Fall is always a time of triumph at Greely and 2011 should be no different. Girls’ soccer has a great shot at going all the way. The boys’ team hopes that missing the playoffs last year was an aberration. Football took a quantum leap in 2010 and only the wrong end of a coin kept it out of the postseason. Field hockey is on the short list of top Western B contenders. Both cross country teams will be strong, like always. Golf hopes to be one of the top teams in Class A. Volleyball isn’t defending a championship for the first time since 2002, but could easily get back to the top.

BOYS’ SOCCER

COACH: Michael Andreasen (14th year)

2010 Record: 6-7-1 (no postseason)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Keegan Donnelly (Senior), Will McAdoo (Senior), Paul Witte (Senior), Liam Campbell (Junior), Elijah Leverett (Junior), Jonah Normandeau (Junior), Matt Crowley (Sophomore), Ted Hart (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 3 (H) YORK, Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 12 @ York, Sept. 16 (H) CAPE ELIZABETH, Sept. 22 (H) YARMOUTH, Sept. 26 @ Falmouth, Sept. 28 @ Gray-NG, Oct. 4 (H) FALMOUTH, Oct. 11 (H) NYA, Oct. 14 @ Cape Elizabeth

COACH’S COMMENT: “We’re young and inexperienced. We have three sophomores and a freshman in our front seven. It will be different for us. The expectations are toned down. The good news is that the kids have come in with a great attitude. We hope to improve and make the playoffs. I have two goalies I’m extremely comfortable with. We have a lot of games where we hope to get points.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely missed the playoffs last year for just the second time in Andreasen’s tenure, but a third isn’t likely. While the Rangers remain young and there is work to do, this year’s squad could be very formidable by season’s end. While the offense doesn’t feature a dominant talent like the graduated Jon Coyne (a regional all-star and all-state selection in 2010), it should produce goals with a balanced attack. Hart will step into the striker’s role this time around. His athleticism is unquestioned. Junior Nick Shain should also produce in that role. In the midfield, keep an eye on senior Gavin Collins, Crowley, Donnelly and McAdoo (a captain). Defensively, Campbell, senior Josh Mason, Witte (a captain) and sophomore Sam Porter will look to hold the opposition at bay in front of Greely’s formidable two-headed goalie tandem of Leverett and Normandeau. The schedule won’t do this team any favors. In reality, 10 of the 14 games will be difficult. The Rangers likely need to produce at least a .500 mark, including a couple wins against the likes of Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth and defending Class B champion Yarmouth to get back to the playoffs. The guess here is that those wins (or at least ties) will come. The Rangers are marching back to top contender’s status. This year will be the first step and by late October, no one will want to face Greely with its season on the line.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

COACH: Michael Kennedy (fourth year)

2010 Record: 10-4-2 (Lost 2-1 to Thornton Academy in Western Class A semifinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Lindsey Arsenault (Senior), Audrey Parolin (Senior), Sara Schad (Senior), Libby Thomas (Senior), Sarah Ingraham (Junior), Holly Rand (Junior), Sammi Toorish (Junior), Teal Otley (Sophomore), Mykaela Twitchell (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth, Sept. 12 (H) YORK, Sept. 16 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 22 (H) YARMOUTH, Sept. 26 (H) FALMOUTH, Sept. 30 @ Falmouth, Oct. 11 @ NYA, Oct. 14 (H) CAPE ELIZABETH

COACH’S COMMENT: “We only lost one starter and return 15 players. Everyone’s been in our system. We were young last year and gained experience. We have a deep and experienced team. We need to stay healthy. We have to take care of business in the Western Maine Conference and get a good playoff seed. We’ve been close the past couple years. This is our year to get over the hump. It’s a great group of girls. We hope to exceed what we did last year. We have the team to do it.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Pardon Greely if it doesn’t buy into the phrase “history doesn’t repeat itself.” For two years running, the Rangers have produced solid regular seasons, only to lose a close game at Thornton Academy in the semifinals. This might be the year that Greely leaves everyone behind and goes all the way for the first time since 2002. While the loss of Kelly Burrell will be felt, every other starter returns. Parolin could be in line for a breakout season. She’s been moved to striker and had a productive summer and preseason. She and Toorish (who impressed as a freshman and sophomore) might be the most dynamic scoring tandem around. Both girls were league all-stars last year and Toorish was named to the regional team. Schad and Thomas will also be heard from on offense. Defensively, the Rangers appear set as Ingraham, Otley and Twitchell all have experience and Rand enters her third year as a starter. Arsenault is back in the cage. Junior Caton Beaulieu, who was hurt in 2010, will also see some time in goal. This team has offensive firepower, defensive skill and a steady leader at the all-important goalkeeping position. Mix in the lingering sting of the past two playoff losses and hunger to prove that it’s the cream of the crop and it’s fair to say that Greely has a great shot at reaching its goal of being the last team standing. If the Rangers can avoid another trip to Saco in the playoffs, their chances will be that much better.

