Portland: Final stretch of fall regular season arrives

The fall sports season has crowned its first champions in golf and one city team took part on the final day.

The other fall sports have made the turn for home in terms of regular season action and a lot of questions remain in regards to who will make the playoffs and where they’ll be seeded.

After another dramatic week, here’s where things stand:

Golf

Cheverus’ golf team capped its terrific season by qualifying for the Class A state match, held Monday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.

The Stags shot a team score of 334, good for seventh place (Falmouth won the title with a round of 312). Cheverus was paced by Liam Cloutier, who had an 18-hole round of 79, which tied him for 12th place individually. Also scoring for the Stags were Mick Madden (84, tied for 28th), Andrew Riley (84, tied for 28th) and Mathew Paradis (87, tied for 41st).

Portland didn’t qualify as a team, but Lucas Milliken took part as an individual and shot an 83, which tied him for 24th.

Deering didn’t qualify as a team, but Conor Greene tied for 41st with a round of 87.

Football

Portland’s football team began life without senior standout/team heart-and-soul Reegan Buck Saturday with a decisive 41-7 home win over Noble to 6-0 (good for the top spot in the Class A North Crabtree Points standings). Playing in the rain, the Bulldogs went ahead to stay in the first quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run from Aidan McGowan. Louis Thurston then connected with Hunter Temple for a 69-yard TD pass to make it 13-0 at the half. Thurston hit Brody Viola for an 11-yard score, then found Cordell Jones for a 43-yard TD for a 27-0 advantage after three periods. Jones added a fourth quarter touchdown run and Viola returned an interception for the final points.

“We were very pleased with the team’s effort against a very good Noble team,” said Portland first-year coach Sean Green. “It started with a tremendous week of practice. With their offense and their quarterback specifically, we really stressed discipline as a unit on defense and our guys delivered. We contained him in the run game and had three interceptions. two of them from Brody, including one for a touchdown. Brody also had a receiving TD on offense on a tremendous throw by Louis on an RPO (run-pass option). It was the best game of the year for Brody for sure. One of many guys that stepped up in the absence of Buck.

“Offensively, we had our highs and lows, but made some big plays along the way. Aidan continues to be the driving force of our offense, gaining very tough yards against defenses that are loading the box to stop him. Louis continues to grow and had great command of our offense. Despite the weather, he threw for three TD passes. Hunter and Cordell both really stepped up in the receiving and running game providing explosive plays when we needed them most. Our offensive line played well. Especially later in the game, they seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Our special teams has been tremendous as well. Great kickoff coverage has been a key to the field position battle the past couple of weeks. All units played well.

“Overall, we were happy with how the guys responded to some major adversity. Players stepped up in the absence of their brother and made him proud. They want to prove that football is not a one man sport and that we are a deep and talented team. We have a lot of work to do but we like our direction. Reegan toughed it out and showed up to the game despite still having a broken collarbone and having not yet had his surgery. This was a great surprise for the boys. He had some inspirational words for the team in pregame and voiced his happiness with the team’s effort in the postgame.”

Portland goes to 1-4 Scarborough Friday.

Cheverus bounced back from its lone loss with an impressive 46-6 “home” victory over Gardiner, in a game played on the turf at Deering Saturday night. After a scoreless first period, the Stags went up, 19-6, at halftime, thanks to Matt Baker touchdown runs of 1-yard, 1-yard and 2-yards. Baker added a 20-yard TD scamper in the third quarter to make it 27-6, then Joe Osei had touchdown runs of 5- and 8-yards and Dominic Cortez added a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth period to account for the final score. The Stags (5-1 and third in Class C South) visit Westbrook (2-4) Saturday afternoon (see our website for game story).

Deering fell to 4-2 with a 17-14 loss at Massabesic. The Rams (third in Class B South) fell behind, 17-6, and tried to rally behind a punt return for a score, but couldn’t quite catch up. Deering hosts 1-5 Gorham Friday.

Boys’ soccer

Deering’s Alberto Lucas-Bayata fights for the ball during last week’s loss at Windham. Brianna Soukup / Portland Press Herald

Deering’s boys’ soccer team was 7-2-2 and fourth in the Class A South Heal Points standing at press time after a 2-1 setback at top-ranked Windham and a 1-0 victory at Sanford. Against the Eagles, the Rams struck first on a goal from Chandrel Mangele-Laza, but gave up back-to-back second half goals to miss a chance to avenge last year’s playoff ouster.

