(Ed. Note: For the complete Deering-South Portland girls’ soccer and Cheverus-Scarborough and Deering-Bonny Eagle field hockey game stories, please visit theforecaster.net)

With the colors changing and the temperatures dipping, it’s clear that fall is in the air. With September about to give way to October, it won’t be long until we’re talking about the postseason for local athletes.

The golf regular season ends this week, we’re just a couple weeks out from the start of the cross country postseason and soccer, field hockey and volleyball are closer to the end of their regular seasons than the beginning.

Here’s a glimpse at where teams stand and what’s to come.

Boys’ soccer

While the big city soccer news in recent days involved a Portland forfeit of a win against Deering (please see story), a happier story came from Waynflete, where longtime coach Brandon Salway reached the 200 career victory mark.

Salway, now in his 24th year, guided the Flyers to an 8-0 triumph at Sacopee Tuesday. In that one, Harry Baker-Connick scored twice and Willy Burdick, Jack Cutler, Kevin Kanakan, Peabo Knoth, Ahmed Mohamed and Paul Runyambo all added one goal apiece. 

“As a coach, I’m programmed to look forward to the next game, but, looking back, I have been fortunate to be at a place that has allowed me to coach and run the program the way I have wanted,” said Salway, who led Waynflete to three Class D championships and to a Class C title a year ago. “The championships and wins are memorable, but I am most proud of our growth from a class D independent playing very small schools, to a very competitive class C team in the Western Maine Conference, playing teams that 24 years ago probably didn’t know we existed athletically. I still remember the players from 1989 and the early 1990’s. They built the foundation of this. We have had dedicated assistants throughout the years, but honestly, good players have been the biggest reason for our success. It’s more of a team and program accomplishment than it is a personal achievement.”

Waynflete athletic director Ross Burdick feels that Salway is a big reason for the program’s excellence.

“The Waynflete community is thrilled to celebrate Brandon’s 200th soccer victory as a Flyer,” he said. “This is an exciting milestone for Coach Salway, his team, the soccer program and Waynflete as a whole. In an era when many coaches are leaving the profession, Brandon’s longevity and continued success are rare and impressive. He is a top-notch coach, a respected member of the coaching community and a first class individual. We are extremely proud of his accomplishment.”

The Flyers settled for a 1-1 draw at Class B Gray-New Gloucester Saturday, as Jack Cutler had the goal and Zander Majercik made seven saves. Waynflete (5-0-1 and sixth in the Western Class C Heal Points standings) goes to Traip Thursday and welcomes Sacopee Saturday. The Flyers host Traip Tuesday of next week.

In Western A, Deering is made a move up the standings. Not only did the Rams gain a victory by forfeit from Portland from their Sept. 6 contest, they bounced back from a 2-0 loss at South Portland with a 5-0 home win over Biddeford Thursday to improve to 4-2-1 (eighth in the Heals). In the victory, Billy Farrell and Qutaiba Hassan both scored twice. Deering was home with powerhouse Scarborough Tuesday, hosts Thornton Academy Friday and goes to Kennebunk Tuesday of next week.

Portland is 1-4-1 and 15th after the forfeit, a 2-2 tie at Biddeford and a 2-1 home win over Westbrook. In the draw, Tim Rovnak and Ibrahim Dahir had goals. Rovnak and Sam Farr scored in the victory. The Bulldogs were at Cheverus Tuesday for a playoff rematch (see theforecaster.net for game story), host Massabesic Thursday and go to Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus lost to visiting Windham (2-0) and at Kennebunk (3-2) last week as its skid hit four games.  Jamie Biegel and Isaac Yeboah had goals against the Rams. The 3-4 Stags took the No. 13 ranking into Tuesday’s home test with Portland. Cheverus is at Westbrook Thursday and goes to Thornton Academy Tuesday.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Deering lost, 4-0, at Thornton Academy Thursday, but bounced back (barely) Saturday morning at home against South Portland with a 2-1 win. In the loss, Lee Ann Downs made eight saves and Maddy Mazjanis three. The Rams trailed the Red Riots until just under 10 minutes remained when Edie Pallozzi tied the score. With 3:10 left, Pallozzi finished a corner kick from Samantha Sivovlos to complete the comeback.

