(Ed. Note: For the complete Cheverus-South Portland, Waynflete-Sacopee Valley and Waynflete-NYA boys’ soccer, Cheverus-Scarborough and Deering-Marshwood girls’ soccer and Cheverus-Deering field hockey game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net) 

While the fall postseason began Saturday with golf’s state meet, the regular season is coming to a rapid close in the other sports and local teams are in the thick of the action.

Here’s a glimpse of the week that was and what’s on tap:

Golf

Cheverus was the lone local golf team to qualify for the state meet. At last Monday’s Southwestern Maine Activities Association qualifier, the Stags shot a team score of 322 to finish fourth (the top six squads made the cut). Portland (344) was eighth, 11 strokes shy of the cut, while Deering (355) placed ninth.

Waynflete finished 13th at the Western Maine Conference qualifier. but Will Lewis qualified for the individual state meet.

Saturday, at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, Cheverus placed second in Class A, with a score of 324, which left the Stags 14 strokes behind champion Thornton Academy. The Stags were paced by Ryan McSorley, who shot a 78 over the 18-hole course. Alex Jacobs finished with a round of 79, while Kyle Cholod shot an 83 and Conner MacDonald shot an 84. Tom Higgins’ 86 wasn’t factored into the score.

“With the windy and cooler conditions that we have not been used to all season, we knew as a team that we all needed to be strong, mentally, for four-and-a-half hours,” said Cheverus coach Jason Swint. “It was the first state championship experience for all five players and we couldn’t let the atmosphere get the best of us. I was so proud of the team after nine holes for keeping the ball in play and making lots of pars and I just kept telling them to be smart, hit the middle of the greens and pars will keep coming.

“Ryan was the medalist of the team that was the best I’ve seen him play all season. The past two weeks, he’s been playing his best golf and it couldn’t have been better timing. Alex fired a 79, which has been around his average all season. When Alex gets off to a good start, I always know I can count on him shooting just a few over par. It was really nice to see such a good kid end his high school golfing career with a good round. Kyle, Conner and Tom will all be returning next year.

“Overall it was a great season. After (going 5-5 last year) and failing to qualify to the state tournament, to improve to this year’s 9-1 record and finishing state runners-up, as a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of how hard the whole team pushed each other to get better. We will be losing three key seniors, Jacobs, Matt Dilios and Jake Harris, but I believe we will have a more experienced and talented team next year. Freshman Jeremy Baker, who averaged 43.2 this season, will be a key contributor to the team next year.”

The golf season comes to a close Saturday back at Natanis where Class A, B and C boys’ individual champions and an all-class girls’ individual champion will be crowned.

Football

All three city football teams traveled this weekend and all three came home victorious.

Portland improved to 6-0 with a decisive 65-0 win at Lewiston.

The Bulldogs held Lewiston to minus-28 net yards and two first downs. The league’s No. 3 ground gainer, Joe Esposito, had no problem serving as the workhorse, carrying 23 times for 185 yards and five touchdowns. Nick Archambault scored twice. Jake Knop and Joe Fusco each reached the end zone for the Bulldogs.

“Espo carried the load, they all carried the load,” Portland coach Jim Hartman said. “’Archie’ ran well and blocked well. Fusco blocked well.”

Jake Hunnewell had four of Portland’s six sacks. The Bulldogs also produced a safety with three consecutive tackles for loss late in the first quarter, the final one by Fusco.

“That’s our strength, defense, and I thought we played extremely well,” Hartman said. “I was really most proud of that.”

It was 30-0 after one quarter and 51-0 at the half.

“It was a tough spot,” Hartman said. “We have to take care of business. Windham is coming. Cheverus is getting better.”

The Bulldogs (first in the Northern A Crabtree Points standings at press time) visit 1-5 Bangor Friday. Last year, Portland blew a 21-0 lead and lost at home to the Rams, 28-27, in an overtime thriller.

Cheverus bounced back from its tough loss at Portland and improved to 4-2 with a 34-14 victory at Bangor. Rylan Benedict had touchdown runs of four and seven yards in the first half as the Stags built a 14-6 lead. After quarterback Isaac Dunn had TD runs of 28 and three yards, Benedict scored one final time, from two-yards out.

Deering also got off the deck after a loss, winning, 34-7, at Oxford Hills to improve to 4-2.