FOOTBALL

COACH: David Higgins (third year)

2010 Results: 6-3 (no postseason)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Mike Leeman (Senior), Eric Coyne (Junior), Drew Hodge (Junior), Svenn Jacobson (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 2 (H) SPRUCE MOUNTAIN, Sept. 17 (H) WESTBROOK, Sept. 23 (H) YORK, Oct. 14 @ Mountain Valley, Oct. 21 @ Falmouth

COACH’S COMMENT: “It’s going to be difficult to replace the kids we lost. We’ll be young and inexperienced, but I think we’ll surprise some people. We won’t be as run-dominant as last year. We’ll throw a little more than we’re used to. We look to be competitive both with physicality and on the scoreboard. It’s the younger kids turn to shine.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Pardon Greely if it never wants to see another coin. The Rangers were so impressive last year in improving their win total from two to six, but after failing to hold a late lead in an agonizing end-of-the-regular-season home loss to rival Falmouth, Greely, the Yachtsmen and Cape Elizabeth finished tied with only two playoff spots available. The ensuing coin toss sent the Capers and Yachtsmen to the postseason and the deserving Rangers home (if that wasn’t ignominious enough, Greely also lost a coin toss in the spring which gave Yarmouth the top seed for the baseball playoffs). This time around, Western B has expanded to eight playoff teams, due in part to the addition of former Class A squads Marshwood and Westbrook. While the Rangers could stand to be a beneficiary of the expanded field, they’ll have some work to do after losing some key players (most notably 2010 Fall Male Athlete of the Year Jon Higgins) to graduation. Greely does return Leeman (an honorable mention all-star selection in 2010) at quarterback. He stole headlines on the mound last spring in leading the Rangers to the Class B state game (earning Spring Male Athlete of Year honors in the process). He’ll be pushed by Hodge, who also will look to earn some time under center. Jacobson (a first-team all-star last fall) is a load at running back and could be one of the most productive players at that position this fall. Coyne anchors the line and joins Jacobson as linebackers on defense. Hodge and Leeman will be in the secondary. Greely (which defeated defending Class C champion Yarmouth in its opening scrimmage) hopes to open up the offense a bit. While things probably won’t come easily (at least at first), the Rangers have gotten a taste of success and should build on last year’s close call. This time around, Greely won’t have to worry about the vagaries of a coin toss. This squad is good enough to make the postseason on its own merit.

FIELD HOCKEY

COACH: Kristina Prescott (fifth year)

2010 Record: 12-5 (Lost 3-1 to York in Western Class B Final)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Emily Curato (Senior), Ceci Hodgkins (Senior), Meaghan Labbe (Senior), Julia Maine (Senior), Maggie Norton (Senior), Eliza Porter (Senior), Rachel Hanson (Junior), Jess Wilson (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Sept. 3 (H) NYA, Sept. 7 @ Falmouth, Sept. 9 (H) WELLS, Sept. 15 (H) YORK, Sept. 23 (H) FALMOUTH, Sept. 27 @ Cape Elizabeth, Oct. 5 @ York, Oct. 7 (H) CAPE ELIZABETH, Oct. 11 @ Wells

COACH’S COMMENT: “’We only lost two goalies and two field players. We’re looking good. We have a lot of returners. The younger girls are stepping up. We hope to continue competing. It’s about intensity and starting games that way. We need to utilize our skills. We should be one of the top teams again.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely is coming off its best season since the 2003 championship as it made it to the regional final before meeting its match in the form of perennial title contender York. The Rangers weren’t hit too badly by graduation and are in a great position to make another deep run this autumn. The offense boasts several scoring threats, led by Hanson, Hodgkins (a WMC first-team all-star in 2010), Maine and Wilson. Curato and Porter will be heard from as well. On defense, Labbe (another first-team all-star a year ago) and Norton both have experience and skill. With the graduation of goalies Maggie Bower and Hannah McCord, Greely will need someone to stabilize that position. While juniors Leah Dixon and Michelle Gray are in the mix, senior Emma Seymour might just be the next standout at that position (Prescott was a goalie and has done a nice job developing players at that position). York is likely the Western B favorite again this fall, but the Rangers are just as good any other contender. Greely can gain some early confidence as it goes head-to-head with some of the best teams in the region. There’s no reason to think that the Rangers won’t be there at the end. Perhaps this time, they’ll finish what last year’s team started.

