Cape Elizabeth’s Connor Thoreck heads the ball during the Capers’ 3-2 home loss to Yarmouth Tuesday.

Cape Elizabeth’s Noah Bates races up the field with the ball during Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the two-time defending Class B champions.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Cape Elizabeth-Yarmouth boys’ soccer and South Portland-Westbrook field hockey game stories, see theforecaster.net)

Like the weather, fall sports action has been quite enjoyable so far.

Last week, local teams and individuals continued to do big things and as the season’s midway point approaches, the fun figures to continue.

Here’s a glimpse:

Football

Cape Elizabeth’s football team improved to 3-0 last Friday, dominating in its home opener and downing Spruce Mountain, 55-12. The Capers, who won at Fryeburg Academy (29-6) and Poland (42-0) to start the season, rode a fake punt to their first touchdown, a Ryan Weare 1-yard plunge. Marshall Peterson made the first of seven consecutive extra-points to make it 7-0.

“We just put (the fake punt) in, and obviously we executed,” Capers coach Aaron Filieo said.

On Spruce Mountain’s second play of the game, Cape Elizabeth, which had to go to overtime to win last  year’s battle, 35-34, recovered a fumble and scored two plays later on a fumble of its own. Peyton Weatherbie lost the ball before he crossed the goal line, but Max Woods came out of the scrum with it for another touchdown.

After a Phoenix three-and-out, Ben Ekedahl returned a punt 46 yards down to the Spruce Mountain 19-yard line. It took four plays for Weare to rumble in from five-yards out to make it 21-0 less than eight minutes into the game. Brett McAlister scored on a 2-yard run two plays into the second quarter to up the lead to 28-0.

After Spruce Mountain got on the board with an interception return for a score,, the Capers answered as Weatherbie scored from 13 yards out, then, after a Phoenix three-and-out, quarterback Jeb Boeschenstein hit McAlister on consecutive passes, with the second going for an 11-yard touchdown and a 42-6 lead.

Spruce Mountain countered with a touchdown, but MJ Convey had a pair of touchdown runs for the Capers in the third quarter to cap off the scoring.

Cape Elizabeth accumulated 254 yards on the ground, while its defense held Spruce Mountain to just 99.

“I think we always expect a fight from Spruce Mountain, but I also know what we’re capable of,” Filieo said. “I know any given game we can really perform at a high level and execute and do well. If you win the line of scrimmage, typically you win the day, so we challenged those guys and I thought that they responded well.”

The Capers hope to improve to 4-0 Friday when they host resurgent 2-1 Freeport. Last year, Cape Elizabeth rolled at the Falcons, 56-12.

Scarborough, which upset host Portland, the defending Class A North champion, 14-13, in the its opener, then lost, 21-7, in a mistake-laden affair to Bonny Eagle, improved to 2-1 Friday with a 49-0 home win over Massabesic. The Red Storm, who beat the host Mustangs, 54-14, a year ago, scored on their first play, a 57-yard TD scamper from Owen Garrard, and never looked back. A 4-yard Garrard touchdown run made it 14-0 after one quarter. By halftime, Scarborough was up, 28-0, thanks to a 10-yard scoring run from quarterback Zoltan Panyi and a 58-yard Panyi-to-Cody Dudley TD pass. Garrard had another touchdown run (14-yards) and Aren Dickman added a scoring run from 9-yards out for a 42-0 advantage after three periods and Connor Oliver’s 1-yard dive in the fourth period accounted for the 49-0 final score. Emmett Peoples was 7-for-7 on extra points.

The Red Storm outgained the Mustangs, 395 yards to 131. Garrard ran for 102 yards and three TDs on just eight carries. 

Scarborough hopes to improve to 3-1 Friday when it goes to 2-1 Sanford. Last year, the Red Storm beat the visiting Spartans, 37-15, in the regular season, then blanked them, 28-0, in the Class A South quarterfinals.

South Portland split its first two games, losing at home to Bonny Eagle (60-20), then getting in the win column, 42-7, over Massabesic. Friday, the Red Riots fell to 1-2 with a 33-7 home loss to Sanford. Ansel Stilley had South Portland’s touchdown on a 43-yard run.

The Red Riots go to 1-2 Deering Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last year, the Rams won at South Portland, 27-14.

