(For the complete Deering-South Portland boys’ soccer and Cheverus-Scarborough field hockey game stories, please visit theforecaster.net)

As September gives way to October, all fall sports are heating up and playoff jockeying is underway. Here’s a glimpse at where local squads stand:

Boys’ soccer

Cheverus’ boys’ soccer team bounced back from its first loss of the year with 2-0 victory at Windham and a 5-0 home triumph over Kennebunk. Against the Eagles, Eliot Maker scored twice. In the win over the Rams, Maker had a hat trick and Tyler Friedman and Jake Smith also scored. The Stags (5-1 and seventh in the Western Class A Heal Points standings, as of Monday) have a big test at Portland Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for the game story), host Westbrook Thursday and welcome Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Deering suffered two tough losses a week ago to fall to 3-3 (12th in Western A). After falling, 4-0, at Gorham, the Rams lost at home to South Portland, 2-0.

“We haven’t played soccer in the past three games,” Deering’s first-year coach Joel Costigan said. “We’ve gone backwards in our playing. We have a lot of soul searching to do. We need to clean up our attitudes and stay positive and overcome. We’re a far better team than we’ve played the past three games. It’s going to get harder from here.”

The Rams were back in action Tuesday at powerhouse Scarborough. Saturday, Deering goes to Thornton Academy. Tuesday of next week, the Rams play host to Kennebunk.

Portland blanked visiting Biddeford, 8-0, last Tuesday and held off host Westbrook, 4-2, Friday to improve to 5-1-1 (fifth in the region). Against the Tigers, Guled Hussain-Ali scored three times, while Alan Tuyishime added two goals. Hunter Andreason, Patrick Jabo and Emmanual Muya also scored. In the win over the Blue Blazes, Tim Rovnak had two goals, Hussain-Ali and Ralph Houanche the others. The Bulldogs hosted Cheverus Tuesday, visit Massabesic Thursday and play host to Marshwood next Tuesday.

In Western C, Waynflete 4-0-2 and fifth in the Heals. Last week, the Flyers were a 6-0 home winner over Traip, then battled visiting Sacopee to a scoreless draw. Elyse Bayizere had two goals in the victory. William Cleaves, Peabo Knoth, Paul Rynyambo and Mohamed Suja also scored in the game. Waynflete was home against Wells Monday, plays at Sacopee Wednesday, rival North Yarmouth Academy Friday and Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Cheverus continues to play well. Last Tuesday, the Stags held off visiting Windham, 2-0, behind goals from Sade Lyons and Eden Monsen. Cheverus was scheduled to face Kennebunk and Sanford as well, but both of those games were postponed. The Stags (4-0-1 and fourth in the Western Class A Heals) are home against Portland Wednesday and go to Westbrook Friday.

Deering suffered a pair of losses last week to fall to 4-3 (11th in the Heals). The Rams fell to visiting Thornton Academy (3-0) and at South Portland (2-0). Deering hopes to bounce back Wednesday, but faces the tall task of hosting defending Class A state champion Scarborough. The Rams are at McAuley Saturday.

Speaking of the Lions, they got in the win column with a 1-0 triumph at Bonny Eagle last Thursday (Olivia Smith had the goal and Molly Miller was once again stellar between the pipes). That came on the heels of a scoreless tie against South Portland. Gorham was due to pay a visit Saturday, but the field was too wet and the game was postponed to a yet to be determined date. McAuley (1-4-1 and 14th in the standings) was at Marshwood Tuesday and comes home to meet Deering Saturday.

Portland is still winless. The Bulldogs dropped games last week at Biddeford (3-2) and at home to Westbrook (2-1) and Bonny Eagle (2-1). After visiting Cheverus Wednesday, Portland (0-8 and 19th in the region) welcomes Massabesic Saturday.

In Western C, Waynflete began the week 5-1 and fourth in the Heal Points standings. Last week, the Flyers downed host Traip (5-1) and visiting Freeport (2-1). Against the Raiders, Becky Smith had a hat trick and Rhiannan Jackson and Ella Millard also tickled the twine. In the win over the Falcons, Smith had both goals. Waynflete was scheduled to host Gray-New Gloucester Saturday, but the game was postponed by a wet field to Oct. 15. The Flyers were at Old Orchard Beach Monday, host Sacopee Wednesday and visit NYA Saturday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team began last week undefeated, but didn’t end that way. The Stags held off visiting Marshwood, 1-0, last Tuesday behind Julia Lambert’s goal. Thursday, Cheverus went to Scarborough and suffered its first loss in nine games, 2-1. Sarah LaQuerre had the Stags’ goal, but it wasn’t enough.