CROSS COUNTRY

COACH: David Dowling (14th year)

2010 Results:

(BOYS) 5th @ Class B state meet

(GIRLS) 9th @ Class B state meet

TOP RETURNING RUNNERS:

(BOYS) Jamie Currie (Senior), Isaak Emery (Senior), Stefan Sandreuter (Senior), Ian Byron (Junior), Nate Madeira (Junior)

(GIRLS) Sarah Ezzio (Senior), Melissa Jacques (Senior), Jordan Ouellette (Junior), Kirstin Sandreuter (Sophomore)

TOP FOES: Falmouth, York boys; Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Yarmouth girls

COACH’S COMMENT: “The boys hope to compete in the top three with Falmouth a clear preseason favorite. The girls hope to make the top four in the region and compete well in the state meet. Yarmouth returns their five top runners and will be very strong this year.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: As always, Greely will be one of the top cross country programs in the state this autumn.

The boys return 2010 state meet scorers Sandreuter (ninth), Madeira (23rd) and Emery (26th). Sandreuter was a second-team WMC all-star last year. Byron and Currie look to move up. New seniors Greg Ferland and Nestor Taylor provide depth. The Rangers will once again be one of the top teams in the region and should enjoy plenty of regular season success. By the postseason, if healthy, Greely can make a legitimate run at one of the top spots in both the regional and state competitions.

On the girls’ side, Sandreuter is coming off a sensational freshman campaign which saw her place second at the state meet and earn Greely’s Fall 2010 Female Athlete of the Year award, along with being selected first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state. She’ll lead this team and be joined by last year’s state meet scorers Ouellette (45th) and Jacques (78th). Ouellette was a second-team all-star a year ago. Ezzio also has experience and three newcomers, senior Alli Day and freshmen Meagan Currie, Emma Mason and Eva Meehan-Bates hope to make an impact. The Rangers will be a force to be reckoned with all season and should be able to improve on last year’s state finish.

GOLF

COACH: Brian Bickford (third year)

2010 Results: 6-4 (no postseason)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Edith Aromando (Senior), Ryan McKenna (Senior), Kyle Bickford (Junior), Sarah Hansen (Junior), Tucker Hawkinson (Junior), Kyle Megathlin (Junior)

TOP FOES: Bonny Eagle, Gorham, Thornton Academy

COACH’S COMMENT: “Our goal is to make the Class A state team championships, place a few boys in the individual championships and place high with the girls in their championships. We’re fairly deep with only a handful of seniors, so the future looks bright.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely faces a big challenge in Class A (Falmouth, the defending Class B champ has moved up), but should compete. As usual, Greely has some of the best female players in the state as Aromando (92) was sixth and Hansen (97) ninth at last year’s girls’ individual championships. Megathlin shot an 84 to tie for 17th in the boys’ individual match. He’ll be a leader again. The Rangers hope that Bickford, Hawkinson and McKenna provide solid support. While Greely isn’t being mentioned as a favorite in Class A, it should be able to hold its own. If the Rangers can qualify for states, they’ll be formidable. Several players figure to make their mark as individuals as well.

VOLLEYBALL

COACH: Kelvin Hasch (10th year)

2010 Results: 10-6 (Lost 3-2 to Biddeford in Class A semifinals, ending seven-year run as state champion)

TOP PLAYERS: Maggie Bradley (Senior), Catherine Fellows (Senior), Emily Sampson (Senior)

PIVOTAL MATCHES: Sept. 6 (H) YARMOUTH, Sept. 7 @ Gorham, Sept. 13 @ Biddeford, Sept. 15 @ Scarborough, Sept. 24 (H) FALMOUTH, Oct. 1 (H) MDI, Oct. 4 (H) BIDDEFORD, Oct. 11 (H) GORHAM, Oct. 14 @ Falmouth

COACH’S COMMENT: “I feel that we will improve as the season goes along. We will be playing more as a team this year. We should end up in the top four.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: All good things must end and one of the surest things in Maine high school sports, the Greely volleyball juggernaut, finally met its match last fall. After and up-and-down regular season, the Rangers almost upset eventual champion Biddeford in the semifinals and if they’d gotten past that match, they might have made it eight straight titles. Regardless, Greely is in good position to make a run at beginning a new streak. This year’s team will be led by outside hitter Bradley, middle hitter Fellows and Sampson, who can play outside hitter and defensive specialist. Sophomore Jordynne Copp will be in the mix at middle hitter. She’s a terrific jumper and will frustrate the opposition with her ability to block. The sport has evolved to the point where the Rangers have several teams they’ll have to contend with. Not only has Falmouth joined the elite and Biddeford reached the pinnacle, but teams like Gorham, Mt. Desert Island and Scarborough will also be factors. Greely will have several tough tests in the regular season, but will likely produce another impressive won-loss mark. The Rangers are proud and hungry and won’t be ousted easily from the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if 2010 proved an aberration and Greely once more finishes at the top of the heap.

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

Senior captain Will McAdoo and his teammates hope to return Greely to the top of the local boys’ soccer landscape.

