Under beautiful blue skies with a nip in the air, the 2009 fall sports season kicked off last weekend.

It didn’t take long for local standouts to make their mark, suggesting that this autumn will prove to be yet another full of triumph.

Here’s a glimpse:

Football

While Falmouth was entertaining York in a battle of Western Class B hopefuls Saturday night (please see story, this page), Freeport, Greely and Yarmouth were in various locales, seeking a victory. Ultimately, all four local teams started the year 0-4.

The biggest news was Freeport’s first varsity game, which proved to be a struggle for the Falcons. Freeport did manage a long touchdown run from senior Miguel Beckles, but ultimately fell, 74-6, at Dirigo. Freeport has its home opener Saturday against a much more manageable foe, fellow first-year varsity program Sacopee.

Greely was home with Wells. The Rangers kept the game close for awhile, but went down to a 21-0 setback. Greely will try again Friday when it hosts an improved Poland squad.

Yarmouth made the trip to Old Orchard Beach. Despite a long kickoff return for a score from senior Brodie Woodson and a TD run from junior Nate Pingitore, the Clippers were handed a 28-12 defeat. Yarmouth hosts Oak Hill Friday night.

Boys’ soccer

With one game in the books, there is no reason to think that Falmouth and Yarmouth aren’t destined to become two of the best teams in the state.

The defending Class B champion Clippers opened in style Friday at Wells, scoring twice in the first minute, Yarmouth opened up an 8-0 lead at halftime en route to a 9-0 victory. Senior Ebrahim Fazeli had four goals. Senior Jeff Kuklewicz added a pair. The Clippers had a commanding advantage in shots (31-1) and corner kicks (7-0). Yarmouth faced a much tougher test Tuesday night (too late for print) when it hosted Cape Elizabeth. Thursday, Freeport pays a visit. The Clippers welcome Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

Nipping at Yarmouth’s heels are the always potent Yachtsmen, who were relatively tame in Friday’s season-opening 3-0 home victory over Fryeburg. Falmouth faced a stern test at Greely Tuesday night (too late for print), then returns home to face Poland Thursday and Cape Elizabeth Monday.

Speaking of Greely, the always-dangerous Rangers won 3-0 at Freeport Friday in the mutual opener for both contenders. After hosting Falmouth Tuesday, Greely is home with Wells Thursday and visits York Monday.

The Falcons hoped to get in the win column Tuesday when they played at York (too late for print). Thursday brings a trip to Yarmouth. Saturday, Freeport is home against Traip.

North Yarmouth Academy welcomed new coach Martyn Keen by tying visiting Lake Region, 1-1, Friday. Mohamed Dahia had the Panthers’ goal. Dylan Seely was steady in net. NYA was at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday (too late for print), goes to Traip Thursday and is home with Sacopee Saturday.

Girls’ soccer

The girls’ soccer story has been just as successful.

Defending Class B champion Falmouth opened with a 5-0 win at Fryeburg Friday. Epitomizing the overwhelming balance in the lineup, five different girls scored. The Yachtsmen got a test Tuesday night (too late for print) when they hosted Greely. After going to Poland Thursday, Falmouth is at Cape Elizabeth Monday.

Greely is also 1-0 after a 6-0 win at Freeport. Freshman Sammi Toorish had a stellar debut, scoring three times. The Rangers followed their trip to Falmouth Tuesday with a visit to Wells Thursday. Monday, the Rangers host York.

The Falcons looked to get in the win column Tuesday when they hosted York (too late for print). Thursday, Freeport is home with Yarmouth and Saturday it welcomes Old Orchard Beach.

Yarmouth is 1-0 following Friday’s 6-0 home triumph over Wells. In that one, senior Lizzie Fischman had three goals. Classmate Annie Clabby added four assists. The Clippers were home with Cape Elizabeth Tuesday (too late for print), pay a visit to Freeport Thursday and go to Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

NYA hoped to give new coach Charles Fischman a victory Tuesday when it opened the season at home versus Gray-New Gloucester (too late for print). The Panthers host Traip Thursday, go to Sacopee Saturday and host Poland Monday.

Field hockey

The defending Class C field hockey state champion North Yarmouth Academy Panthers were scheduled to open the 2009 season at Freeport Friday, but due to coach Julia Littlefield’s wedding, that contest was postponed to Thursday.

First, the Panthers host Poland Wednesday. They also go to Sacopee next Monday and host Waynflete Tuesday.

The Falcons follow their game versus NYA with a home contest against Gray-New Gloucester Saturday.

Falmouth and Greely got off to great starts.

The Yachtsmen dominated visiting Lake Region in an impressive 5-1 home victory Saturday. Senior Jacki Aaskov scored twice. Falmouth was at Yarmouth Wednesday (too late for print), visits Fryeburg Friday, then hosts York in a playoff rematch Tuesday of next week.

The Rangers cruised to a 5-1 home triumph over Fryeburg Friday, avenging last year’s postseason ouster. Five different players scored. Greely visited Lake Region Wednesday (too late for print) and plays at York Friday.

Yarmouth suffered a 1-0 loss at Cape Elizabeth in its first game Saturday. After hosting Falmouth Wednesday, the Clippers go to Lake Region Friday and are home with Fryeburg Tuesday.

Cross country

The 2009 cross country season began last Tuesday with the annual Chandler Relays at Twin Brook in Cumberland, which will be the site of the regional and state championship meets.

Greely’s ‘A’ team was second among the 11 boys’ entries. Yarmouth came in fifth. Freeport placed sixth, NYA was seventh and the Greely ‘B’ squad finished eighth. Logan Price of Greely had the second best time.

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth’s juggernaut placed first. Greely placed fifth, Freeport was sixth, Yarmouth seventh and NYA 10th. Freeport’s Kiera Berkemeyer (12th) was the top local female.

The regular season began Friday. Falmouth traveled to York where its boys were first and girls second among five teams. Freeport hosted Greely, Cape Elizabeth and Fryeburg. The Rangers won the boys’ race. The Falcons were fourth. On the girls’ side, Greely was second while Freeport didn’t score as a team. NYA and Yarmouth competed at Poland. The Clippers won the boys’ team title, while the Panthers came in third. In the girls’ race, Yarmouth was second and NYA placed third.

Golf

The golf season began last week. Yarmouth welcomed new coach Tom McDowell with a 7-0 victory over Poland. NYA gave new coach Mike Dutton a 7-0 win over Old Orchard Beach. Freeport was a 7-0 loser at Wells in its first match. Falmouth hosted Greely in the teams’ mutual opener Tuesday (too late for print).

Volleyball

Is this the year the Greely volleyball juggernaut finally gets a test? If the first match is any indication, the answer is a definite maybe. Friday night at Biddeford, the Rangers had to scratch and claw for a 3-2 win. Yarmouth also enjoyed a 3-2 victory, downing Gorham in a thriller. Falmouth was taken to four sets by Scarborough, but held on for a 3-1 triumph. NYA opened at home with Kennebunk Tuesday (too late for print).

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greely’s Mark McCauley placed third at the Chandler Relays last week.

Sidebar Elements

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Yarmouth sophomore Caitlin Crawford played the ball upfield during the Clippers’ season-opening 1-0 loss at Cape Elizabeth Saturday.