Deering didn’t waste any time after forcing the Vikings to punt on the opening set of downs. The Rams moved from their 40 all the way to Oxford Hills’ 13 when quarterback Max Chabot reeled off a 47-yard pass to wide receiver Sambath Sao. After a penalty, Chabot connected with tight end Raffaele Salamone with an 18-yard touchdown pass. Pat Viola booted the extra point at with 7:54 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

But the Vikings returned the favor on an 85-yard kickoff return for a score to tie the game, 7-7. The Rams scored again in the first quarter when Nate Richards caught a 42-yard touch down pass from Chabot. Viola made good on his second extra point and Deering led 14-7.

In the second quarter, Deering kept the ball on the ground and Braden Bean broke free for a 78-yard touchdown run. Viola’s PAT made it 21-7. A 32-yard Viola run made it 27-7 at halftime. A 49-yard TD run from Rob Dacey early in the second half accounted for the final score.

For the evening, the Rams threw 14 passes and completed seven for 266 yards. Deering was also on the high side on the ground, piling up 380 in 37 rushes.

“We like to run it, too, but I think we balanced it out pretty well tonight,” Deering coach Jason Jackson said. “We do like to drop back and pass. It is one of those things where we feel comfortable with it. We’ve got, arguably, some of the best receivers in the state.”

The Rams (fourth in Class A South) host 2-4 Edward Little Friday. A year ago, Deering won in Auburn, 32-13.

Boys’ soccer

Portland’s boys’ soccer team was 6-1-4 and fifth in the Class A South Heal Points standings at press time after a 1-0 win at Bonny Eagle and a 2-0 home loss to Gorham last week. Diquilutilo Mambo had the goal in the victory. Goalkeeper Bobby Brittingham stopped six shots to produce his ninth shutout. The Bulldogs were at Biddeford Tuesday, host Sanford Thursday and close the regular season at home against rival Deering Tuesday of next week.

Defending Class A champion Cheverus was 5-3-4 and seventh in Class A South after a 3-1 loss at Gorham and a scoreless home tie versus South Portland. Brady Levesque had the goal against the Rams. The Stags were at Sanford Tuesday and close with a home game versus Deering Thursday.

Deering was 6-3-2 and 10th in the region after playing host Marshwood to a scoreless tie and beating visiting Massabesic, 3-0. The Rams were at Thornton Academy Tuesday, visit Cheverus Thursday, then close at Portland Tuesday of next week.

Waynflete had a terrific week, beating visiting Sacopee Valley, 4-0, and visiting rival North Yarmouth Academy, 1-0, improving to 8-2 and third in Class C South in the process.

Against the Hawks, Tommy Silk scored twice in a 3-minute, 32-second span to open up a 2-0 lead.

“We started out flat, but we had to adjust,” Silk said. “I tried to stay positive.”

Aaron Lee added another goal before halftime and Ahmed Mohamed scored in the second half. Senior captain Willy Burdick sparked a strong defensive effort and the Flyers got the 4-0 win.

“We want a ‘0’ on the board every game,” Burdick said. “Our defense has played really well all year.”

“We have pretty high expectations right now,” said Flyers coach Brandon Salway. “The whole team takes pride in keeping a ‘0’ up there. They don’t want to give up a goal at any point. I think it’s good to play the entire 80 minutes, no matter the score.”

Waynflete avenged an earlier loss against the Panthers as Burdick scored a spectacular 40-yard goal with 8:24 to play.

“We had a lot of momentum in the second half,” Burdick said. “I feel we were putting pressure on them and had chances to score. I had the ball in the middle of the field a couple times in shooting range. I have a pretty powerful shot, I think. That was the third time I got it in the middle. I had a strike and hoped for the best and it went very well. When it left my foot, it looked good. It was a matter of if the goalie got there. It was in a very good spot. It’s my first goal. It’s one of our biggest goals this year.”

“No matter what the records are, we always have great games with NYA,” said Salway. “I told the guys after the game, they’ve certainly earned our respect. We needed this for a lot of reasons, conference-wise, Heal Points-wise, playoff positioning, but it came down to Waynflete-NYA and we needed to even it. Now it’s 1-1 and who knows, maybe there will be a third game.”

The Flyers visited Sacopee Valley Tuesday, go to Traip Academy Thursday, host Gray-New Gloucester Saturday and close at home against Freeport Tuesday of next week. 

