Waynflete’s boys’ soccer team proved to be the best in Class C this fall and finished undefeated.

Aleah Murph and her Deering teammates reached the playoffs this fall.

Emma White and her Cheverus volleyball teammates earned their first-ever playoff win this fall.

The 2018 fall sports season once again was one of triumph and making memories.

City teams impressed across the board.

Portland’s football team got to the state final for the third time in four years, but was again denied the big prize. Cheverus and Deering also reached the playoffs.

The soccer pitch saw high drama, as Waynflete’s boys’ team produced arguably the finest season in program history, going undefeated and winning a Class C state title for the first time since 2011. Portland made it to the Class A South Final for the third year in a row, but lost to Gorham, and Cheverus reached the semifinals only to lose to Gorham as well.

On the girls’ side, Cheverus nearly reached an elusive state final for the first time, but lost to Scarborough in the Class A South Final. Portland also qualified for the postseason.

Field hockey saw Deering return to prominence and make the playoffs. While the Rams lost in the preliminary round, Cheverus got to the quarterfinals before losing to Scarborough.

Volleyball saw Cheverus win a playoff match for the first time and reach the quarterfinals, while Deering also lost in the quarterfinal round.

Cross country saw several runners and teams impress.

The golf season was highlighted by Deering’s four-man team being competitive despite its low numbers. 

Before we move indoors to winter sports, here’s one last look at the biggest achievers and top stories of the autumn:

Portland edition state champion

Waynflete Flyers boys’ soccer, Class C

Portland edition individual state champion

Henry Spritz, Waynflete, Class C boys’ cross country

Michael’s top five stories

5) Cheverus volleyball makes history

Cheverus’ volleyball program is still making its way up the ladder and this fall, the Stags enjoyed their best season to date, going 8-6 in the regular season, then downing the Brunswick/Mt. Ararat co-op team for their first-ever postseason victory. While Cheverus lost to eventual finalist Gorham in the quarterfinals, it took another positive step forward and the program’s future is bright.

4) Deering field hockey team returns to form

Deering’s field hockey missed the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, winning just three total games in that span. When the Rams began this year 0-6, getting outscored, 24-4, the postseason appeared to be a pipe dream, but Deering was a different team in the second half of the season, closing on a 5-1 surge, with a 4-2 home victory over Kennebunk in the finale serving as a punctuation mark, and that put the Rams in the playoffs. Deering lost, 4-1, at Marshwood in the preliminary round, but that wasn’t the story. The journey was the story and what a journey it was.

3) Cheverus girls’ soccer reaches final four

Cheverus’ girls’ soccer team has had its share of success over the years, but the Stags hadn’t reached a regional final since 2005. This fall, Cheverus won its first three games, lost at home by a goal to perennial power Gorham, then won seven more in succession before being defeated by Scarborough. After two more victories, the Stags earned the No. 3 seed in Class A South, then erupted for six goals in a quarterfinal round win over Falmouth in the quarterfinals and for the second year in a row, won at Gorham, earning a regional final date at Scarborough. Cheverus even scored first in that one, but the Red Storm responded with three straight goals to end arguably the Stags’ best season at 14-3.

2) Portland football makes it to states

Portlabd’s football team completed possibly the best four-year stretch in program history by making it to states for the third time in that span and even though the Bulldogs couldn’t solve Thornton Academy, they enjoyed a very impressive campaign nonetheless. Portland won seven of eight regular season games and as the top seed in Class A North, the Bulldogs handled Edward Little in the semifinals, then outlasted Oxford Hills in an overtime thriller in the regional final. Portland’s loss to the Golden Trojans in the state final left it 9-2.

1) Waynflete boys capture championship

Waynflete’s boys’ soccer team has long been among the top squads in the region, but this fall was something special. The Flyers, despite facing a daunting schedule, didn’t lose a game, winning 11 and tying three, to earn the top seed for the Class C South playoffs. Waynflete then had its hands full against the likes of Sacopee Valley, Mt. Abram and Maranacook, but managed to beat all three of those teams without surrendering a goal. The Flyers fell behind early, 1-0, to Fort Kent in the state game, but thanks to highlight reel goals from Askar Houssein, Oliver Burdick and Pat Shaw, and yet another stellar effort in goal from Luca Antolini, they managed to win the program’s first Gold Ball since 2011 and they did so without a blemish. The best Waynflete team to date penned a perfect title story.

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