Soccer balls were flying at just about every conceivable location near Cape Elizabeth High School last week as the school held its annual Cape girls soccer jamboree. Varsity and junior varsity teams from Maine and New Hampshire were represented at the pre-season tournament that helps prepare players for their upcoming schedules in a competitive and friendly atmosphere.
All of the exhibition games were 50 minutes in length with no halftime break. In many instances, teams would play a game then rest and re-group for an hour before playing again. Coaches used the off time to make adjustments, go over some fundamentals, re-enforce play that was done correctly and take a peek at the other teams who were playing during that time period.
“What I really like about the jamboree is the geographical diversity (of the teams),” said Cape Elizabeth girls soccer coach Kevin Harvey. “You are not playing anybody that you’d see during the regular season. It’s a good, fun day of soccer.”
The new Hannaford Field saw plenty of use as did the track field and Capano Field where all of the junior varsity games were played.
Schools taking part in last weekend’s festivities included South Portland, Edward Little, North Yarmouth Academy, Bangor, Hampden Academy, Bonny Eagle, Hanover (N.H.) and Cape Elizabeth.
The season opener for the Cape Elizabeth girls soccer team will take place Friday at 7 p.m. when the Capers are scheduled to play York. The Capers were 5-5-4 in 2006.
The Scarborough girls soccer team plays a scrimmage at Kennebunk on Friday at 3:30. They open the year on Tuesday with a home game against Gorham. The Red Storm was 11-2-1 in 2006.
The South Portland girls open their season on Friday afternoon when they host Thornton Academy. The Red Riots had an 8-5-1 record a year ago.
Boys soccer
The Cape Elizabeth boys soccer team begins its Western Maine season on Friday when they travel to York for a 3:30 p.m. match-up with the Wildcats. The Capers were 9-7-2 in 2006.
The Scarborough boys soccer team opens the season at Gorham on Wednesday evening. The Red Storm reached the Class A state final in 2006 before falling to Bangor. They finished with a 16-1-1 overall mark.
The South Portland boys begin their season at Thornton Academy on Friday afternoon. The Red Riots were 3-10-1 last season.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
