(Ed. Note: For the complete Cheverus-Bonny Eagle and Waynflete-Yarmouth field hockey game stories, please visit theforecaster.net)

The fall sports season continued last week and there was plenty of drama and even some surprises last week.

Here’s a glimpse:

Boys’ soccer

Portland’s boys’ soccer team was the biggest story last week. The Bulldogs went to Scarborough Tuesday and shocked the defending Class A champions, 1-0. Haron Habibzai had a first half goal and Portland made it stand up to improve to 2-0 on the season.

“We went there knowing that if we played like we could, we could keep it close,” said longtime Bulldogs coach Rocco Frenzilli. “Everything we hoped for happened us. We had a really good first half. The goal came off a free kick by Sam (Farr). The (Scarborough) keeper made the save, but the ball dropped and Haron was there to knock it in. We knew they’d be fired up in the second half and they put pressure on, but we broke up plays they had. We went into a defensive mode the last 15 minutes and bent, but didn’t break. We got lucky a couple times. It was a great game. A big win. I’m happy for the boys. The stepped it up between the lines for 80 minutes.”

Portland was supposed to host rival Deering for a showdown Thursday, then again Friday, but heavy rains forced postponements (a makeup date hadn’t been announced at press time). The Bulldogs were at Noble Tuesday, host Bonny Eagle Thursday, play at Thornton Academy Saturday and visit Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

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“We can’t look past anybody,” Frenzilli said. “Other programs are growing and playing well. There’s no rest for us.”

Deering also improved to 2-0 last Tuesday with a 3-0 home win over Massabesic. Matthew Alvarez, Christian Castaneda and Quitaiba Hassoon had the goals. After being rained out at Portland, the Rams were at Gorham Tuesday, welcome Noble Thursday, play at Windham Saturday and host Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus, which dropped its opener at Deering, was scheduled to host Marshwood Thursday, but that game was rained out (and rescheduled for Monday). After visiting Windham Tuesday, the Stags are at Biddeford Thursday and travel to Sanford Tuesday of next week.

Waynflete prevailed in its opener, 5-0, at Traip, as Harry-Baker Connick scored twice and Willy Burdick, Henry Cleaves and Serge Nyirikamba also tickled the twine. The Flyers returned to action Monday at Fryeburg. Waynflete hosts Lake Region Wednesday, goes to Gray-New Gloucester Saturday and welcomes Western B power Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, defending Class C champion Waynflete opened with a 5-3 home over Traip last Monday. The Flyers got two goals from Arianna Giguere and one apiece from Sofia Canning, Leigh Fernandez and Cat Johnson to hold on.

“I think we got a little too comfortable,” Fernandez said. “They got a couple quick ones, but we found a little fire in the end and finished it off. We’ll learn a lesson from that. It won’t happen again.”

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“We have of work to do,” Waynflete coach Todd Dominski said. “We know there’s a big target on us and that teams will give us their best every game. We have to stand up to that.”

The Flyers were back in action Monday at Fryeburg. After going to Lake Region Wednesday, Waynflete hosts Gray-New Gloucester Friday and visits Old Orchard Beach Tuesday of next week.

“There’s a target on our backs,” said Fernandez. “I think we can step up. We have a lot of potential.”

In Western A, Deering improved to 2-0 with a 3-1 win at Massabesic last Wednesday. Ewka Varney scored twice and Alexis Elowitch had the other goal. After being rained out at Portland, the Rams host Gorham Wednesday and go to Noble Saturday.

Portland fell to 1-1 last Monday with a 5-0 home loss to Scarborough. The Bulldogs were supposed to host Deering Thursday, but that game as rained out. Portland hosts Noble Wednesday and visits Bonny Eagle Friday.

McAuley got in the win column last Wednesday with a 2-1 victory at Cheverus. Summer Bourque and Maddie Wade had the goals.

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“The win was very satisfying for the girls after coming off a tough loss to Windham (in the opener),” said Lions coach Vince Aceto. “We knew we were going to be pressured until the 80th minute. Their confidence is back up. A win will do that, but we know it’s a long season and many more challenges will come our way.”

McAuley fell to 1-2 Saturday after a 1-0 home loss to Massabesic. The Lions were home against Biddeford Tuesday and visit South Portland Saturday.

Cheverus dropped to 0-2 after the loss to McAuley. The Stags were supposed to go to Marshwood Thursday (but that game was rained out and not rescheduled as of press time). Cheverus hosts Windham Wednesday and visits Biddeford Friday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team suffered a surprising upset loss last Tuesday. The Stags, who beat Westbrook and Biddeford to start the season, hosted Bonny Eagle and came out flat. Cheverus fell behind 1-0 in the second half, but tied the score when Elyse Caiazzo scored moments later. In overtime, however, the Scots broke through and scored to beat the Stags, 2-1.

