Falmouth’s Kyle Bouchard handles the ball with his head during the Yachtsmen’s 2-0 win at Scarborough Monday.

Greely quarterback Nick Male looks to throw while under pressure from Biddeford during the Rangers’ 36-6 loss Friday night.

Freeport’s Abby King gets a step on Yarmouth’s Audrey Goessling during the Falcons’ 1-0 victory Friday.

Falmouth’s Sofie Matson runs during last week’s cross country meet at Westbrook. Matson was first individually and led the Yachtsmen to a first-place team finish.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Greely-Biddeford football, Falmouth-Scarborough boys’ soccer and Freeport-Yarmouth girls’ soccer game stories, with photos, please see theforecaster.net)

The first hardware of the fall sports season was handed out last weekend in Vassalboro and there will be plenty more to come.

The field hockey regular season is wrapping up and it won’t be long until football, soccer, volleyball and cross country will move on to their next phase as well.

Here’s a look back at the week that was and a glimpse at the key matchups to come:

Golf

Four of five Forecaster Country golf teams qualified for Saturday’s golf state match at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

In Class A, Falmouth finished with a team score of 342 to come in fifth (Mt. Ararat was the champion with a team round of 312). The Yachtsmen were led by Tyler Baker, who had an 18-hole round of 77. Reilly Tucker (86), Jack Stowell (88) and Brady Pierson (91) also scored. Charlie Pochepan’s round of 92 wasn’t factored in.

Greely (343) finished sixth. The Rangers were paced by Andrew Klein’s 83. Rachel Smith (85), Greg Ryder (85) and Jake McDonald (90) also scored. Ben Rosenthal’s 96 wasn’t factored in.

In Class B, Freeport finished a best-ever third, with a round of 345 (York’s 333 was first). The Falcons were led by Sullivan Smith’s round of 81. Tom Robinson (83), TJ Whelan (86) and Steele Young (95) also scored. Molly Whelan’s 99 wasn’t factored in.

In Class C, North Yarmouth Academy shot 366 to place third (Houlton’s 333 was first). The Panthers’ top finisher was Jared Buckner (85). Also scoring were Reed Silvers (89), Mason Parks (95) and Conner Millett (97). Bryce Poulin’s 102 wasn’t factored in.

Next up is the individual state championships for Class A, B and C boys and one division of girls, which will be held at Natanis Saturday.

Football

Falmouth and Yarmouth’s football teams got back on track last weekend, while Freeport continued its winning ways and Greely went down to defeat.

The Yachtsmen, coming off a decisive home loss to defending Class B champion Marshwood, improved to 4-2 Saturday after a 42-6 win at Mt. Ararat. Falmouth took a 14-0 lead after one quarter behind 12-yard Brady Douglas touchdown run and a 32-yard Nick Mancini-to-Evan Lovely TD pass. Coleman Allen’s 1-yard run, a 9-yard Mancini-to-Lovely pass and a 21-yard pass from Mancini to Douglas pass made it 35-0 at the half. The Yachsmen’s final points came on a 50-yard Riley Reed TD run in the third period. The Eagles got on the board in the fourth. Falmouth (now fourth in the Class B South Heal Points standings) goes to 6-0 Kennebunk Friday, then closes at home versus rival Greely.

Speaking of the Rangers, they got off to a sluggish start and lost at home to Biddeford, 36-6, Friday to fall to 3-3. Greely was down, 14-0, after one quarter and 28-0 at the half. The Rangers scored their points on their final play, a 50-yard TD pass from Nick Male to Will Schumacher.

“A lot of things killed us tonight,” said Greely coach David Higgins. “It was a very rough start. I think it was a combination of us and them. They executed well and we didn’t execute well and it looks like we weren’t prepared and that’s on me.” 

The Rangers (fifth in Class B South) welcome 3-3 Gorham Friday, then close at Falmouth.

