Cape Elizabeth’s Nick Clifford eludes a Yarmouth defender during the Capers’ 1-0 home loss Saturday.

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ soccer team celebrates a goal scored by Karli Chapin, second from left, during its 3-0 win at defending champion Yarmouth Saturday.

Scarborough’s Gwen Dorsey blocks a shot during the Red Storm’s 3-0 home loss to Cape Elizabeth in last week’s battle of defending state champions.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Cape Elizabeth-Yarmouth boys’ soccer, Cape Elizabeth-Yarmouth girls’ soccer and Cape Elizabeth-Scarborough volleyball game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

The calendar has flipped from September to October and the drama continues to rise.

By this time next week, the first champions of fall will be crowned and several other sports will be closer to locking in playoff participants.

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Here’s a look at what occurred last week and what’s to come:

Football

Cape Elizabeth’s football team snapped its first three-game losing streak since 2005 and got back on track last Friday night with an impressive 33-7 home win over York. Andrew Hartel had himself a game, throwing for four touchdowns. Hartel found Matt Laughlin from 14-yards out for a 7-0 lead after one period, then hooked up with Laughlin from 6-yards out and found Matt Conley from 49-yards out for a 21-0 halftime advantage. The Wildcats got on the board in the third quarter, but Hartel threw to Ethan Convey for a 14-yard score and a 27-7 lead. Zach Stewart’s 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth period accounted for the final score. The Capers (now 2-3 and fifth in the Class C South Heal Points standings) travel to 3-2 Gardiner for a regional final rematch Friday.

South Portland fell to 1-4 after a 46-7 loss at Sanford last week. A second quarter 70-yard interception return for a touchdown by Anthony Poole accounted for the Red Riots’ score. South Portland (sixth in Class A South) visits 1-4 Deering Friday.

Defending Class A champion Scarborough was scheduled to play host to Massabesic last Friday, but the contest was cancelled due to concerns over hand, foot and mouth disease. The game wasn’t rescheduled. If the game affects playoff positioning at the end of the regular season, it will go in the books as a forfeit victory for the Red Storm. Scarborough (4-0 and third in Class A South) has a showdown at 5-0 Thornton Academy Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story), in a game that will go a long way toward determining the top seed in the region.

Boys’ soccer

Scarborough’s boys’ soccer team was 8-1 and fourth in the Class A South Heals at press time after last Thursday’s 4-0 win at Windham. Noah Drapeau, John Goff, Wyatt Keller and Tommy Stratis all had goals. The Red Storm were at Cheverus Thursday, host Falmouth in a makeup game Monday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and play host to Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

South Portland was 5-3 and ninth in Class A South after a 2-0 home win over Windham and a 2-0 setback at Falmouth. Cooper Mehlhorn had both goals in the victory. The Red Riots were scheduled to host Cheverus Tuesday, but rain postponed that game until Oct. 13. South Portland went to Bonny Eagle Thursday, hosts Noble Saturday and welcomes defending regional champion Portland Tuesday of next week.

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Cape Elizabeth was 4-2-3 and third behind Yarmouth and Freeport in Class B South following last week’s 1-1 home tie against Waynflete and a 1-0 home loss to four-time defending state champion Yarmouth. In the draw, Nick Aceto had the tying tally. Against the Clippers, the Capers hit the post three times, but couldn’t find a way to beat Yarmouth for the first time since 2011.

“We’re two pretty even teams,” Cape Elizabeth coach Ben Raymond said. “I thought the first half was even. I thought they played better at the start of the second half, but I thought we played better at the end of the second half.”

The Capers were scheduled to play at Lake Region Tuesday, but rain moved that game to Oct. 13. Cape Elizabeth was at York Thursday and visits Greely Monday.

In Class D South, Greater Portland Christian School fell to 2-7 and 13th after 3-1 losses at Rangeley and Vinalhaven. After hosting Chop Point Thursday, the Lions welcome Buckfield Saturday.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth remained perfect at press time after recent wins at at home over York (2-0) and at two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth, 3-0. Karli Chapin and Prezli Piscopo both scored against the Wildcats. In the win over the Clippers, Chapin scored twice and Tori McGrath tickled the twine as well. 

“We knew coming in that it would be a tough battle and we didn’t want to sit back on our heels, so we attacked,” Chapin said.

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“We played too direct in the first half, but in the second half, we dominated,” Cape Elizabeth first-year coach Graham Forsyth said. “They hit the crossbar and that could have swung momentum, but we deserved it tonight. We know what we want to do and I have an unbelievable group of girls.”

The Capers (first in the Class B South Heals) hosted Lake Region Wednesday, welcome Fryeburg Academy Friday and go to Poland Thursday of next week.