Boys’ soccer

Scarborough’s boys’ soccer team bounced back from its home loss to Gorham with a victory at South Portland, 1-0, last Thursday behind a goal from Noah Stracqualursi. The Red Storm hosted Biddeford Thursday and go to Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

South Portland followed up its 1-0 home loss to Scarborough with a 3-1 victory at Biddeford Tuesday to even its record at 3-3. Charlie Cronin, Princiel Kuniecki and Khalid Suja had the goals. The Red Riots are home with Portland Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth extended its win streak to four last week after downing host Greely, 1-0 (on Connor Thoreck’s goal) and visiting Fryeburg Academy (6-1). Matt Concannon, David Hare, Quinn Hewitt, Elliott McGinn, Finn Raymond and Nicolai Sabbatini all scored against the Raiders. The Capers fell to 4-2-1 Tuesday after a hard-fought 3-2 home loss to two-time defending Class B champion Yarmouth. The Capers gave up an own goal and trailed, 2-0, at halftime, but 19 seconds into the second half, Connor Thoreck scored. After the Clippers went up, 3-1, Sabbatini was pushed down in the box with 8:43 to play and Hewitt converted the ensuing penalty kick to make things very interesting, but Yarmouth held on.

“We didn’t play poorly in the first half, but we had more intensity in the second half,” Cape Elizabeth coach Ben Raymond said. “We did a much better job of getting to the first ball. They were better in the air in the first half, the second half we were better in the air. We created more opportunities in the second half. There was more urgency, without a doubt. We put them under more pressure in the second half. We had a great look at the end.

“It’s encouraging to see we’re on the same level as Yarmouth. We had just as many chances in this game. Our kids understand we’re not even halfway through the season. Both teams will make the playoffs. We have to figure out how to be the better team if we see them again.”

Cape Elizabeth hosts Greely Saturday and goes to Kennebunk Tuesday.

Greater Portland Christian School took an 0-3-1 mark into Wednesday’s tilt at Vinalhaven. The Lions are at Chop Point Saturday and host Highview Christian Tuesday of next week. 

Girls’ soccer

Cape Elizabeth’s girls have shown signs of life after starting 0-2. Last week, the Capers knocked off visiting, defending Class B South champion Greely, 2-1, as Grace Gillian and Tory McGrath had the goals. Tuesday, the Capers fell to 3-3 with a 3-0 setback at Yarmouth. Cape Elizabeth had a game at Greely Thursday and hosts Kennebunk Tuesday.

Scarborough settled for a scoreless draw at defending regional champion Gorham last Wednesday, then improved to 2-1-2 Friday with a 4-0 victory at South Portland. Gaby Panagakos scored three times and Leah Dickman had the other goal. The Red Storm hosted Maine Girls’ Academy Wednesday, visit Biddeford Friday and welcome Cheverus Wednesday of next week.

South Portland got in the win column last Wednesday, 3-1, at Bonny Eagle, behind goals from Julia Banks, Victoria Nixon and Juliana Selser. The Red Riots fell to 1-4 with a 4-0 home loss to Scarborough. South Portland was home with Biddeford Wednesday, goes to Maine Girls’ Academy Friday and plays at Portland Wednesday of next week.

GPCS fell to 2-3 after a 2-0 home loss to Pine Tree Academy Friday. The Lions went to Vinalhaven Wednesday, play at Rangeley Saturday and are home against Highview Christian Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Scarborough’s field hockey team shook off its season-opening two-game skid by winning five in a row, capped by a 4-0 victory at Cheverus Friday and a 6-0 home win over Windham Monday. Against the Stags, Kristen Levesque, Lily Nygren, Rachel Paradis and Tori Timm rattled the cage. In the win over the Eagles, Nygren scored twice, while Levesque, Annika Batista, Julia Booth-Howe and Ashley Levesque had one goal apiece. The Red Storm host defending regional champion Thornton Academy Friday and go to Westbrook Tuesday.

South Portland earned a 6-1 win at Bonny Eagle last Thursday as Lydia Grant had three goals and Lydia Henderson, Amelia Papi and Molly Walker had one apiece. The Red Riots then fell to 2-4 Monday after a hard-fought 1-0 loss to visiting Westbrook. South Portland got nine saves from freshman goalie Maddie Drolet and had some good scoring chances in the second half, but fell short.

