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:

Football

While Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough’s football teams were enjoying victories last Friday (please see stories), South Portland was falling to 2-2 on the year after a hard-fought 21-14 setback at Bonny Eagle. The Red Riots got a pair of long TD passes from senior quarterback Tommy Ellis (80-yards to senior Stephen Hodge and 72-yards to junior Logan Gaddar), but the Scots punched in the go-ahead score with just eight seconds to go.

South Portland looks to get back on track Friday night when it hosts 1-3 Noble. Last year, the Red Riots won, 36-0, at the Knights.

Boys’ soccer

South Portland’s boys’ soccer team has positioned itself right in the thick of the Western A race (please see story), while Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth are at the top.

The two-time defending Class A state champion Red Storm bounced back from their first loss in three seasons with a 2-0 win at Westbrook, then improved to 6-1 last Thursday with a 2-0 home victory over Cheverus. Senior Kevin Philbrick had a goal in each half. Scarborough was scheduled to play at Kennebunk Tuesday, but that game was postponed to Saturday (9 a.m.) due to bad weather. The Red Storm (first in the Western A Heal Points standings, as of Wednesday) played at Noble Thursday and go to Deering Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth is second in Western A with a 7-0-1 mark. The only blemish on the Capers’ record came last Thursday when they tied visiting Yarmouth, 1-1. Cape Elizabeth drew even late on senior Andy Lynch’s goal. With less than five minutes to go in regulation, the lights went out and the teams agreed to settle for the draw.

“That was a big stretch to get through,” said Capers coach Ben Raymond. “Falmouth, Yarmouth, Greely, York, all right in a row. It feels like we’ve played five games in the last nine days. Everybody is pretty tired.”

Cape Elizabeth rolled, 7-0, at Poland Friday and blanked visiting Fryeburg, 4-0, Tuesday. Lynch and juniors Blake Barritt, Forest Hewitt and Tim Lavallee all scored against the Raiders. The Capers were at Gray-New Gloucester Thursday and play host to Greely Tuesday.

Greater Portland Christian School is now 4-3 and fourth in Western D after recent road wins over A.R. Gould (6-3) and Highview Christian Academy (7-1). Standout Anthony Simpson had three goals against A.R. Gould, while Ben Hammond scored once and added three assists. Ryan Waugh and Than Peterson also scored. In the victory over Highview, Simpson scored four times to give him 23 goals for the season. Adam Simpson, Ben Hammond and Matt Hammond also scored.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Scarborough continues to lead the way in Western A. Last Thursday, the Red Storm won a battle of unbeatens at Cheverus, 2-0. Seniors Erica Meader and Cortney Hughes had the goals, while junior Emily Tolman and her defensive mates held the Stags at bay.

“Our coach warned us beforehand that (Cheverus would) be really fast and strong,” Tolman said. “We had to contain them, win the ball in the air and not lunge.”

“Our backs did a really good job,” added Red Storm coach Mike Farley. “(Cheverus) has athletic forwards. We didn’t play as well as we can play, but we weathered the storm and did a good job of shutting them down.”

Scarborough improved to 7-0 Saturday with a 4-0 home victory over South Portland, avenging last year’s lone regular season loss in the process. Juniors Haley Carignan and Meghan Tyson gave the Red Storm an immediate 2-0 lead and senior Margaret Palmer and junior Kaitlin Reynolds added goals to put it away.

Scarborough (first in the Heals) hosted Kennebunk Wednesday, visits McAuley Friday and plays host to Windham Monday.

South Portland’s loss to Scarborough was its second in a row, coming on the heels of a 1-0 home setback to Sanford. The Red Riots (15th in the standings) hosted Bonny Eagle Wednesday and welcome Windham Friday.

Cape Elizabeth lost, 3-1, at home to Yarmouth last Thursday (senior Karyn Barrett had the lone goal), but snapped a three-game skid Saturday with a 5-0 home win over Poland (Barrett had two goals and senior Olivia Bornick, junior Ziana Merlim and sophomore Maddy Riker all had one). Tuesday, the Capers improved to 5-3 with a 4-0 win at Fryeburg. Barrett scored twice, while Riker and Bornick also had goals. The Capers eighth in the Heals) were home against Gray-New Gloucester Thursday and visits Greely Tuesday.

GPCS is 2-2-1 and sixth in Western D after recent losses to Richmond (7-0) and Vinalhaven (3-1).

