Every local varsity team is now underway and the fall sports season has produced plenty of excitement in the early going. Here’s a glimpse.

Boys’ soccer

The biggest local boys’ soccer news came Saturday night when Yarmouth finally beat Falmouth at home (please see story).

Elsewhere, Greely is unbeaten to date. The Rangers, who opened with a 1-0 home win over Gray-New Gloucester, dominated both host Wells (11-0) and visiting Poland (10-0) last week. Against the Warriors, Senior Chase Rochon had three goals, while senior Austin Spencer added a pair. In the win over the Knights, senior John Downey had three goals.

Greely’s slate is about to get much tougher. Thursday, the Rangers host Cape Elizabeth. Monday, they welcome Yarmouth and next Wednesday, Falmouth pays a visit.

Freeport is 0-3-1 at the start of the week. After falling, 3-0, at home to Yarmouth in the opener, the Falcons sandwiched losses to Fryeburg (2-1) and Gray-New Gloucester (5-0) around a 3-3 tie at Traip. Junior Jack Dawe scored against the Raiders and had all three goals in the tie.

Freeport was at Lake Region Tuesday and returns to action Monday at Wells.

North Yarmouth Academy dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker in its opener, at Cape Elizabeth, as the Capers scored in the final minute. The Panthers looked to balance their record when they hosted Traip Tuesday. Thursday brings a trip to rival Waynflete.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Yarmouth also enjoyed a big win over Falmouth (please see story).

Freeport is off to a good start. After giving Yarmouth a scare in a 2-1 home loss in the opener, the Falcons have defeated visiting Fryeburg (4-0), host Traip (2-1) and visiting Wells (4-2) to eclipse last year’s win total. Against the Raiders, senior Katee Poulin scored twice. Poulin and Ashley Richardson scored twice in the win over the Warriors.

Freeport hosted Lake Region Tuesday and play at Gray-New Gloucester Thursday.

Greely is 2-0 after decisive wins over visiting Wells (8-0) and host Poland (8-1). Against the Warriors, junior Audrey Parolin and sophomore Sammi Toorish both scored twice. In the win over the Knights, Toorish had three goals, while junior Sara Schad struck twice.

The Rangers return to action Thursday at Cape Elizabeth. Monday, they go to Yarmouth.

NYA beat host Traip in its opener, 2-1, in overtime, but has dropped two games since. Last Tuesday, the Panthers hosted Western A contender Cape Elizabeth and lost, 5-0. Senior goalie Caroline Bowne made five saves. Saturday, NYA fell, 4-1, at Old Orchard Beach, despite a goal from senior Lily Wellenbach.

The Panthers hope to balance their record at 2-2 Thursday when they visit Waynflete, which has eliminated NYA from each of the past two postseasons.

Field hockey

While Greely’s field hockey team is off to a great start (please see story), Falmouth finally shook off its early season close calls and got in the win column Saturday. The Yachtsmen who lost 2-1 to both Wells and Greely (in overtime) in the first week of action, fell, 1-0, at Cape Elizabeth last Tuesday. Falmouth then got its first victory at Yarmouth, 3-1, behind two goals from senior Stephanie Gramse and another from senior Courtney Proctor.

The Yachtsmen (1-3) were at powerhouse York Wednesday, host Lake Region Saturday and Fryeburg Tuesday.

Yarmouth didn’t score in losses to Cape Elizabeth (4-0) and Lake Region (1-0), but got on the board for the first time last Tuesday in a 2-1 setback at Gray-New Gloucester (junior Sarah Gorman did the honors). In the 3-1 loss to the Yachtsmen, the Clippers got a goal from junior Catie O’Toole. Monday, Yarmouth fell to 0-5 after a 6-1 loss at Fryeburg (despite a goal from senior Lindsey Purpura).

After hosting Wells Wednesday, the Clippers visit Waynflete Friday.

In Western C, two-time defending regional champion NYA has decimated all comers to date. The Panthers, who rolled, 10-1, over Freeport in their opener, outscored three opponents 24-2 last week. First, NYA downed host Traip, 10-1. Junior Katherine Millett rattled the cage four times, while classmates Katie Cawley and Kylie Dalbec both scored twice. The Panthers then got a test at Sacopee, but passed, 3-1, behind two Dalbec goals. Saturday, at Poland, NYA romped, 11-0, at Millett again had four goals and Daleb and senior Frances Leslie both scored twice.

The Panthers looked to go 5-0 Wednesday at Old Orchard Beach. Friday brings a huge home test against defending Western B champion York. Next Tuesday, NYA hosts Waynflete.

Freeport had a 2-1 week last week and is now 3-2 on the year. The Falcons beat visiting Waynflete (2-1) and Old Orchard Beach (2-0), but lost at home to Sacopee (3-0). Against the Flyers, Jenny Breau and Kayla Thurlow scored, while Emily Daniel made five saves. In the win over the Seagulls, Korissa Lavers and Thurlow had second half goals, while Thurlow stopped eight shots. She also made eight saves in the loss.

Freeport was at Poland Wednesday and hosts Greely (the alma mater of coach Sara Dimick) Friday.