In Class C South, Yarmouth snapped a two-game skid and improved to 2-4 (and seventh in the Heals) following a 28-20 home victory over Lake Region. Noah Eckersley-Ray gave the Clippers an early 7-0 lead with a 4-yard touchdown run, then, after the Lakers drew within one, Eckerseley-Ray hit Caden Middleton for a 47-yard score and a 14-6 lead. Lake Region went up, 20-14, after three quarters, but Eckerlsey-Ray scored on a 7-yard run to give Yarmouth the lead for good and a Sam Mason TD 25-yard run accounted for the final score. Eckersley-Ray ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 94 yards and a score. The Clippers visit 0-6 Gray-New Gloucester Friday, then close at home versus defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth.

Freeport continued its run through the Class E Developmental League, improving to 5-1 Friday with a 38-6 victory at Traip Academy. The Falcons (first in Class E) host 3-3 Old Orchard Beach Saturday.

Boys’ soccer

Falmouth’s boys’ soccer team has become so formidable on defense that it’s produced 10 consecutive shutouts and hasn’t surrendered a goal in 821 minutes, 14 seconds of game action as of press time. Last week, the Yachtsmen blanked visiting Thornton Academy, 3-0, and Monday, Falmouth improved to 9-1-1 with a 2-0 victory at Scarborough. Against the Golden Trojans, Gus Ford scored all three goals. In the win over the Red Storm, the Yachtsmen dodged an early bullet when a Scarborough penalty kick hit the post. Joe Greene and Nik Hester scored goals off free kicks and goalkeeper Alvaro Fuentes-Cantillana made six saves.

“I just saw an opening in the open right corner, hit it and it went in,” Greene said, of his goal. “That’s where I was trying to go. It felt good.”

“Our defense works hard every single day and it’s a good group,” said Fuentes-Cantillana. “We learned from our mistakes. The first game was tough, but we learned from it.”

“It’s a team concept and it’s hard to explain, but we have a lot of pride in our defense,” added longtime Falmouth coach Dave Halligan. “We practice how we play and (the defenders) practice against some good offensive players. Those units make each other better and Alvaro back there is our rock. This group is right up there with the best I’ve had.”

The Yachtsmen (third in the Class A South Heals at press time) were at top-ranked Gorham Tuesday, host Biddeford Friday and close the regular season at Massabesic Tuesday of next week. 

Four-time defending Class B state champion Yarmouth extended its three-year unbeaten streak to 42 games last week with close wins over visiting Greely (2-1) and host Freeport (2-1). Against the Rangers, Aidan Hickey and Eric LaBrie scored. In the win over the Falcons, Will Dickinson scored in the first half and after the Falcons drew even, LaBrie scored a stunning goal with 10 seconds left to give the Clippers the victory.

“It was a big win because it’s tough games like these that make us better,” LaBrie said.

“What a game, that was the best game of the year,” Yarmouth coach Mike Hagerty said. “That’s a good team right there.”

The Clippers (11-0-1 and first in Class B South) hosted Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday and wrap up the regular season at home versus Class C South contender Waynflete Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story)

Freeport was 7-3-2 and third in the region following 2-1 losses at York and at home to Yarmouth. Eriksen Shea scored against the Clippers to tie the score in the second half, but the Falcons lost in agonizing fashion.

“It was a tough game for us,” said Freeport first-year coach Bob Strong. “Our boys played hard until the end and I’m proud of them.”

The Falcons hosted Fryeburg Academy Tuesday and welcome Cape Elizabeth in the finale Friday in a game that will likely determine the number two seed in the region.

Greely dropped a 2-1 decision at Yarmouth last Tuesday, then improved to 5-4-2 and fourth in the region following wins at Wells (8-2) and at home over Cape Elizabeth (1-0). Chris Theodore scored in the loss to the Clippers. In the win over the Warrors, Ethan Fraser and Chris Williams both scored twice and Pietro Ambrosini, Lucas Goettel, Jonathon Piesik and Evan Wyman had one goal apiece. Ambrosini scored the lone goal versus the Capers. The Rangers hosted Lake Region Tuesday, go to York Thursday and close at home versus Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

NYA remained atop the Class D South Heals at press time with a 10-2 record following a 1-0 home win over Traip Academy and a 2-0 home loss to Sacopee Valley. Alasdair Swett scored the lone goal against the Rangers. The Panthers hosted Buckfield Tuesday and close at Richmond Thursday.