“We walked on the field thinking we’d win,” lamented Cheverus coach Amy McMullin. “We didn’t have energy until the last few minutes. We underestimated them, but give Bonny Eagle credit. They played tough. It’s a great learning experience. I thought we might struggle early this year.”

The Stags were at Windham Monday, host Deering Wednesday, go to Gorham Friday and play host to dangerous Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

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“Our goal is to learn from this and be more consistent the rest of the season,” said McMullin.

Deering dropped its first three decisions, including a 3-1 home loss to Biddeford last Monday (Kaytlin DiBiase had the Rams’ goal), then tied host Bonny Eagle Friday, 2-2 (Amanda LeMoult had both goals). Deering was home against McAuley Monday, visits Cheverus Wednesday, welcomes Windham Friday and visits Gorham Tuesday of next week.

Portland fell to 1-2 after a 2-1 home loss to Sanford last Tuesday. Lauren McIntyre scored for the Bulldogs. Portland was home with South Portland Monday, visits Thornton Academy Wednesday, welcomes Westbrook Friday and goes to reigning regional champion Scarborough Monday of next week.

McAuley was 0-3 at press time after a 12-0 loss at Windham last Tuesday. The Lions were at Deering Monday, host Gorham Wednesday, play at Marshwood Friday and welcome Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete dropped its opener, 6-0, to visiting Yarmouth, despite 24 saves from freshman goalie Kiera MacWhinnie.

“I thought (Kiera) was amazing,” said Flyers coach Kelly Hoffman. “I have a couple starters out and several kids are brand new players, playing for the first time.”

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Waynflete was back in action Monday at Sacopee. The Flyers hosted perennial powerhouse North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday, visit Wells Thursday and welcome Traip Monday of next week.

“We traditionally do better as the season goes on,” Hoffman said. “It’s a process.”

Cross country

Deering hosted Gorham, Noble and Westbrook in a rainy meet Friday. The Rams boys were second to Gorham. Yahye Hussein placed second in 17 minutes, 23 seconds. The girls were also second, a mere point behind Gorham. Eleanor McClure-Chute came in third individually in 21:53.

Portland hosted a four-team meet Saturday. The Bulldogs boys were third behind Scarborough and Massabesic and finished ahead of Biddeford. Ben Allen placed sixth in 17:19. The girls were also third, as Massabesic won the race and Scarborough was second. Portland was paced by Lizzy Landry, 10th in 22:14.

McAuley hosted a four-team meet Friday and was fourth behind Bonny Eagle, Sanford and Thornton Academy. The Lions were led by Adele Werner (11th, 23:32).

Cheverus was scheduled to host Marshwood, South Portland and Windham, but that meet was postponed by bad weather.

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This weekend, Cheverus joins Sanford and Scarborough at Westbrook, Deering (along with Bonny Eagle and Massabesic) runs at South Portland, McAuley (along with Gorham and Marshwood) goes to Biddeford, Portland (along with Noble and Windham) runs at Thornton Academy and Waynflete joins Cape Elizabeth and Fryeburg at NYA.

Golf

Portland’s golf team won its first two matches, 11.5-1.5, over South Portland and 11-2 over Deering, then lost, 11-0, at Falmouth. After visiting Scarborough Tuesday, the Bulldogs host Cheverus Thursday. The Stags lost their first three matches, at Scarborough (10.5-2.5), at home to Falmouth (11-2) and at home to South Portland (7-6). Cheverus hosted Deering Tuesday and goes to Portland Thursday. Deering was also 0-3 entering Tuesday’s match. The Rams lost at Falmouth and Portland by 11-2 scores, then fell, 13-0, to visiting Scarborough. Deering is home with South Portland Thursday.

Volleyball

Cheverus’ volleyball team split its first two matches. The Stags opened with a 3-1 loss to visiting Kennebunk. Cheverus then won, 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-17), at NYA. Stags first-year coach Kiah Begley credited Josie Bradshaw, Maria Nappi and Caroline Petitti for their strong play. Cheverus was at first-year program South Portland Monday, hosts Yarmouth Wednesday, welcomes Lake Region Friday and Windham Tuesday of next week.

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

Sidebar Elements


Waynflete sophomore Esme Benson fires a shot on goal during the Flyers’ season-opening 5-3 victory over Traip last week.

Waynflete freshman goalie Kiera MacWhinnie kicks away a shot for one of her 24 saves during a season-opening 6-0 loss to Yarmouth.


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