“It just took us awhile,” said Pallozzi. “We knew we had to score win, obviously. It just happened. Once we got one, that got us pumped up.”

“We got it going just in time,” Deering coach Kevin Olson said. “Edie had a big game. This is her first year up at midfield. She’s been a center-back. With all her talent, I didn’t want to waste her back there. She dictated play and put the ball in net. She was awesome.”

The Rams (5-2 and eighth in Western A) had a big test at two-time defending regional champion Scarborough Tuesday and host McAuley Saturday.

Cheverus was 6-2 and third entering the week after following up a 3-1 loss at Windham last week with victories at Kennebunk (5-0) and at home over Sanford (2-1). In the setback, Darby Rawcliffe scored the goal. Abby Maker had three goals against the Rams and scored both against the Spartans. The Stags went to Portland Tuesday and host Westbrook Friday.

Vastly improved Portland entered the week 2-5-1 and 12th in the region after a 1-1 home tie against Biddeford, a 2-1 setback at Westbrook and a 3-0 home victory over Bonny Eagle last week. Isabel Stehli (from Oriana Smith) scored against the Tigers. Rachel Glover had the goal against the Blue Blazes. Stehli and Chessa Hoekstra had goals against the Scots. The Bulldogs hosted Cheverus Tuesday, go to Massabesic Friday and play host to McAuley next Tuesday.

Speaking of the Lions, they earned their first victory last week. After a hard fought 4-3 home loss to South Portland (Ayla Tartre had two goals, Sarah Clement one), McAuley beat visiting Bonny Eagle, 3-0, as Clement, Delaney Regan and Maddie Wade tickled the twine. Saturday, the Lions fell to 1-6 and 16th in Western A after an 8-0 loss at Gorham (despite 23 saves from Molly Miller). McAuley is home against Marshwood Wednesday, goes to Deering Saturday and hosts Kennebunk Monday.

In Western C, Waynflete blanked host Sacopee (2-0) and played visiting Gray-New Gloucester to a 1-1 draw last week. In the win, Arianna Giguere and Walker Foehl scored. Foehl had the goal in the tie as well. The Flyers (4-0-2 and seventh in the region) were at Old Orchard Beach Monday, host Traip Thursday and visit Traip Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Cheverus’ field hockey team hosted Scarborough Friday in a 48-hour delayed showdown of unbeatens. It wasn’t worth the wait for the Stags, who were coming off a 2-0 win at reigning Western A champion Marshwood (Staci Swallow and Meredith Willard scored), as the Red Storm scored three times in the first half en route to a 4-0 victory.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted,” Cheverus coach Amy McMullin said. “We haven’t been in that situation. To let them get one goal, then put our heads down, I can see why that happened. (Scarborough) came out and they played great. Credit to them. From that first goal, we were completely defeated. We can’t let that happen. It’s a regular season game. We’re not crying over it.”

The Stags (8-1 and still first, slightly, over Scarborough in the Western A Heals) hosted South Portland Tuesday, visit Gorham Thursday, and play host to Kennebunk Monday.

Deering has come a long way this season. The Rams, who won just two total games the past two seasons, began the week 4-4 and 10th. Last Wednesday, Deering blanked visiting Bonny Eagle, 3-0, as Amanda LeMoult, Kiana DiBiase and Rylie Turner scored.

“It’s definitely different and rewarding,” said DiBiase. “It’s new because we have such a young team, but we have a lot of talent. We’re just more confident in ourselves and the new coaching has helped a lot. Overall, we’re just happier and more bonded.”

“We played very well in the second half,” said first year Deering coach Liz Koharian. “I think it’s finally coming together. It was just (the girls) believing they could do it. I’ve seen them do it, so I know that they can. The switch comes on when we score a goal and they think, ‘We can do this.’ It’s exciting to see not just the scoring, but the passing and the flow of the game. They’re starting to believe they can win.”

The Rams suffered a tough 1-0 loss at Westbrook Saturday, but goalie Bri Delano made nine saves. Deering was at Portland Monday, hosts Noble Thursday, visits Marshwood Friday and plays host to Scarborough Monday of next week.