“You saw after the first goal, guys stayed on the ground and they put their heads down,” said Deering coach Joel Costigan. “We talked about that after the game, using those opportunities even when we get scored on to motivate us.”

The Rams hosted Gorham Tuesday and welcome Portland Thursday (see our website for game story) before closing at Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

Portland improved to 9-1-1 and third in Class A South after beating host Biddeford (2-0) and Bonny Eagle (6-2) last week. Against the Tigers, Isaac Rodrigues-Nkanza scored a goal and assisted on a goal by Oliviera Nzolakio. In the win over the Scots, Martin Kalala-Wasukumbi had two goals, while Brandon Chacon, Max Kierstead, Baptista Muanda and Rodrigues-Nkanza all scored once. The Bulldogs hosted Massabesic Monday, go to Deering Thursday and close at home versus Marshwood Tuesday of next week.

Cheverus freshman Ange-Michel Liwanga tries to get past a Scarborough defender during Friday’s 6-3 home loss. Michael Hoffer / The Forecaster

Cheverus was 3-7 and 11th in Class A South (where 12 teams qualify for the playoffs) following a 7-1 win at Noble and a 6-3 home loss to reigning regional champion Scarborough. In the setback, Shane McGrath scored twice, Anselm Arbogast also found the net and Griffin MacLeod made 10 saves.

“We’re super-young,” said Stags’ first-year coach Ben Schulz. “We’re playing five freshmen at a time, but we don’t quit. We’ve played a lot of teams tough and I think we played Scarborough tough most of the game. This team’s got heart and as a first-year coach, that’s all I can ask, that we don’t quit and keep on playing.”

After hosting Falmouth Monday (see our website for game story), Cheverus visits Sanford Thursday and closes at home versus Deering Tuesday of next week.

“It’s going to be a process, but we’re confident we’re heading in the right direction as a program,” said Schulz. “We have freshmen playing in key spots in big games and they’re holding their own, so we’re really excited about the future and what we have. If we can sneak into the playoffs, I wouldn’t want to play us because we can give teams fits.”

Waynflete, the four-time reigning state champion, was 5-5-1 and fourth in Class C South after losses to visiting Freeport (1-0) and host Cape Elizabeth (5-1). The Flyers welcomed Traip Academy Tuesday, travel to Sacopee Valley Thursday, then close the regular season at defending Class D champion North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, Waynflete extended its win streak to three games and improved to 7-4 and third in the Class C South Heals after beating host Fryeburg Academy (6-1) last Thursday. Lydia Birknes, Morgan Earls and Lucy Hart scored two goals apiece. The Flyers were at Traip Academy Tuesday, host Sacopee Valley Friday, then close the regular season with a home showdown versus rival NYA Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, Cheverus was 7-3-1 and sixth following a 2-0 loss at Gorham and a 7-1 home victory over Biddeford. Evelyn Rush made 10 saves in the setback. In the win, Finley Brown and Sophia Monfa scored three goals apiece and Ava Lamkin scored her first varsity goal. The Stags were at Massabesic Monday, welcome Noble Wednesday, then finish at Windham Friday.

Portland was 3-7-1 and ninth in Class A South after a 6-0 loss at reigning Class A champion Scarborough, a 4-4 home draw versus perennial powerhouse Gorham and a 4-2 setback at Noble. In the tie, Anneliese Collin scored three goals and Phoebe Knoll also found the net. Collin had both goals in the loss to the Knights. The Bulldogs hosted Westbrook Tuesday, welcome South Portland Friday, then finish at Sanford Wednesday of next week.

Deering was 2-8-1 and was clinging to the 12th and final Class A South playoff berth at press time following losses last week to visiting Falmouth (2-1), host South Portland (3-0) and visiting Scarborough (3-0). Against the Navigators, Elsa Freeman scored the goal on a penalty kick and Sophie Hill stopped five shots, but it wasn’t enough.

“The girls’ effort tonight was fantastic,” said Rams coach Paul Cameron. “They worked their tails off. We just had a couple lapses in concentration. It’s getting frustrating. We’re pretty close. I think if you ask the Falmouth coach, he’d say they were a little lucky to get out of here with a win.”

Hill made 14 saves against the Red Storm. Deering was at Westbrook Monday, goes to Biddeford Saturday and closes at Thornton Academy Wednesday of next week.

“We have to beat the teams that we’re supposed to beat and take care of that first, then we have to surprise someone,” Cameron said. “We have to win some games and pick up some Heal Points.”