“It was a good game, but I think for us, we didn’t play well,” said Cheverus coach Amy McMullin. “It’s better that we lose, so we can learn from it. It was a great game. It’s great competition. It’s fun to have these kind of games. We haven’t had that this season. We love that.”

The Stags (third in the Western A Heals) went to South Portland Monday, host Gorham Wednesday and play at Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Deering was a 1-0 home loser to Westbrook and played host Bonny Eagle to a 1-1 tie last week. Amanda LeMoult had the Rams’ goal in the tie. Deering (1-5-2 and 12th in the Heals) hosted Portland Monday, visits Noble Wednesday, welcomes Marshwood Saturday and plays at Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

McAuley lost at home to Sanford (6-2) and downed visiting South Portland (4-2) last week. Liz Houston had two goals in the victory. The 3-5 Lions (13th in Western A) are at Portland Wednesday, host Massabesic Friday and Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Portland downed visiting Thornton Academy, 2-0, and tied host Windham, 1-1, last week and is now 3-4-1 and ninth in the standings. Raechel Allen and Cat Flaherty had the goals versus the Golden Trojans. Kaitlyn Rutherford scored in the tie. The Bulldogs were at Deering Monday, host McAuley Wednesday, go to Bonny Eagle Friday and welcome Noble Monday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete lost last week at Yarmouth (4-1) and NYA (3-0), but bounced back to down visiting Gray-New Gloucester, 2-0, behind goals from Merilla Michael and Jo Moore.

“We’re still learning and perfecting our game, but we’re getting there, so I’m proud of them,” said Flyers’ first-year coach Kelly Hoffman. “I’m excited to see when (NYA) comes to our field and plays us on grass. “

Waynflete (3-5 and sixth in the Heals) hosted Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, goes to Sacopee Friday and visits Freeport Monday.

Cross country

Cheverus’ cross country teams continued to turn heads last week when they joined Bonny Eagle and Kennebunk for a meet at Massabesic. The boys tied the hosts for first place as a team and Lukas Temple finished third individually (18 minutes, 22 seconds). The girls (still first in the state coaches’ poll) easily placed first and Emily Durgin was second (19:22) individually.

Deering joined Biddeford and Scarborough at Sanford for a meet Friday. The boys (now ranked 10th by the coaches) were second to the Red Storm as Tom Dean was fourth individually (17:13).  The girls placed third as a team, but Ella Ramonas was the individual winner (21:00).

McAuley hosted Gorham, Marshwood and Thornton Academy Friday and came in second. Taxia Arabatzis was second individually (21:20).

Portland’s girls won a meet at Westbrook, while the boys came in second to the Blue Blazes. Individually, Sadie Sarvis won the girls’ race (23:33). Dexter Morse was first in the boys’ race (17:54).

Waynflete joined Fryeburg and York at Cape Elizabeth last weekend, where the boys were fourth and the girls third. Individually, Martha Veroneau was runner-up in the boys’ race (19:45) and Josh Espy came in 11th (17:13) on the boys’ side.

Wednesday, Cheverus and Marshwood go to Windham, Deering visits Bonny Eagle, McAuley, along with Kennebunk and Noble, runs at Scarborough, Portland hosts Biddeford, Gorham and Massabesic and Waynflete, with Sacopee, runs at Poland Friday.

Golf

The golf regular season is about to come to a close and all three city teams are thinking about October glory.

Cheverus won at Deering (9-4), Falmouth (8-5) and South Portland (11-2) last week to improve to 5-1 on the year. The Stags hosted South Portland Monday and Scarborough Tuesday, visit Portland Thursday and close at home versus Falmouth Friday.

Deering bounced back from its loss to Cheverus with a confidence-building tiebreaker victory over previously unbeaten Scarborough Wednesday. Friday, the Rams downed visiting Portland, 11-2, to balance their record at 4-4. After going to Falmouth Tuesday, Deering closes at Falmouth Thursday.

Portland dropped to 1-6 after losses last week to Scarborough (12.5-0.5), Falmouth (11-2) and Deering (11-2). The Bulldogs were at South Portland Tuesday and close at home versus Cheverus Thursday.

The girls’ state qualifying match is Wednesday at Willowdale Golf Course in Scarborough. The boys’ state qualifying matches are Monday of next week.

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