Waynflete’s Ava Farrar winds up for a shot during the Flyers’ 3-0 home win over St. Dom’s last week.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Cheverus-Scarborough and Portland-South Portland boys’ soccer and Cheverus-Scarborough, Portland-South Portland, Portland-Scarborough and Waynflete-St. Dom’s girls’ soccer game stories, see theforecaster.net)

The postseason is set to begin with the golf championships this weekend and other sports aren’t far behind. The short but sweet regular season is quickly slipping away and games take on more and more importance by the day.

Here’s a look at where things stand now that the calendar has flipped to October:

Boys’ soccer

Deering’s boys’ soccer team was undefeated at press time after shutout wins at Windham (4-0) and Noble (7-0) last week. Leo Da Graca, Chris Irakoze, Hisham Ramadan and Iessa Ramadan had the goals in the win over the Eagles. Against the Knights, Pedro Lusogandio scored twice and Nick James, Erick Martinez-Pereira, Jonata Mbongo, Muzammel Osmani Azizi and Iessa Ramadan added one goal apiece. The Rams (8-0-1 and third behind Falmouth and Gorham in the Class A South Heal Points standings at press time) were home with Marshwood Tuesday, visit Massabesic Thursday and play host to Thornton Academy in a critical battle Tuesday of next week.

Portland ran the gamut of emotions last week. dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker at South Portland, then upsetting visiting Scarborough, 2-1. In the loss, the Bulldogs had ample chances, but couldn’t finish and the Red Riots scored with 44 seconds to play in regulation.

“For the guys to play the way they did and have it come down to that (goal), it’s tough,” said longtime Portland coach Rocco Frenzilli. “It’s heartbreaking to go through 79 minutes and lose like that. I thought we played with them and controlled the ball a lot. They were the ones who finished. I feel badly for the boys. I’ve been in these before, but the older I get, the more difficult they are to take. We had some chances.”

The Bulldogs then fell behind the Red Storm, 1-0, in the first half, but rallied as goals from Alex Frank and Quinn Clarke gave Portland its first home win over Scarborough since the 2002 Western A preliminary round of the playoffs. 

“Talk about a game of emotions,” Frenzilli said. “One minute you’re down and the next you’re up. Wow.”

The Bulldogs (6-2-1 and fifth in Class A South) were home with Bonny Eagle Tuesday, have a key showdown at preseason favorite Gorham Thursday and host Biddeford on Senior Night Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus fell to 4-6 and 13th in Class A South (only 12 teams make the playoffs) after a 4-0 home loss to Scarborough and a 3-2 setback at Bonny Eagle. Tanner LaFlamme and John Mullin scored in the loss to the Scots. Against the Red Storm, Cheverus managed only one shot.

“Scarborough’s a seasoned group and they’re ready to compete right now for a state championship and we’re not at that level,” said Stags first-year coach Matt Andreasen. “The biggest discrepancy today was they’re physically on another level.”

Cheverus was home with Gorham Tuesday, visits South Portland in a playoff rematch Thursday, hosts Sanford Tuesday of next week, then closes at Deering next Thursday.

In Class C South, defending regional champion Waynflete did a little of everything last week, losing at home to two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth (4-1), beating host St. Dom’s (3-0) and rallying for a 1-1 draw at Freeport. Mykel Henry had the goal against the Clippers. Ilyas Abdi scored twice in the victory and Christian Brooks also found the back of the net. Abdi’s goal in the final minute of regulation gave the Flyers the tie against the Falcons. Waynflete (4-3-2 and ninth in the Heals) was at Traip Academy Tuesday, visits North Yarmouth Academy Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and hosts Sacopee Valley Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

Cheverus and Portland’s girls’ teams were stymied by the same foe last week.

The Stags dropped a 3-1 decision at Scarborough last Wednesday. Mackenzie Johnston scored in the first half for a 1-0 lead, but the Red Storm tied the game with 29 minutes to go, then scored twice late to end Cheverus’ six-game unbeaten streak.

“You have ebbs and flows in the game,” Stags coach Craig Roberts said. “We did a good job I thought of withstanding their momentum, but a failed clear tied the game. They had a nice set piece for the lead and for their third goal too. I think it was a lot closer than 3-1, but this team isn’t into moral victories.”

