Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

October 16, 2012

Girls' Soccer Notebook: Deering makes impression, on and off the field

By Greg Reid, Special to the Press Herald

There was a splash of purple and white amid all the pink on display during the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Sunday in downtown Portland.

About 35 members of the Deering girls' soccer team took part in the event, designed to raise money and awareness of efforts to combat the disease.

"Three-quarters of our program came out and we raised nearly $700," said Deering Coach Kevin Olson. "It's really important for these female athletes to be aware of a cause like this and to recognize the importance of early detection. The girls understand the need to give back and they enjoy it."

The walk capped a big week for Deering (9-4-1) after a 1-1 tie with Sanford Tuesday in the regular-season finale.

After a rainy, wind-blown 6-3 win at Marshwood on Wednesday, the Rams rallied Friday for a 3-2 overtime victory at Cheverus. Olson called it the biggest win of his best season in seven years at the school.

Why was the win so big? Earlier this season, Olson said, the Rams took solace in pushing Gorham to overtime before falling 1-0 on Sept. 12, and in taking a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 loss at Scarborough a week later.

"Those games show great improvement but it doesn't show anything past that," Olson said. The rally against the Stags "showed we can compete with great teams, and it showed we can overcome anything."

The win was fueled by the latest example of play between striker Alexis Elowitch and center midfielder Edie Pallozzi.

In the first half, Elowitch set up Pallozzi's goal to make it 1-1. Cheverus regained the lead before Pallozzi set up Elowitch to make it 2-2 with 12 minutes left to send the game into overtime. Forty-three seconds into OT, Elowitch knocked in Sam Sivovlos's long, arcing ball for the victory.

The big difference for Deering this year has been moving Pallozzi from the back line to the midfield, Olson said, where she can get more involved in the attack.

Elowitch leads the team with 14 goals and 6 assists. Pallozzi has 10 and 7.

 

DELANEY REGAN, a co-captain, ended her playing career at McAuley with a bang Saturday.

A senior midfielder from Old Orchard Beach, Regan converted a corner kick two minutes into overtime to give the Lions a 4-3 victory in a season finale against Westbrook.

The victory snapped a four-game winless streak for the Lions (3-10-1).

"It was a dramatic ending for a very dedicated student-athlete," McAuley Coach Vince Aceto said. "The goal came off a corner kick from Ayla Tarte, and Delaney trapped the ball, settled it and put it in."

 

COACHES LOVE to see players maintain enthusiasm, no matter the score. First-year Kennebunk coach John Dolan is leading by example.

Late in a recent 4-0 loss at Deering, there was Dolan, cheering his players on, telling his bench what to look for on the field, and, well, clearly enjoying himself.

His Rams seemed to be equally engaged. You'd never know they were mired in an 0-8-1 start.

"I'm trying to build a program where success comes from enthusiasm of play, sportsmanship, all the different places where the game mirrors life," Dolan said. "Obviously we want to win and the kids will get there. But if I help develop powerful, strong-willed really productive women moving forward, I've done my job."

Dolan, a neurologist with Southern Maine Medical Center, came to the bench with experience as the boys' junior varsity coach and longtime involvement in the town youth program.

"I know the talent that's coming down the pike, and I'm so excited to try to mold that into a real strong high school program," he said. "We're one or two pieces away from having a program that can challenge the top teams in the league for years. We're that close."

Kennebunk (2-11-1) wrapped up the regular season Tuesday night with a 1-0 loss toainst Biddeford.

 

WAYNFLETE RALLIED to claim the unofficial Class C Western Maine Conference title Friday in its 2-1 win over Old Orchard Beach. After the schools tied 2-2 on Sept. 24, bragging rights were on the line. The Seagulls (8-2-4), playing with just 12 players because of injuries, held a 1-0 lead at halftime. That didn't sit well with the Flyers (8-2-4).

"This was a huge game for us," said midfielder Walker Foehl. "After halftime we came out with a fire and just really wanted to score."

The Flyers' intensity forced the Seagulls to chase without the luxury of fresh legs. Waynflete pulled away for a 2-1 win.

Old Orchard Beach Coach Heath Floyd acknowledged Waynflete's strength but considers his squad, when healthy, to be close behind. Midfielder Anna Foss, who missed that game with an injury, was expected back for the playoffs. Floyd said, "I'd love to see them again when we're healthy."

 

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