“We knew Westbrook would be a tough team,” said Red Riots coach Leslie Dyer. “They’re always a top team. They have fantastic athletes who can finish. I think my girls played really well and we were right there with them. The game could have gone either way, but unfortunately, they got the opportunity and they finished.” 

South Portland was at Windham Wednesday, hosts Biddeford Friday and visits Thornton Academy Tuesday.

Cape Elizabeth evened its record last Wednesday with a dramatic 3-2 overtime home win over Greely, then fell to 2-3 Saturday after an 8-1 home loss to Kennebunk. In the victory, Julia Lennon forced overtime in the final minute of regulation and for the second game in a row, Taylor Young scored in OT to win it. Lennon had the goal against the Rams. The Capers hosted Wells Wednesday and Lake Region Thursday, go to Poland Saturday, welcome Yarmouth Monday and play at Kennebunk Wednesday of next week.

Volleyball

Scarborough’s defending Class A champion volleyball team has hit its stride and extended its win streak to five after a 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-11) home win over Gorham and a 3-1 (25-14, 25-21, 16-25, 25-17) victory at previously undefeated Yarmouth. In the win over Gorham, Haley Nelson had 12 service points, six kills and four aces and Jordyn Cowan added nine service points and seven kills. The Red Storm hosted Brunswick Thursday, welcomes Mt. Desert Island Friday, play at Deering Tuesday, then host Falmouth Thursday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth’s win streak hit four with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-12) home win over Marshwood last week. The Capers then fell to 4-2 after a 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 20-25, 11-25)) loss Gorham. Jen Gray had 12 digs and Sarah McDonald eight assists in the win over the Hawks. The Capers were home with undefeated Greely Thursday, go to Gardiner Tuesday of next week, then visit York two days later.

South Portland snapped a three-match skid with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-12) home win over Thornton Academy last Thursday. Molly Mawhinney had 13 kills and Kayla Brown finished with 20 assists. Tuesday, the Red Riots evened their record at 3-3 with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-11, 20-25, 25-20) victory at Portland. Brown had 23 assists, Mawhinney produced 13 kills and Amanda Bouchard had 23 digs. South Portland was home with Deering Thursday, goes to Brunswick Tuesday and visits Biddeford Thursday of next week.

Cross country

Scarborough hosted Cheverus, Sanford and Westbrook for a cross country meet last weekend. The defending Class A champion Red Storm boys were first, as Shamus Malia had the second-best individual time (17 minutes, 17.70  seconds). The Scarborough girls were second to Westbrook, but Bethany Sholl was the top individual in 20:30.60.

South Portland ran with Deering and Massabesic at Bonny Eagle. The Red Riots girls placed third (Bonny Eagle finished first) and were led individually by Serena Mckenzie (eighth, 21:51).  The boys were fourth (the Rams finished first). Xander Keiter came in third individually in 17:17.

Cape Elizabeth joined Greely, Maine Coast Waldorf and Traip Academy at Poland. The Capers girls were second behind the Rangers and were led by Kelsey Kennedy (second, 21:17). The boys came in third behind Greely and MCW and were paced by freshman Jack Bassett (sixth, 18:20). 

This weekend, South Portland hosts Scarborough, Maine Girls’ Academy and Noble and Cape Elizabeth joins York at Kennebunk.

Golf

Cape Elizabeth’s defending Class B champion golf team improved to 5-0 last week with decisive wins over Fryeburg Academy (6.5-0.5) and Sacopee Valley (7-0). The Capers also traveled to Orono last weekend to take part in the John Bapst Invitational, a 14-team, state championship format event. Cape Elizabeth was first, beating runner-up Mattanawcook by 25 strokes. The Capers also produced the top indiivdual in Austin Legge, who shot a 72. Jack Kelley (78) tied for third, Lauren Schonewolf (81) was fifth and Max Altznauer (83) tied for seventh.

Scarborough eked out a 7-6 win over Falmouth last week, then fell to 4-2 Tuesday after a 7.5-5.5 loss to Cheverus. 

South Portland earned its second victory, 8.5-4.5, over Deering last week, then fell to 2-5 Tuesday with a 9-4 loss to Portland.

Sun Journal staff writer Wil Kramlich contributed to this story.

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

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