Cheverus then improved to 6-2-1 and fifth in the Class A South Heal Points standings with a 4-2 home victory over Bonny Eagle Friday. Emma Gallant and Emily Turner both scored two goals. The Stags have a huge test at defending regional champion Gorham Wednesday and host South Portland Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

Portland also lost at Scarborough, 3-0, Saturday, but first, the Bulldogs held off visiting South Portland, 2-1, behind second half goals from freshmen twin sisters Isabella More and Annika More. 

“I knew we’d score eventually,” Isabella More said. “We had possession, so I knew we’d get one. Everyone worked together well. We were more confident in the second half.” 

“We were explosive, but we weren’t finishing in the first half,” Portland’s first-year coach Curtis Chapin said. “To be fair, they were better with possession. We made some changes and I think we came out and settled down in the second half.”

Annika More’s goal came on a corner kick from Hayliegh Blanchard, who also played a key role on defense in the win.

“I had a header that hit the post before, then Hayleigh’s corner went right off my head and in,” More said. “It’s been eye-opening learning so much from the older players. It’s been a fun experience. They’ve taught me so much.”

“Normally, I’m looking for Kate (Johnson) on corner kicks, but the twins have done really well, so I look for them too,” Blanchard said. “They’re the future of our team. To have good, strong freshmen who know how to play is really helpful.”

In the loss, the Bulldogs got nine saves, several of them highlight reel, from senior goalkeeper Taylor Crosby, but they only managed three shots on goal (none in the first 55 minutes) and saw their three-game win streak end.

“I know we’re a better team than this,” Chapin said. “We all expected coming in here to get a result. We gave them a little too much respect early and stepped off and gave up too much space.”

Portland (5-2-2 and sixth in Class A South) goes to Bonny Eagle Wednesday and hosts Gorham Friday. 

Deering began the week 4-5 and 11th in Class A South (12 teams make the playoffs) after a 4-2 home loss to Windham and a 2-0 home victory over Noble last week. Kiaya Gatchell and Ewka Varney scored in the loss. Varney and Candy Odhiambo had the goals in the victory. The Rams are at Marshwood Wednesday, host Massabesic Saturday and visit Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Maine Girls’ Academy went 1-1 last week, winning, 2-0, at Massabesic, and falling, 9-1, at Windham. Claire Reid and Ruth Reischmann scored in the victory and Catherine Reid had the lone goal against the Eagles. The Lions (2-5-1 and 15th in Class A South) hosted Noble Tuesday and welcome Marshwood Friday.

Defending Class C South champion Waynflete sandwiched home draws against Old Orchard Beach (1-1) and Freeport (0-0) around a 3-0 home win over St. Dom’s last week. Ava Farrar forced a tie with a second half goal against the Seagulls. In the win, Farrar, Amelia Bertaska and freshman Carla Sandberg all tickled the twine.

“We had a frustrating first half, but we had to push past that mental barrier,” Farrar said. “For a little while, we’ve focused on finishing. Today, we talked about doing it for our team, for our seniors. I’m really proud we came together and were able to finish today.”

“We just got our feet under us,” said Waynflete coach Todd Dominski. “We forced more pressure and it was about composure in finishing. The pressure has been there, but the composure hasn’t. Finding the composure and doing it was good.” 

The Flyers (5-2-2 and fifth in Class C South) took a five-game unbeaten streak into Tuesday’s home tilt versus Traip Academy. After going to Old Orchard Beach Friday, Waynflete is at Sacopee Valley Monday.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team appears to be lone local squad which is playoff bound and it earned its biggest victory last week when it edged visiting Massabesic, 2-1, in double overtime, handing the Mustangs their first loss in the process. Hannah Abbott scored in regulation and Sophia Pompeo delivered the winner. The Stags then improved to 8-3 and fifth in the Class A South Heal Points standings with a 6-0 victory at Deering. Abbott scored three more goals, Pompeo had two and Bella Booth also rattled the cage. After hosting Gorham in a pivotal test Monday, Cheverus is home against Bonny Eagle Wednesday (see theforecaster.net for game story) before closing at Biddeford Friday.

