Under beautiful blue skies with a nip in the air, the 2009 fall sports season kicked off last weekend.

It didn’t take long for local standouts to make their mark, suggesting that this autumn will prove to be yet another full of triumph.

Here’s a glimpse:

Field hockey

Prior to last Friday, the South Portland field hockey team hadn’t won a game since Oct. 15, 2006, but the Red Riots began the new year on a high note and snapped their 29-game winless streak with a 1-0 home triumph over Noble.

Junior Felicia Farnham did the scoring honors, taking a pass from senior Esther Palmieri and converting early in the second half and the South Portland defense and freshman goalie Lani Edwards slammed the door from there.

“I know we all felt the weight off our shoulders and the ‘monkey off our backs’ with this first win,” said Red Riots coach Heather Seavey. “The girls really came out and played hard and dominated the play with nine shots on goal versus Noble’s two and dictated the tempo.

“I’ve been carrying around a brand new field hockey stick since the 2007 season. It was supposed to go to the next person who had the game-winning goal. It has been in my cellar for the past two years and it has finally been awarded to Felicia. We literally had it laced in red leis and a big red bow and gave it to her after the game.”

South Portland came back to earth Tuesday with a 6-0 loss at Sanford, but the program is unquestionably heading in the right direction. The Red Riots host Westbrook Friday, go to Biddeford Monday and welcome Cheverus Wednesday.

Elsewhere, defending Western A champion Scarborough opened its season in style, getting a whopping six goals from senior standout Brittany Ross in a 12-0 romp at Portland last Friday. The Red Storm were back in action Thursday (too late for print) at Thornton Academy. Saturday, Scarborough visits Windham. Monday, it is home against Bonny Eagle and Wednesday the Red Storm play at Deering.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth got off to a solid start with a 1-0 home win over Yarmouth Saturday. Junior Ally Boyington’s early tally held up. The Capers went to reigning state champion York Wednesday (too late for print), host Wells Friday and Lake Region Tuesday.

Football

While Cape Elizabeth cruised to a victory and South Portland went down to defeat in their respective football openers (please see accompanying stories), Scarborough fought hard, but ultimately fell just short at home against Massabesic. The Red Storm got a couple of TD passes from sophomore Kolbey Adams to junior Zach Bean, but after pulling within 16-13, couldn’t get possession again and went down to defeat. Scarborough looks to even its record Saturday when it goes to York County powerhouse Thornton Academy (1:30 p.m. kickoff).

Boys’ soccer

The Scarborough boys’ soccer team dominated everyone from start to finish a year ago during its Class A championship season. Despite being hard-hit by graduation, the Red Storm are back at it in 2009. Last Friday, Scarborough began its title defense with a 10-0 romp at Massabesic behind three goals apiece from senior Trevor Hoxsie and sophomore Andrew Jones. Tuesday night, the host Red Storm passed a big test with a 3-0 victory over Portland. Three different players scored and new freshman goalkeeper Tennessee Peters made several key saves. Scarborough is home with South Portland Friday and travels to Marshwood Monday and Gorham Wednesday.

Speaking of the Red Riots, they’re looking to build on last year’s solid campaign and have gotten off to a pretty good start. South Portland tied visiting Westbrook, a traditional power, in its opener last Friday, 1-1 (behind a penalty kick goal from sophomore Nemanja Kaurin). Tuesday, the Red Riots earned their first win, 3-2 over visiting Noble. South Portland follows its Friday trip to Scarborough with a visit to Massabesic Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth downed host Gray-New Gloucester 4-0 in its opener Friday. Senior Brock Barritt scored twice. The Capers then suffered a agonizing 2-1 loss at defending Class B champion Yarmouth Tuesday. Barritt scored 16 minutes into the match to give his team the lead, but the Clippers bounced right back with a goal to even the score. Then, 16 minutes into the second half, just moments after senior Ben Brewster’s 30-yard blast dinged off the right post, Yarmouth got the go-ahead goal and held on for the victory. Cape Elizabeth hosted Fryeburg Thursday (too late for print) and travels to powerhouse Falmouth Monday.

Girls’ soccer

In girls’ action, Cape Elizabeth enjoyed a 2-1 season-opening home win over Gray-New Gloucester last Friday (thanks to goals from senior Meredith Riker and junior Karyn Barrett), then tied host Yarmouth 0-0 Tuesday night. The Capers were at Fryeburg Thursday (too late for print), visit Wells Saturday, then host defending Class B champion Falmouth Monday.

In Class A, Scarborough one-upped the boys’ team in its first game, winning 11-0 at Massabesic. Sophomore Haley Carignan scored three times. The Red Storm looked to go 2-0 Wednesday night (too late for print) when they played at Portland. Friday, Scarborough hosts dangerous Marshwood.

South Portland knocked off host Westbrook 2-0 in its first game Friday. The Red Riots hoped to make it two in a row Wednesday (too late for print) when they welcomed Noble. Saturday morning, South Portland plays host to Cheverus. Next Wednesday, Massabesic pays a visit.

Cross country

Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough’s cross country teams kicked off the 2009 season in style last week at the Chandler Relays in Cumberland.

The Scarborough boys, the defending Class A champion, won the boys’ race, beating 10 other teams. Nate Hathaway had the fastest individual time, completing the 1.95-mile course in 9 minutes, 58 seconds. Cape Elizabeth came in fourth.

In the girls’ race, the defending Class B champion Capers of Cape Elizazbeth had three of the top four finishers (including overall winner Emily Attwood, 11:57) to place first. Scarborough, the defending Class A winner, was third.

The Red Storm boys went on to win the SMAA Relays three days later in Saco. Scarborough’s girls placed second to Cheverus.

Cape Elizabeth had its first regular season meet at Freeport (along with Fryeburg and Greely) last Friday. The Capers won the girls’ race and placed second to the defending Class B champion Rangers on the boys’ side.

South Portland hosts Noble and Windham in its first regular season meet Friday.

Golf

On the links, Cape Elizabeth opened Tuesday with a 5-2 loss to York. The Capers hope to get their first win Friday when they host Yarmouth.

Scarborough edged visiting Westbrook 7-6 in its opener Tuesday. The Red Storm hosted Cheverus Wednesday and Portland Thursday (both matches were too late for print).

South Portland was a 7-4 winner at Portland in its first match, then lost 13-0 to defending Class A champion Deering Tuesday. After hosting Westbrook Thursday (too late for print), the Red Riots visit Cheverus Monday.

Volleyball

Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth’s volleyball teams are still seeking their first win of the season.

The Red Storm started with a 3-1 (16-25, 21-25, 25-21, 19-25) home loss to Falmouth, then fell in straight sets at Yarmouth (23-25, 24-26, 21-25) Tuesday night. They host NYA Friday and go to Cape Elizabeth Monday.

The Capers fell in five-sets at Cony in their first match. Prior to hosting Scarborough Monday, Cape Elizabeth is at Kennebunk Friday.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Elizabeth senior Ruth Perkins prepared to launch the ball downfield during Saturday’s season-opening 1-0 home win over Yarmouth.
Scarborough’s Sean Griffin placed fourth individually in leading the Red Storm to a team win at last week’s Chandler Relays in Cumberland.

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