And we’re off.

Another fall sports season began last week and early results suggest that local athletes and teams are in for plenty of triumph.

Not quite every squad had begun play at press time, but most are underway.

Here’s a glimpse.

Boys’ soccer

Defending Class C boys’ soccer state champion Waynflete opened its title defense with a 7-0 victory at Wells, a Class B school. Senior Paul Runyambo led a balanced offense with a pair of goals. Classmates Max Belleau, Jack Cutler and Mohammed Suja, junior Elyse Beyizere and freshman Willy Burdick (in his varsity debut) also scored. Suja had two assists, Burdick, Runyambo and senior Kevin Kanakan one apiece. The Flyers are idle until Monday, when they host Wells. Tuesday, Waynflete welcomes Lake Region.

In Western A, Cheverus got off to a good start with a 3-1 home victory over Sanford. The Stags got goals from Zach Poulin, Christian Verrault and Elijah Yeboah. Cheverus looked to make it two straight Tuesday at home versus Biddeford. After visiting Bonny Eagle Thursday, the Stags return home next Tuesday to play Noble.

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Deering began with a scoreless tie at Massabesic.

“We overwhelmingly dominated the game, but could not find the back of the net to score,” said Rams coach Joel Costigan.

The Rams went to Westbrook Tuesday, host Portland Thursday and welcome Gorham Monday.

Portland took the field for the first time Tuesday when it hosted Noble. After going to Deering Thursday, the Bulldogs host perennial power Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

Deering’s girls’ soccer team opened with a 2-0 home victory over Massabesic, as junior Alexis Elowitch and freshman Simone Lauture had goals. The Rams were home against Westbrook Tuesday and welcome Portland Thursday.

Cheverus rolled at McAuley in the teams’ mutual opener, 6-0. The Stags were sparked by two goals apiece from senior Darby Rawcliffe and junior Abby Maker and one each from senior Eden Munson and junior Sadie Lyons. Cheverus is at Biddeford Tuesday and hosts Bonny Eagle Thursday.

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McAuley got 14 saves from senior goalkeeper Molly Miller in its loss to Cheverus. The Lions host Sanford Thursday and go to Windham Monday.

Portland fell 3-0 at home to highly touted Windham in its opener. The Bulldogs go to Noble Wednesday and Deering Thursday.

In Western C, Waynflete began with a 1-0 home victory over Sacopee. Freshman Arianna Giguere’s first half goal (from senior Isabel Agnew) held up. The Flyers host Poland Tuesday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team looks like a top contender based on its early action.

The Stags opened with a 4-0 home victory over Thornton Academy. After being stymied for a half, junior Alex Logan broke the ice with an unassisted goal out of a scrum in the fourth minute of the second half. Senior Staci Swallow (on a rebound), senior Emily Rodrigue (on a rebound) and Swallow again (on a rocket) also scored.

“Once we calmed down in the second half, we played our game,” said Cheverus coach Amy McMullin. “It’s our first game and there were nerves and we really weren’t playing together. The second half was much better for us. The girls want it just as much as I do and all the coaches. I love that about them. They do everything we ask. The seniors have been with me three years. They’ve been to a state game (2010) and know how I want things and how things should be. The seniors help the new players.”

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Cheverus made ti 2-0 Saturday with a 5-0 home win over Deering. Rodrigue had a hat trick and juniors Laura Bither and Elyse Caiazzo also rattled the cage. The Stags go to Windham Wednesday, host Biddeford Friday and welcome Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Deering entered the Cheverus game with a win already to its credit. In coach Liz Koharian’s debut, the Rams edged visiting Windham, 1-0, in overtime, on freshman Mia Thurson’s goal. Deering is at Biddeford Wednesday and returns home Tuesday of next week to face Kennebunk.

McAuley opened with a 10-0 loss at Scarborough and fell to 0-2 after a 4-0 home loss to Biddeford. The Lions host Marshwood Wednesday, go to Thornton Academy Friday and welcome Windham Tuesday of next week.

Portland opened with home losses to Massabesic (5-1) and defending regional champion Marshwood (6-0). Against the Mustangs, senior Gabi Cardona scored and freshman goalie Gianna Gaudett made seven saves. The Bulldogs also started 0-2 against the same two teams a year ago, but turned things around and reached the Western A Final. Portland hoped to get in the win column Wednesday at South Portland. It plays at powerhouse Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete won a thriller in its opener, 2-1, in overtime over visiting Old Orchard Beach on senior Merilla Michael’s goal. Classmate Jo Moore also scored. The Flyers fell to 1-1 Friday with a 3-0 loss at Freeport. Waynflete is at Sacopee Monday.

Cross country

Cheverus, Deering, McAuley and Portland runners took part at the SMAA Relays last weekend. Portland’s Ben Allen was the fastest male. The Stags girls’ team came in second to Bonny Eagle.

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The regular season begins this weekend as McAuley hosts Biddeford and Windham, Cheverus joins Sanford at Gorham, Deering (along with Marshwood and Westbrook) goes to Kennebunk and Portland (along with Noble and Thornton Academy) runs at Bonny Eagle.

Class C contender Waynflete opened (along with Freeport and Yarmouth) at Poland. The Flyers girls finished third (senior Martha Veroneau had the third-fastest individual time: 22 minutes, 57 seconds). The boys came in third (senior Josh Espy placed fourth, 19:23).

Waynflete returns to the trails Friday at Wells (joined by Greely, Sacopee and Traip).

Golf

Cheverus’ golf team opened with a 10.5-2.5 win over Portland. The Stags were home with Scarborough Monday, while the Bulldogs went to South Portland. Deering’s first match resulted in a 10.5-2.5 victory over South Portland. The Rams squared off with defending Class A champion Falmouth Tuesday. Waynflete begins Sept. 12 at Freeport.

Volleyball

Cheverus’ first-year volleyball program was supposed to open Saturday against Cony, but that match was postponed to Sept. 12. As a result, the Stags debuted Tuesday at home versus Falmouth. Cheverus is at North Yarmouth Academy Thursday and goes to state runner-up Scarborough Saturday.

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

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Cheverus senior Emily Rodrigue is defended by Deering junior Kylie Patchell during the teams’ meeting Saturday morning. Rodrigue scored three times to help the Stags to a 3-0 win.

Portland freshman goalie Gianna Gaudett kicks away a Marshwood shot Saturday morning during the Bulldogs’ 6-0 loss to the Hawks in a rematch of last year’s Western Class A Final.


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