Deering fell to 1-10 and 14th in Class A South (where only 11 teams qualify for the postseason) after losing, at home to Marshwood (5-0) and Cheverus (6-0) last week. The Rams were at Biddeford Monday, go to Bonny Eagle Friday, then close at home versus Windham Tuesday of next week.

Portland began the week 2-8 and 15th following last Thursday’s 7-0 home loss to Thornton Academy. The Bulldogs were at Westbrook Monday, host red-hot Scarborough Wednesday, visit South Portland Friday and close at Sanford Tuesday of next week.

The Maine Girls’ Academy/Waynflete co-op team fell to 0-10 and 14th in Class B South (where 10 teams qualify) after losses last week to visiting Wells (4-1), at Sacopee Valley (7-0) and Wells (2-1) and at home to Old Orchard Beach (2-1). Gabby Eng had the Flying Lions’ goal against the Warriors and Ruth Connelly scored in the loss to the Seagulls. After going to North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday, the Flying Lions are home with St. Dom’s Thursday, host Sacopee Valley Friday and close at Old Orchard Beach Tuesday of next week.

Volleyball

Cheverus and Deering’s volleyball teams are on track for a playoff berth, while Portland has some work to do to qualify.

The Stags last week beat visiting Portland, 3-1, then won in straight sets (25-16, 25-14, 25-23) at Lake Region to improve to 5-4 and ninth in the Class A Heal Points standings. After playing at Brunswick Tuesday, Cheverus welcomes Kennebunk Thursday and visits Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Deering lost in straight sets (12-25, 14-25, 22-25) at home to defending Class A champion Scarborough, then improved to 6-3 with a 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-16) home victory over Kennebunk. The Rams (11th in Class A) were at Marshwood Tuesday, host Brunswick Thursday and go to Windham Tuesday of next week.

Portland fell to 2-7 and 18th in Class A (only 15 teams make the playoffs) after losses last week at Cheverus (3-1) and at home to Marshwood (3-0, 21-25, 24-26, 23-25). The Bulldogs looked to snap a five-match skid when they went to Kennebunk Tuesday. After going to Lake Region Thursday, Portland visits Wells Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

A pair of city cross country teams made the trip to Belfast Saturday to compete in the annual Festival of Champions.

Deering’s boys were third out 61 scoring teams, trailing only Falmouth and Scarborough. Yahya Nure was 13th individually with a time of 16 minutes, 36.62 seconds and Alec Troxell was one spot behind in 16:36.76. Cheverus placed 48th and was led by Scout Tucker (209th, 19:02.30). 

In the girls’ meet, won by Cumberland (Rhode Island), Cheverus came in 26th and Deering was 35th (58 teams took part). The Stags were paced by Rosie Train (67th, 20:46.59). The Rams’ top finisher was Nicole Whipkey (83rd, 21:01.27). 

Waynflete stayed a little closer to home and joined Freeport, Wells and York at Traip Academy. The Flyers girls were a close second to the Warriors, as Ellie Chidsey was fifth individually (20:18). In the boys’ meet, Waynflete came in fourth and Henry Spritz led the way with a fourth-place finish (16:09).

This weekend, Cheverus welcomes Biddeford, Bonny Eagle and Noble, Deering hosts Marshwood, Scarborough and Thornton Academy, Maine Girls’ Academy welcomes Massabesic, Westbrook and Windham, Portland hosts Gorham, Sanford and South Portland and Waynflete joins Falmouth, Freeport and Gray-New Gloucester at Greely.

Golf

The golf regular season has concluded and the team state match is Saturday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

Cheverus will take part after shooting a team score of 316 at the SMAA qualifier Monday. The Stags were second, four strokes behind Greely. Portland (339) finished seventh, but only six teams qualified and the Bulldogs wound up nine stroke behind sixth-place Scarborough. Deering (378) was 12th and also fell short.

Cheverus had the best regular season among city teams, winding up 8-2 after defeating South Portland (10-3) and Deering (12-1).

Portland wound up 4-6 after losing to Falmouth (10.5-2.5) and Scarborough (9.5-3.5).

Deering went 0-10, closing with losses to Scarborough (12-1) and Cheverus (12-1).

The girls’ individual state meet qualifier was held last week. Cheverus’ Ana Sanders (who shot at 102) made the cut and will take part in the state match Oct. 15 at Natanis.

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

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