2-0, at Gorham, winning, 1-0, at Westbrook, then tying visiting Sanford, 1-1. Sophomore Hannah Coke scored and classmate Molly Miller had 11 saves in the win over the Blue Blazes. Junior Olivia Crozier had the goal against the Redskins. The Lions (ninth in the Western A Heals) go to Deering Wednesday and host Scarborough Friday.

Portland is still looking for a win, but the Bulldogs have gotten closer. Last week, Portland lost 3-0 at Marshwood, 6-0 at Sanford, then almost upset perennial power Gorham before falling at home, 2-1.

“The scores are not indicative of the progress we continue to make,” said Portland coach Dave Levasseur. “We’ve changed our basic formation and hope to keep adding valuable varsity minutes to a relatively inexperienced group. My seniors are staying positive and becoming true leaders and the rest of the team has taken on the same energy, so I’m very happy with the character we’re showing in practice and in matches.”

The Bulldogs (0-8 and 19th in Western A) host Biddeford Wednesday and visit Westbrook Friday.

In Western C, Waynflete lost, 2-1, at home to Sacopee last Wednesday, then improved to 3-2 Friday after a 5-0 victory over visiting Traip. Sophomore Sadie Cole had the lone goal against the Hawks. In the victory, freshman Ella Millard scored twice. The Flyers (eighth in the Heals) went to Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, visit NYA Saturday and play at Gray-New Gloucester next Tuesday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team bounced back from its lone loss with wins last week at Westbrook (1-0) and at home over Biddeford (5-0). Junior Sarah LaQuerre scored twice against the Tigers. Junior Ali Saxton and sophomores Gabi Cardona and Staci Swallow also rattled the cage. The Stags (who are being proflied on the new show, “Varsity,” airing Sundays at 9 and 9:30 p.m., on WPME, Time Warner Channel 17) were first in the Western A Heals at the start of the week. They’re at Gorham Thursday, host Marshwood Friday and play at McAuley Monday.

The Lions were 3-5 and 15th in Western A after a 2-1 home loss to Sanford Saturday. Senior Tori Tennenbaum had the McAuley goal. Junior Jamie LaCasse made seven saves. McAuley was at South Portland Tuesday, plays host to Westbrook Thursday, visits Biddeford Saturday and welcomes Cheverus Monday.

Portland fell to 3-4 after a 2-0 home loss to Kennebunk Friday. Junior goalie Kathleen Dalbec made 13 saves. The Bulldogs (12th in Western A) went to Sanford Tuesday, play at South Portland Thursday, visit Westbrook Saturday and play host to Biddeford Monday.

Deering dropped to 0-8 last Wednesday after a 3-2 overtime loss at Windham. Junior Sara Brink and freshman Amanda LeMoult had their first varsity goals in defeat. The Rams (17th in the Heals) hoped to get in the win column Tuesday when they hosted Bonny Eagle. Deering is at Kennebunk in a battle of Rams Saturday and welcomes Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete entered the week 3-4-1 and eighth in the standings. The Flyers lost, 11-0, at NYA last Tuesday, defeated host Traip, 2-1, three days later, then fell, 5-0, at Sacopee Saturday. In the victory, senior Lindsey Sinicki had both goals, including the game winner. Waynflete was at Old Orchard Beach Monday, hosts Freeport Wednesday, visits Traip Friday and plays host to Old Orchard Beach Saturday.

Cross-country

Local cross-country teams took part in the sizzling Southwestern Classic, a rare joint WMC-SMAA meet at Twin Brook in Cumberland. Temperatures in the 80s wreaked havoc on the race, but there were plenty of memorable performances.

The defending Class A state champion Cheverus girls, ranked first in the latest coaches’ poll, topped 20 other teams to win the meet. Junior Emily Durgin was second to Kennebunk standout Abbey Leonardi individually in a time of 19 minutes, 22 seconds. Waynflete (led by sophomore Martha Veroneau, ninth, 21:28) was ninth. McAuley came in 18th as Taxia Arabatzis finished 38th (23:20). Portland finished 19th. Maxine Eisenberg (96th, 26:15) was the top Bulldog. Deering didn’t score as a team, but junior Ella Ramonas was 13th (21:51).

On the boys’ side, Waynflete led the local charge with a 10th-place finish (Gorham was first). Flyers junior Abshir Horor was runner-up to Fryeburg’s Silas Eastman in 17:17.76. Cheverus, the defending Class A champion, finished 11th. Lukas Temple (38th, 18:58.06) led the way. Senior standout Jack Terwilliger did not run. Portland placed 17th. Dexter Morse was the fastest Bulldog (27th, 18:41.30). Deering didn’t score as a team. Gabe Turner finished 56th (19:13.24).

Looking ahead, on Wednesday, Cheverus joins Bonny Eagle and Kennebunk at Noble, McAuley hosts Gorham and Marshwood and Portland (with Sanford and Scarborough) runs at Biddeford. Thursday, Deering and Thornton Academy compete at Windham. Waynflete will take part in the cross country Festival of Champions in Belfast Saturday.

Golf

The Western Maine Conference golf state meet qualifier is Friday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, site of the state match. Waynflete will take part. The Flyers finished their regular season with an 0-10 mark.

The Southern Maine Activities Association qualifier is Monday, Oct. 4 at Natanis. The three division winners automatically qualify and the next three teams will also take part at the state match on Oct. 9.

Deering continues to excel in its quest for a second title in three years. The Rams took a 7-1-1 mark into Monday’s match at home against Portland. Deering closes the regular season Wednesday at home against Westbrook.

Cheverus fell to 4-4 after an 11-2 loss to South Portland Friday. The Stags hosted Westbrook Monday and welcome Scarborough Wednesday.

Portland was 1-6-1 entering the final week of the regular season. After playing at Deering Monday, the Bulldogs close Wednesday at South Portland.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Sidebar Elements

---

McAuley junior Kathryn O’Donoghue sends the ball flying during her team’s 1-1 home tie against Sanford Saturday.

Waynflete sophomore Jo Moore battles for possession during last week’s 11-0 loss at defending regional champion NYA. The Flyers entered the week 3-4-1.

Waynflete senior Luke Wendland launches a shot during last week’s match against NYA, a match won by the Panthers.

Copy the Story Link