Girls’ soccer

NYA’s girls’ soccer team is enjoying its best season in nine years. Last week, the Panthers dropped a 1-0 decision at Waynflete, then improved to 8-3-1 and fourth in Class D South with a 4-2 victory at Rangeley. Natalie Farrell had two goals, while Rylie McIntyre and Serena Mower also scored. NYA welcomed Buckfield on Senior Day Tuesday and closes at Richmond Friday.

In Class A South, Falmouth was 5-3-3 and sixth in the Heals at press time following an 8-2 home win over Massabesic and a 3-0 loss at Windham. In the victory, Olivia Paysse and Madison Wolf both scored twice and C.C. Cohen, Allison Cunningham, Jayda Gamedah and Chelsea Gravier all had one goal. Jordan Wolf made 15 saves in the setback. The Yachtsmen were at Westbrook Wednesday, host Thornton Academy Saturday and welcome Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

In Class B South, Freeport was 7-3-2 and fourth in the Heals following a 3-0 home loss to York and a 1-0 victory at Yarmouth. The Falcons beat the Clippers in the regular season for the first time this century on a second half goal from Catriona Gould, her 25th of the season.

“We had great intensity today,” Gould said. “It’s so amazing to win here.”

“We’ve taken it one game at a time all season and the first time we played them, I knew in the second half that we had a chance,” said first-year Freeport coach David Intraversato. “We just played our game and here we are.”

The Falcons were at Fryeburg Academy Tuesday and close at home versus top-ranked, undefeated Cape Elizabeth Friday.

Two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth suffered a 4-3 overtime home loss to Greely and a 1-0 home loss to Freeport last week to fall to 6-5 and sixth in the region. 

“Right now, we’re a little frustrated, but we’ll come out stronger because of it,” Clippers coach Chris Coleman said. “We still have three games left in the regular season and then it’s playoffs. There are no easy games and that makes us have to work hard.” 

Yarmouth was at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, visits Wells Thursday and closes at York Monday of next week.

Greely was 5-5-1 and ninth in Class B South following a 4-3 overtime win at Yarmouth and a 5-1 home victory over Wells. Julia Martel scored twice and Sawyer Dusch had the winner at the Clippers. Kacy O’Grady also had a goal. The Rangers were at Lake Region Tuesday, host York Thursday and close at Gray-New Gloucester Monday of next week.

Field hockey

Freeport’s field hockey team took a 10-2-1 record and the number three ranking in Class B South behind Fryeburg Academy and York into Wednesday’s regular season finale at home versus Greely (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last week, the Falcons handled visiting Gray-New Gloucester, 5-1, behind two goals from Hannah Groves and one goal apiece from Natalie Anderson, Amelia Farrin and Alexa Koenig. The Falcons already have won 10 games in a regular season for the first time since 2007 and if they beat the Rangers, they’d win 11 for the first time since 2000, which is the last time Freeport played in a state final. Freeport will likely host a quarterfinal round playoff game next week.

Greely was 10-3 and fifth in the region heading into Wednesday’s game at Freeport. A win could move the Rangers into the top four and allow them to host a quarterfinal round playoff game next week. Last week, Greely handled visiting Sacopee Valley, 4-1, and lost at York, 1-0. In the victory, Megan Beaulieu, Delia Knox, Courtney Rog and Ella Wharton all scored. The Rangers have already posted their first double-digit win season since 2011 and were seeking 11 victories for the first time in a decade.

Yarmouth beat visiting Cape Elizabeth, 3-1, last week, then fell to 6-7 and eighth in Class B South Monday with a 2-0 loss at Lake Region. In the victory, Lydia Guay scored twice and Abby Hill also rattled the cage. The Clippers closed at home versus Poland Wednesday. Yarmouth will likely visit the top seed in Class B South in next week’s quarterfinal round.