Girls’ soccer

Deering’s girls’ soccer team continues to play the top teams tough, even if the Rams haven’t gotten the results they’ve hoped. Last Wednesday, Deering hosted Marshwood. After falling behind, the Rams got an equalizer from Simone Lauture, but the Hawks got a fortunate bounce in the second half, as a shot which eluded Deering goalkeeper Cassidy Coyne hit the post, only to bounce back and ricochet off Coyne and in for the eventual difference in a 2-1 decision.

“We just have to finish games better,” said Rams coach Kevin Olson. “We made some adjustments and had some opportunities, but we have to capitalize on those opportunities.”

Deering improved to 6-4-1 and eighth in the latest Class A South Heal Points standings after a 4-0 win at Massabesic. Sinead Scott, Lauture, Ewka Varney and MiCary Verville had the goal and Coyne made seven saves. The Rams had another chance to earn a key victory when they hosted Thornton Academy Tuesday. Deering is home with Cheverus Thursday, then closes the regular season at Portland Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s playoff marathon.

Portland enjoyed a 2-0 home win over Bonny Eagle last Wednesday (Gracie LaGrange and Kate Johnson had the goals), then fell to 6-5 and ninth in Class A South after a 7-0 setback at Gorham Saturday. The Bulldogs host Biddeford Wednesday, go to Sanford Thursday and play host to Deering in the regular season finale Tuesday.

Cheverus was clinging to the 12th and final playoff spot in Class A South after a 2-1 home loss to Scarborough, a 1-1 tie at Bonny Eagle, a 3-0 home loss to Gorham and a 1-0 win at South Portland. Against the Red Storm, Katie Gordon scored a late goal, but the Stags couldn’t generate the equalizer. 

“We wanted a tie or win, but we’ll take the positives and move forward,” said Cheverus coach Craig Roberts.

Mackenzie Johnston had the tying goal against the Scots. Michaela Jordan had the goal in the win over the Red Riots.

The Stags were home with Sanford Tuesday, go to Deering Thursday and close the regular season at home against McAuley Tuesday of next week.

The Lions fell to 0-10 and 18th in Class A South after losses to visiting defending state champion Windham (12-0) and host Noble (5-3). McAuley hosts Westbrook Wednesday, visits Thornton Academy Friday and closes at Cheverus Tuesday.

In Class C South, Waynflete suffered a 7-0 setback last Tuesday at defending Class C champion Sacopee Valley in a playoff rematch, then bounced back Saturday and improved to 8-3 and sixth with a 2-0 win at NYA. Isabel Canning and Lydia Giguere had the goals. The Flyers host Sacopee Valley Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome Traip Academy Friday and close the regular year at Freeport Tuesday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team capped a tremendous regular season with three wins last week to wind up 12-2. Last Monday, the Stags went to Deering and pulled out a 3-1 win on two goals from Becca Archer and another from Hannah Abbott.

“We were poised and we executed,” Archer said.

“This team is awesome,” said senior captain Emily Michaud, who had an assist. “In all honesty, I never anticipated this. We work as a team and tonight I think we really showed that. We have very good team chemistry and I think our high, positive energy, on and off the field, really helps.”  

After a 3-2 overtime win at Bonny Eagle (Archer had the winner, her second goal of the game, and Bella Booth also scored), the Stags closed with a 3-0 home win over Biddeford on Senior Day, as Archer had two more goals and Sophia Pompeo also rattled the cage.

“It feels amazing, Senior Day brought up a lot of memories,” Archer said. “It’s been a fun four years. It’s gone by fast. It’s amazing to see how far this team has come.”

“I didn’t expect going 12-2 at all,” Cheverus coach Amy Ashley said. “We’ve been a complete team. We’ve had different people step up every game. A lot of different scorers. No heroes. There’s a lot of chemistry. There’s a lot of love for each other.”

The Stags (first in Class A South at press time) aren’t sure where they’ll be seeded, but it should be high. They’re ready for a playoff run.

“We’ll do a lot of team bonding,” Archer said. “We’re getting better every day. We’re very happy to be a high seed. Homefield advantage is great. Now we just have to go out and win.” 

“We’re very proud of what we’ve done and we’re very excited for the position we’ve put ourselves in for playoffs,” Ashley said. “We have a lot to work on. We do a lot of team bonding during playoffs. That’s helped a lot over the years. We hope to have a run like we did last year and maybe even a little bit more.”