Cross country

Falmouth and Greely’s boys’ cross country teams were second and seventh respectively behind Scarborough in the latest coaches’ poll.

The Yachtsmen joined Gray-New Gloucester for a meet at Freeport Saturday, where both Falmouth teams (the girls are fourth in the coaches’ poll) came in first. Junior Tim Follo won the boys’ race in 16 minutes, 52 seconds. Senior Maggie Parrish was the top female in 21:17. Both Falcons squads were second. The boys were paced by senior Griffin Day (seventh, 17;53). The girls featured senior Lauren Easler (seventh, 23:10).

Greely hosted Cape Elizabeth and York Friday and both Rangers teams were third. Senior Sam Johnston won the boys’ meet in 17:24. Freshman Kirstin Sandreuter was runner-up in the girls’ race (20;31).

Yarmouth hosted NYA, Waynflete, Traip and Wells. In the boys’ race, the Panthers came in first with the Clippers second. NYA junior Cam Regan was first (18:19). Yarmouth senior Ben Nickerson was second (18:28). The teams flip-flopped in the girls’ meet, where Yarmouth was tops and NYA runner-up. Panthers junior Hillary Detert was second individually (22:46). Yarmouth’s Sara Becker came in third (22:52).

There will be a big showdown Friday when Falmouth hosts Greely and Yarmouth (along with Lake Reigon). Freeport and NYA join York at Poland. Merriconeag will host Fryeburg and Waynflete.

Golf

On the links, Falmouth is 2-1 after Thursday’s 7-0 victory at Gray-New Gloucester. The Yachtsmen host rival Greely Thursday. The Rangers are 1-2 following Thursday’s 6-1 loss to York. Yarmouth has a 2-1 mark after last week’s 4-3 victory over Cape Elizabeth. In Class C, NYA is 1-2 to date. The Panthers’ victory came last Wednesday, 6.5-0.5 over Fryeburg. Freeport is 2-2 after wins last week over Fryeburg (4-3) and Waynflete (6-1). NYA hosted the Falcons Wednesday.

Volleyball

Falmouth’s volleyball team was the feel-good story of the 2009 season, beating perennial champion Greely in the regular season before losing to the Rangers in an exciting state final. So far in 2010, the Yachtsmen haven’t missed a beat and may have emerged as the favorite. Falmouth won in three games at Cony in its opener, then downed a couple top local contenders last week, blanking host Scarborough, 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 26-24), then holding off Biddeford (which beat Greely earlier in the year) in its home opener Friday, 3-1 (20-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18). Senior opposite Kate Sparks finished with 10 kills, four blocks and four aces. Senior outside hitter Alana Becker had 10 kills, 11 services points, three aces and a block. Senior Laura Fay had 10 service points and five kills. Setters Sarah Collmus (a senior) and Laney Evers (a junior) combined for 26 assists. Juniors Nicole Rogers (who returned from ankle injury) and Jenna Serunian combined for 10 kills, eight services points and four blocks.

“This was the first match on our new court in the main gym and it caused a lot of butterflies,” said Yachtsmen coach Gary Powers. “The score of the first game was (8-1 Biddeford) before we even started playing. Missed serves and poor serve reception gave us a poor start. In the second game, the team started to come together and play, with the lead changing over several times before we finally pushed ahead. Things just kept coming together for the third and fourth games as the team really started to jell and work together.”

Falmouth improved to 4-0 Monday with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-19) win over visiting Cape Elizabeth. Wednesday, the Yachtsmen were at Kennebunk. They host Yarmouth Monday.

Speaking of the Clippers, they’re 2-2 to date. After opening with a 3-0 home win over Gorham, Yarmouth lost at Greely in three games (11-25, 22-25, 25-27). Saturday, the Clippers beat host Scarborough 3-1 (25-13, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23). Senior Abbie Hutchinson had six aces and 18 kills, while classmate Emily Clark finished with 17 kills. Yarmouth also faced longtime power Mt. Desert Island and fell in four games (25-22, 12-25, 19-25, 16-25). Clark had 15 kills, six blocks and three aces. Hutchinson finished with 15 kills.

Yarmouth was at Biddeford Tuesday and goes to Falmouth Monday.

The seven-time defending state champions of Greely shrugged off their loss to Biddeford in the opener with wins over Yarmouth (3-0: 25-11, 25-22, 27-25), Kennebunk (3-1: 25-8, 21-25, 25-22, 25-15) and Gorham (3-0: 25-4, 25-21, 25-14). Against the Clippers, senior Sara Warnock had 17 kills and junior Emily Sampson added 13.

The Rangers hosted Scarborough Wednesday and welcome Cape Elizabeth Thursday before competing in the Maine Games Saturday and going to Cony Monday.

NYA is 0-3 in the early going. After losing in four games at Kennebunk in their opener, the Panthers lost in three games to visiting Cony (21-25, 25-27, 9-25) and at Gorham (13-25, 19-25, 8-25).

NYA returns to action Friday at home versus Scarborough. Monday, the Panthers visit Cape Elizabeth.

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

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Greely freshman Kirstin Sandreuter was runner-up in last weekend’s cross country meet with a time of 20 minutes, 31 seconds. The Rangers hosted Cape Elizabeth and York and came in third as a team.

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