In Class A South, Falmouth began the week 8-3-2 and fourth in the region following a 1-0 home win over Thornton Academy on Emma Cohen’s goal. The Yachtsmen closed at Sanford Tuesday, then will either host a preliminary round playoff game Saturday or a quarterfinal Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

In Class C South, NYA lost, 5-3, at Wells last week, then downed visiting Traip Academy (7-2) Saturday and won at Wells Monday (4-3) to improve to 6-7 and seventh in the region. Eleanor Commons, Katie Larson and Emelia McKenney all had two goals and Caroline Gepfert added one in the win over the Rangers. The Panthers closed at home over Traip Academy Wednesday and will travel for the quarterfinal round of the playoffs next week.

Volleyball

Falmouth’s volleyball team took the next step last week, ending Cape Elizabeth’s 27-match win streak in a rematch of the Class B state final. After winning at Kennebunk in straight sets, the Yachtsmen downed the visiting Capers in four sets (25-21, 22-25, 27-25, 25-19). Summer Spiegel had 34 assists and Annika Hester added 31 kills.

“We’re coming to that part of the season where the dust is starting to settle a bit and when something like this happens, it’s fuel for the rest of the matches coming up,” said Falmouth first-year coach Larry Nichols.

The Yachtsmen (9-1 and first in the Class A Heals) went to Brunswick Thursday, visit Deering Friday, play at Greely Monday and close at home versus York Tuesday of next week.

In Class B, Yarmouth was 9-2 and second to Cape Elizabeth after 3-0 wins last week at home over Gardiner (25-7, 25-12, 25-13) and at Mt. Desert Island. Against the Tigers, Evelyn Lukis had nine aces and eight kills and Dominique Moran added eight aces. The Clippers go to Windham Thursday, host York Monday and close at home versus Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Greely was 4-8 and fifth in Class B after sandwiching home losses to Cape Elizabeth (3-0) and Scarborough (3-1) around a 3-0 victory at Cony last week. The Rangers host Cony Saturday and close at home versus Falmouth Monday.

In Class C, NYA was 7-3 and fifth after a 3-1 win at Lee Academy. The Panthers hosted Lake Region Tuesday, go to York Thursday and travel Down East Saturday to meet Washington Academy and Bucksport.

Cross country

NYA joined Old Orchard Beach and Waynflete at Maine Coast Waldorf. In the boys’ meet, MCW won and NYA was third. Aiden Kusche led MCW with a second-place individual finish, completing the five-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 38 seconds. The Panthers were led by Chris Hamblett (third, 17:53). In the girls’ meet, MCW was first behind individual champion Olivia Reynolds (20:51) and NYA placed third. The Panthers were led by Emma Collins (11th, 24:09).

Freeport and Greely joined Lake Region at Cape Elizabeth. In the boys’ meet, the Rangers were first and the Falcons placed third behind the hosts. Freeport produced the individual champion in Martin Horne (16:29). Greely was led by Luke Marsanskis (third, 16:57). In the girls’ race, won by Cape Elizabeth, Greely finished second and Freeport was third. Greely’s Marin Provencher was individual runner-up in 19:38. Katie Whittier (seventh, 21:07) paced the Falcons.

Yarmouth ran with Traip Academy, Wells and York at Poland. The Clippers boys were second to the hosts. Ben Cox-Faxon (fourth, 18:20.10) was the top individual. In the girls’ meet, won by York, Yarmouth finished second and Maddie Marston was the top individual (21:12.40).

Falmouth’s girls won a five-team meet at Westbrook, as Sofie Marston came in first individually. In the boys’ meet, won by Scarborough, the Yachtsmen finished second. John Auer was the top individual.

This weekend, while Falmouth gears up for the regional championships Oct. 20, Freeport, Greely, MCW, NYA and Yarmouth will run in the Western Maine Conference championship meet Friday in Standish.

Press Herald writer Brad Spiegel and Times Record staff writer Eric Maxim contributed to this story.

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

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