Deering was 5-8 and eighth after a 3-1 home loss to Cheverus and a 2-0 home win over Bonny Eagle on Senior Night. Kaytlin DiBiase had an early goal against the Stags, but the Rams couldn’t hold the lead.

“That’s the best game we’ve played all season,” Deering coach Liz Koharian said. “I feel like we’ve really come together. That was an amazing game of field hockey. The intensity was there the whole time. I know it’s a loss, but I honestly couldn’t be happier.”

Against the Scots, DiBiase and Mia Thurston rattled the cage. Deering was at Windham in its finale Tuesday.

Portland still has work to do if it wants to make the playoffs. The Bulldogs lost, 5-1, at Scarborough last Tuesday, then dropped to 4-9 and 12th in Class A South (where only 11 teams qualify) after a 6-1 home loss to South Portland Friday. Sydney Gilbert had the goal. Portland was home with Sanford in its finale Tuesday.  

CMW, the McAuley/Waynflete co-op team, got its first victory last Wednesday, as Molly Barr’s overtime goal produced a 1-0 overtime win at Old Orchard Beach. The Flying Lions fell to 1-12 and 12th in Class B South (where just 10 teams make the playoffs), after a 10-1 home loss to Lake Region. CMW closes at NYA Wednesday.

The playoffs begin this weekend with the preliminary round. The quarterfinals are Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Volleyball 

Cheverus’ volleyball team appears playoff-bound, while first-year varsity programs Deering and Portland were on the outside looking in at press time.

The Stags were 3-8 and 10th in the Class A Heal Points standings (12 teams make the playoffs) entering Tuesday’s match at Portland. Last week, Cheverus lost at home in three sets to Thornton Academy (7-25, 14-25, 13-25). The Stags go to Windham Saturday and close at home versus South Portland Monday.

Deering blanked host Portland, 3-0 (29-27, 25-14, 25-8), behind eight aces and three kills from Kaylee Helmick, three kills from Sydney Giroux and two blocks from Avery Donovan, then dropped to 6-7 and 13th in Class A after a 3-0 (19-25, 13-25, 18-25) loss to Bonny Eagle Thursday. Donovan had three blocks and Helmick added a pair of kills. The Rams close at home versus Wells Thursday.

Portland fell to 1-11 and 17th in Class A after a 3-0 home loss to Deering (27-29, 14-25, 8-25). After hosting Cheverus Tuesday, the Bulldogs close at home against Thornton Academy Friday.

Cross country

Waynflete’s cross country team wrapped up its regular season by joining Kennebunk and Yarmouth at Sacopee Valley. The boys were third as a team and Wilson Moore placed third individually in 18 minutes, 13 seconds. The girls tied Kennebunk for second and wound up second on the tiebreaker. Gail Johnson came in sixth (21:50).

In the SMAA, Cheverus joined Gorham and Thornton Academy at Massabesic, where the Stags boys were third. Josh Veroneau was the fastest individual (17:47). The girls didn’t score as a team, but Rosie Train had the eighth-best individual time (21:55).

McAuley joined Scarborough and South Portland at Noble at placed fourth. Sonni Hackett was 15th (25:02.10).

Results for Deering’s meet at Sanford and Portland’s meet at Marshwood weren’t available at press time.

This weekend, Waynflete will take part in the Western Maine Conference championship meet at St. Joseph’s College in Standish. The SMAA regular season wraps up as McAuley hosts a city meet against Cheverus, Deering and Portland.

The regional championship meet is Oct. 24. The state meet is Oct. 31. Both will be held at Twin Brook in Cumberland.

Sun Journal staff editor Tony Blasi and staff writer Kalle Oakes contributed to this story.

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

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Waynflete senior Willy Burdick boots the ball away from North Yarmouth Academy junior Thomas Pitts during the rivals’ showdown Saturday afternoon. With just over eight minutes to play, Burdick scored a 40-yard highlight reel goal to give the Flyers a 1-0 win.

Deering senior Simone Lauture plays the ball during the Rams’ 2-1 home loss to Marshwood Wednesday.

Cheverus senior Becca Archer prepares to score one of her two goals in Thursday’s regular season-ending 3-0 home win over Biddeford.

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