Defending Class A South champion Scarborough took an 8-0 record into Wednesday’s home tilt versus Noble after a 6-0 victory at Sanford last week. Madison Blanche, Sarah Callahan, Molly Murnane, Caitlin Noiles, Grace Pettingill and Ashley Sabatino each had one goal. The Red Storm (fourth in the region) play at Cheverus Friday, visit Massabesic Monday and go to Marshwood Wednesday of next week.

South Portland was 2-5-2 and 12th in Class A South after a 6-2 win at Biddeford and a 2-0 home loss to Falmouth. In the victory, Evelyn Selser scored three times, Hattie Tetzlaff had two goals and Brooklynn Ortiz added one. The Red Riots were home with Westbrook Wednesday, welcome Sanford Monday and visit Noble Wednesday of next week.

In Class D South, GPCS was 1-8 and 10th after losses at Rangeley (13-0), at North Yarmouth Academy (16-0) and Vinalhaven (3-2). The Lions hosted Pine Tree Academy Thursday and play host to Buckfield Saturday.

Field hockey

Scarborough’s field hockey team took a 7-2 record into Wednesday’s home showdown against Cheverus (see theforecaster.net for game story). The Red Storm beat visiting Bonny Eagle, 5-1, last week behind two goals from Caroline Timpson and one apiece from Avni Bhatnagar, Abby Roy and Caitlin Tyrrell. Scarborough (fifth in the Class A South Heals at press time) goes to Kennebunk Friday, visits Windham for a makeup game Monday and closes at home versus Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

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South Portland fell to 1-10 and 15th in Class A South following losses to visiting Gorham (2-1), host Falmouth (3-1) and at home to Thornton Academy (2-0). Molly Walker scored in the loss to the Yachtsmen. After going to Sanford Wednesday, the Red Riots host Portland Friday and close the regular season at defending regional champion Westbrook Tuesday of next week.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth fell to 0-11 and 12th after losses at Freeport (7-0) and St. Dom’s (6-0). The Capers were at Yarmouth Thursday, host Sacopee Valley Saturday and close at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday of next week. 

Volleyball

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B state champion volleyball team improved to 11-0 after straight-set wins at defending Class A champ Scarborough (25-9, 26-24, 25-19), at home over Portland (25-8, 25-11, 25-17) and Greely (25-22, 25-16, 25-8). 

“I didn’t think we’d win easily,” Capers coach Sarah Boeckel said after the win over the Red Storm. “I know (Scarborough’s) a very good team and they know how to win. We came out and shocked them a little bit.” 

Cape Elizabeth (first in Class B) went to Falmouth for a state rematch Thursday and host Windham Tuesday.

Scarborough fell to 7-2 and third in Class A after falling at home in straight sets to Cape Elizabeth (9-25, 24-26, 19-25).

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“This team never quits, no matter the score,” Stoddard said. “It would have been easy to fold, but the girls aren’t quitters. We have to work on our offense. We gave them confidence today with the same high sets over and over again. We have to be quicker.”

After visiting Thornton Academy Thursday, the Red Storm play at Greely Friday and visit Portland Tuesday of next week.

South Portland was 5-5 and eighth in Class A after a straight-set (25-8, 25-14, 25-18) home win over Portland and a four-set (26-28, 25-20, 14-25, 18-25) loss at Biddeford. In the win, Ashlee Aceto had 21 assists, while Maria Degifico added nine aces and five kills. The Red Riots were at York Thursday, host Windham Saturday and welcome Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland took part in the Festival of Champions cross country meet in Belfast Saturday.

In the boys’ meet, Scarborough finished third, Cape Elizabeth came in ninth and South Portland finished 28th (Brunswick was first). Individually, the Red Storm’s Tristram Coffin was fourth, completing the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 6.22 seconds. The Capers were paced by Jack Bassett (12th, 16:36.08). The Red Riots’ top finisher was Cliff Robbins-Sennewald (33rd, 17:15.48).

In the 58-team girls’ race, won by Bonny Eagle, the Capers finished 10th, the Red Storm were 12th and the Red Riots came in 44th. Cape Elizabeth’s Lila Gaudrault came in seventh individually (18:51.36). Scarborough’s top finisher was Megan Randall (12th, 19:19.23). South Portland was led by Eileen Porterfield (152nd, 22:56.95).

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Friday, Scarborough runs with Falmouth, Gorham, and Windham at Westbrook, South Portland joins Cheverus and Deering at Portland and Cape Elizabeth hosts Freeport, Greely and Lake Region and.

Golf

The Southwestern Maine Activities Association golf state qualifier was held Monday. Defending Class A champion Scarborough qualified again by posting the best team score, 322. The Red Storm also qualified individuals Anthony Burnham (who shot an 18-hole round of 77), Ethan Mason (81), Peter Malia (81) and Cam Chamberlain (83). South Portland (353) and placed 10th, but didn’t qualify. 

The Western Maine Conference qualifier was Wednesday.

The team state match is Saturday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The individual state match is Saturday, Oct. 13, at Natanis.

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


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