Senior Libby Thomas is a steady leader for a very talented Greely girls’ soccer team.

All eyes will be on Greely senior quarterback Mike Leeman as he attempts to lead the Rangers to the playoffs.

Junior running back Svenn Jacobson is never easy to tackle and should run roughshod on the opposition this year.

Junior Nate Madeira is a top returner for a dangerous Greely boys’ cross country team.

Junior Jordan Ouellette and her temmates have high aspirations in 2011.

Sidebar Elements

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Kirstin Sandreuter had a breakout freshman campaign on the trails and will once again be a force for the Rangers as they make a run at a title this autumn.

More photos below.

2011 schedules

FOOTBALL

Fri., Sept. 2 H SPRUCE MTN.

Fri., Sept. 9 @ Lake Region

Sat., Sept. 17 H WESTBROOK

Fri., Sept. 23 H YORK

Sat., Oct. 1 @ Fryeburg

Fri., Oct. 7 H GNG

Fri., Oct. 14 @ Mountain Valley

Fri., Oct. 21 @ Falmouth

BOYS’ SOCCER

Sat., Sept. 3 H YORK

Tues., Sept. 6 @ Poland

Thurs., Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth

Sat., Sept. 10 H FRYEBURG

Mon., Sept. 12 @ York

Fri., Sept. 16 H CAPE ELIZABETH

Tues., Sept. 20 H FREEPORT

Thurs., Sept. 22 H YARMOUTH

Mon., Sept. 26 @ Falmouth

Wed., Sept. 28 @ GNG

Tues., Oct. 4 H FALMOUTH

Thurs., Oct. 6 @ Lake Region

Tues., Oct. 11 H NYA

Fri., Oct. 14 @ Cape Elizabeth

Tues., Oct. 18 @ Falmouth

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Fri., Sept. 2 @ Wells

Tues., Sept. 6 H POLAND

Thurs., Sept. 8 @ Yarmouth

Mon., Sept. 12 H YORK

Fri., Sept. 16 @ Cape Elizabeth

Tues., Sept. 20 @ Freeport

Thurs., Sept. 22 H YARMOUTH

Mon., Sept. 26 H FALMOUTH

Wed., Sept. 28 H GNG

Fri., Sept. 30 @ Falmouth

Tues., Oct. 4 @ Fryeburg

Thurs., Oct. 6 H LAKE REGION

Tues., Oct. 11 @ NYA

Fri., Oct. 14 H CAPE ELIZABETH

FIELD HOCKEY

Sat., Sept. 3 H NYA

Mon., Sept. 5 H FRYEBURG

Wed., Sept. 7 @ Falmouth

Fri., Sept. 9 H WELLS

Tues., Sept. 13 @ Fryeburg

Thurs., Sept. 15 H YORK

Sat., Sept. 17 @ GNG

Fri., Sept. 23 H FALMOUTH

Tues., Sept. 27 @ Cape Elizabeth

Sat., Oct. 1 @ Yarmouth

Mon., Oct. 3 H LAKE REGION

Wed., Oct. 5 @ York

Fri., Oct. 7 H CAPE ELIZABETH

Tues., Oct. 11 @ Wells

CROSS COUNTRY

Fri., Sept. 2

Fri., Sept. 9

Fri., Sept. 16 @ Lake Region

Sat., Sept. 24 @ Manchester Invitational

Thurs., Sept. 29

Fri., Oct. 7 H CAPE, FALM, YARM

Fri., Oct. 14 @ WMC Championships

Sat., Oct. 22 Western B Regionals

Sat., Oct. 29 Class B States

GOLF

Tues., Aug. 30 @ Westbrook

Thurs., Sept. 1 H BONNY EAGLE

Tues., Sept. 6 H WINDHAM

Thurs., Sept. 8 H WESTBROOK

Mon., Sept. 12 H TA

Wed., Sept. 14 H GORHAM

Mon., Sept. 19 @ Bonny Eagle

Wed., Sept. 21 @ Windham

Tues., Sept. 27 @ TA

Thurs., Sept. 29 @ Gorham

VOLLEYBALL

Tues., Sept. 6 H YARMOUTH

Wed., Sept. 7 @ Gorham

Fri., Sept. 9 H KENNEBUNK

Tues., Sept. 13 @ Biddeford

Thurs., Sept. 15 @ Scarborough

Mon., Sept. 19 @ Lake Region

Thurs., Sept. 22 H CONY

Sat., Sept. 24 H FALMOUTH

Tues., Sept. 27 H CAPE ELIZABETH

Sat., Oct. 1 H MDI

Tues., Oct. 4 H BIDDEFORD

Tues., Oct. 11 H GORHAM

Wed., Oct. 12 @ NYA

Fri., Oct. 14 @ Falmouth