“Our goal is to make it into the playoffs,” DiBiase said. “Coach said she’d dye her hair purple if we make the playoffs. We need to keep the mentality we can play with all the other teams.”

“I feel like making playoffs for us this first season would be like going to states,” said Koharian.

Portland snapped a six-game skid by playing visiting Windham to a 0-0 tie last Wednesday. The Bulldogs lost, 3-0, at Thornton Academy in a playoff rematch Saturday to drop to 0-8-1 (15th in Western A). Portland was home against Deering Monday, goes to McAuley Thursday, hosts Bonny Eagle Saturday and is at Noble Monday of next week.

In Western C, Waynflete began the week 5-3 and seventh in the Heals after victories at Gray-New Gloucester (5-2) and Old Orchard Beach (4-1) and at home over Sacopee (5-0). Against the Patriots, Elizabeth Berthy and Madison Pellow had two goals each. Berthy, Nyanen Deng, Merilla Michael and Jo Moore scored against the Seagulls. Berthy and Deng had two goals each against the Hawks. The Flyers were home with Freeport Monday and visited Poland Tuesday, go to Traip Friday and return home to face Traip Monday of next week.

Cross country

Both Cheverus cross country teams came in second in a four-team meet at Kennebunk last weekend. The boys were paced by Parker Montano, who was second individually in 17 minutes, 16 seconds. Shannon Conley was third in the girls’ race, in 18:27.

Both Deering teams were fourth at a four-team meet at Scarborough. Yahye Hussein was sixth in the boys’ race (17:54). For the girls, Kathy Cho was 14th (26:29).

McAuley came in fourth at a four-team meet at Marshwood. Adele Werner came in fifth (25:02).

Portland hosted Westbrook and both teams won. The boys were paced by Ben Allen, who was first in 16:49. Abby Popenoe won the girls’ race in 22:19.

Waynflete joined six other teams at Falmouth Friday. The boys were third as Josh Espy came in 10th (18:33). The girls tied for third as Martha Veroneau came in fourth (21:27).

This weekend, Waynflete is at the Belfast Invitational, Cheverus hosts Marshwood and Windham, Deering is home with Bonny Eagle, McAuley (along with Kennebunk and Noble) runs at Scarborough and Portland (along with Biddeford and Gorham) is at Massabesic.

Golf

On the links, the regular season is coming to a close and the qualifiers and state matches are coming right up.

Cheverus appears to be the local squad with the best chance of making noise on a state level. The Stags beat top competitors Scarborough (7.5-5.5) and Falmouth (8-5) last week to improve to 6-2. Cheverus closed at home versus South Portland Tuesday and Deering Thursday.

The Rams fell to 2-6 with losses last week to Falmouth (12-1) and Portland (8.5-4.5). Deering was home with Scarborough Tuesday and finishes at Cheverus Thursday.

Portland’s win over Deering was preceded by a 9-4 victory over South Portland, leaving the Bulldogs 4-4 heading into regular season-ending meets  Falmouth Tuesday and Scarborough Thursday.

Waynflete got its second victory last Tuesday, 5-2 over Fryeburg. The Flyers fell to 2-4 Thursday with a 6-1 loss at NYA. Waynflete closes at Old Orchard Beach Thursday.

Volleyball

Cheverus’ first year varsity volleyball program earned its second victory last week, 3-0, over visiting Lake Region, then took defending Class B champion Yarmouth to five sets before losing, 3-2 (25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 9-15), to fall to 2-4 and 10th in Class A (where the top nine teams qualify for the playoffs). After hosting Gorham Monday, the Stags go to Kennebunk Thursday and welcome Scarborough Saturday.

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

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Cheverus senior Brooke Flaherty and Scarborough’s Rachael Wallace battle for possession during the teams’ showdown of unbeatens Friday. The Stags suffered their first loss, 4-0.

Deering junior Alexis Elowitch heads a shot over the goal as sophomore teammate Meaghan Wells looks on during the Rams’ 2-1, come from behind victory over South Portland Saturday.

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