Field hockey

Cheverus’ powerhouse field hockey team, the reigning Class A South champion, improved to 10-0 and extended its regular season win streak to 42 games after downing visiting Scarborough (5-1) and Noble (4-0) and host Windham (7-0). Against the Red Storm, Lucy Johnson scored three goals, while Lily Johnson and freshman Caroline Rousseau also rattled the cage. In the win over the Knights, Lucy Johnson continued to have no peer, scoring three goals, including the 100th of her illustrious career (in less than three seasons), becoming the first Stag to do so and just the fifth player all-time in Maine.

“Getting extra attention from the defense is a confidence boost, but I definitely think that if I do get the ball and can’t get around someone, I know I have my teammates and I know they’re open,” said Johnson.

“Lucy’s tenacious, her change of speed and direction is second-to-none and she has a knack for finding the goal,” said Stags coach Theresa Arsenault. “She’s a very special player.”

In the win over the Eagles, Lily Johnson and Lucy Johnson both had two goals, while Joey Pompeo, Zoey Radford and Sophia St. John added one apiece. Cheverus (which has the top spot in the Class A South Heals solidified) was at Falmouth Monday (see our website for game story), hosts Sanford Wednesday, visits South Portland/Westbrook Friday and closes the regular season at Noble Monday of next week.

“I definitely think we’re having a good season,” said Lucy Johnson, who had 25 goals on the year at press time. “We’ve taken it one game at a time and we’ve really been on our game. We don’t underestimate any team we play. We don’t get too cocky.”

“We’ve just going to continue working on transitioning and moving together and really honing in on our defense,” said Arsenault. “Field hockey is a game where you might not find the goal, so holding the other team down on the other end will be very important.”

Portland/Deering was 3-7 and 12th in Class A South (where 10 teams qualify for the playoffs) following a 1-0 victory at Bonny Eagle and a 7-0 home loss to Falmouth. Goalie Emma Walsh made 27 saves against the Navigators. Portland/Deering was at Sanford Tuesday, hosts South Portland Wednesday (see our website for game story), visits Kennebunk Friday and closes at Windham Saturday.

In Class C South, Waynflete was 3-6 and eighth after wins over visiting Traip Academy (2-1, in overtime) and Telstar (4-3) last week. Against the Rangers, Sara Levenson scored in regulation and Nicole Adler put home a pass from Tilsley Kelly to win it in OT. Sumeya Hussein scored two goals and Kelly and Ava Van der Schaaf added one apiece in the victory over the Rebels. The Flyers, who hope to qualify for the playoffs in their first year returning to stand-alone varsity status, hosted Fryeburg Academy Monday, welcome Mt. View Saturday, then close at home versus Sacopee Valley Monday of next week.

Volleyball

All three city volleyball teams appear playoff-bound.

Deering continued its fine season last week with victories at Brunswick (3-1) and at home over Falmouth (3-0). The Rams improved to 10-2 and fourth in the Class A statewide Heal Points standings. Deering was at reigning Class A state champion Biddeford Tuesday, then closes the regular season Thursday at Portland.

Portland was 7-4 and sixth in Class A after a 3-0 win at Edward Little last week. The Bulldogs host Windham Wednesday, welcome Deering Thursday and close at South Portland Monday of next week.

Cheverus was also 7-4 and ninth in Class A (where 12 teams make the playoffs) following straight set losses to visiting Falmouth (21-25, 15-25, 19-25) and host Gorham last week. The Stags were at Bonny Eagle Monday, host Kennebunk Thursday, then close at Biddeford Monday of next week.

Cross country

Cheverus hosted Deering, Portland, South Portland and Westbrook in a cross country meet last week at Smiling Hill Farm.

In the girls’ race, the Bulldogs were first, the Stags came in second and the Rams finished fourth. Individually, Portland’s Samantha Moore led the way with a first-place finish in 19 minutes, 20.59 seconds. Cheverus’ Allie Schmitt was fourth (21:46.66). Deering’s Zabel Kasabian came in 11th (24:08.38).

In the boys’ meet, Portland finished first, Cheverus was third and Deering placed fourth. The Bulldogs were led by Nathan Blades (first, 16:36.88). The Stags were paced by Ambrose McCullough (fourth, 17:35.85). The Rams’ top finisher was Ellis Wood (third, 17:32.12).

Waynflete took part in a five-team meet at Cape Elizabeth. The Flyers boys were third. Pi Crosby (seventh, 18:10) was the top individual. The girls were fourth and were led by Paige Alexander (eighth, 22:09).

Press Herald staff writer Steve Craig contributed to this story.