Field hockey

All three local field hockey teams are surging.

Scarborough, the defending state champion, was 7-0 and second to Cheverus in the Western A Heals at press time. Last Wednesday, the Red Storm rolled visiting Massabesic, 9-1, behind three goals each from senior Sarah Bunting and junior Lindsay Dobecki. Scarborough was supposed to be at Noble Tuesday, but that game was postponed by rain. No makeup date had been announced by press time. The Red Storm were home with rival Sanford Thursday and go to South Portland Saturday (game time has been moved up to 9:30 a.m.).  Monday, Scarborough hosts Westbrook.

Speaking of the Red Riots, they’ve won four in a row and are right back in the playoff hunt. South Portland blanked host Marshwood, 2-0, last Wednesday, then improved to 4-4 Tuesday with a 4-0 home win over McAuley (senior Felicia Farnham scored twice). The Red Riots (fifth in Western A) were at Portland Thursday, host Scarborough Saturday and go to Thornton Academy Monday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth won, 2-1, at Yarmouth last Thursday (senior Ally Boyington and sophomore Jane Coffrin had the goals), lost, 1-0, at home to Fryeburg Saturday, then, Monday, in its home finale, held off visiting Greely, 2-1, behind goals from senior Kelsey Maguire and freshman Hanna Newhall, to improve to 6-3-1 (good for fifth in the Heals).

“This is the girls’ first win over Greely since the seniors’ freshman year,” said Capers coach Darci Holland. “It’s a huge win for them. We’ve had letdowns all season after getting scored on, so for us to play the way we did was great.”

Cape Elizabeth visited defending regional champion York Wednesday, goes to Wells Friday, visits Greely Tuesday and closes the regular season at Falmouth Oct. 8.

Cross country

Scarborough and South Portland took part at the Southwestern Classic, a joint Southern Maine Activities Association-Western Maine Conference meet, Saturday in Cumberland. Despite the sizzling conditions, locals did well.

The Red Storm boys (tied for third in the latest coaches’ poll) came in third behind Gorham and Greely. South Portland finished 22nd. Scarborough junior Nick Morris was third individually (17 minutes, 26.31 seconds). The Red Riots were led by senior Sam Redstone (31st, 18:42.09).

In the girls’ competition, won by Cheverus, Scarborough placed fifth, while South Portland came in 12th. Red Riots sophomore Nyajock Pan had the 11th-best time (21:37). Red Storm senior Sarah Dugas placed 14th (21:56).

South Portland joined Massabesic at Westbrook Wednesday. Scarborough will compete in the cross country Festival of Champions in Belfast Saturday.

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ team spent last weekend at the Ocean State New Balance meet in Rhode Island, where the Capers (second to Cheverus in the coaches’ poll) came in fifth. Senior Kelsey Barton was 20th (20:45). Cape Elizabeth’s boys (ffith in the coaches’ poll) didn’t compete last weekend. Both Capers teams join Merriconeag and Poland at Freeport Friday.

Golf

The Western Maine Conference golf state meet qualifier is Friday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, site of the state match. Cape Elizabeth (2-7) will take part.

The Southern Maine Activities Association qualifier is Monday at Natanis. The three division winners automatically qualify and the next three teams will also take part at the state match on Oct. 9. Scarborough (7-1-1) and South Portland (4-5) like their chances.

Volleyball

Scarborough’s volleyball team almost upset perennial champion Greely Tuesday night. The Red Storm, coming off a four-game loss to undefeated Falmouth (22-25, 23-25, 25-15, 23-25), despite 20 kills and five aces from junior Brittany Bona, 26 assists from junior Emily Robbins and 13 digs from senior Bridget Hicks, fell to 3-6 after taking the Rangers to wire before falling, 12-25, 18-25, 28-26, 25-14, 11-15. Bona had 12 kills, eight digs and four blocks, while Robbins finished with 23 assists.

Scarborough (fifth in the Class A Heals) goes to Gorham Monday.

Cape Elizabeth is 0-8 and 11th in Class A after recent losses to Kennebunk (3-1) and Yarmouth (3-0). The Capers host Kennebunk Friday and visit Gorham Tuesday.

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

Sidebar Elements

---

Cape Elizabeth senior Lucy Hewitt fires a shot during her team’s 3-0 home loss to Yarmouth Friday night.