Yarmouth’s Camden Miller looks for running room during the Clippers’ 21-19 loss at Oak Hill in Saturday’s season opener.

Freeport goalie Katelyn Rouleau robs Greely’s Maddy Perfetti during the Falcons’ 5-2 victory in last week’s regular season opener.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Chris Hamblett runs in last week’s season-opening cross country meet at last week’s four-team home meet. Hamblett placed eighth individually and the Panthers were fourth as a team.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Scarborough girls’ soccer and Falmouth-Westbrook and Freeport-Greely field hockey game stories, see theforecaster.net)

The fall sports season has begun and early results have been promising for local teams.

The fun is just beginning and here’s a glimpse at what you might have missed:

Football

Freeport’s football team was the lone Forecaster Country squad to begin the season in the win column.

The Falcons played for the first time on their new turf field and had no trouble with visiting Boothbay/Wiscasset, prevailing, 41-8. Freeport went up, 12-0, after one quarter, extended its lead to 28-8 at halftime and was up, 41-8, after three periods. The Falcons visit 0-1 Poland Friday in their next outing.

Falmouth, a regional finalist in 2017, dropped a hard-fought 27-25 decision at Brunswick in its first test. The Yachtsmen trailed, 6-0, at halftime and 13-3 after a 29-yard field goal from Sam Pausman, but they kept rallying in the fourth quarter. Coleman Allen scored on a 2-yard run, quarterback Nick Mancini found the end zone from 4-yards out and Mancini hit Brady Douglas from 12-yards out late, but Falmouth couldn’t recover the ensuing on-sides kick and fell just short, dropping its opener for the first time since 2012.

Allen and Riley Reed each rushed for 63 yards and Mancini completed 9-of-12 passes for 74 yards and a score.

“What I found out is that there’s a heart in these kids,” said Yachtsmen coach John Fitzsimmons. “They never quit.”

Falmouth seeks its first win of the year Friday when its hosts 0-1 Brewer.

Greely started with a 14-0 loss at Noble. The Rangers are home Friday versus 1-0 Mt. Blue.

Yarmouth began with a 21-19 loss at Oak Hill. The Clippers got two rushing touchdowns from Noah Eckersley-Ray (2-yards and 23-yards) and another from Jack Ricciardi (33-yards), but they couldn’t hold a 19-7 lead as the Raiders scored two fourth quarter TDs to prevail.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids in new positions for the first time and our kids didn’t give up,” said Yarmouth coach Jason Veilleux. “They showed tremendous fight up right to the very end. We just made a couple of mental errors that we’ll learn from and hopefully grow from.”

Yarmouth is home with 1-0 Leavitt Friday night.

Boys’ soccer

Yarmouth’s four-time defending Class B state champion boys’ soccer team took a 24-game win streak and a 31-game unbeaten run into Tuesday night’s home showdown versus Cape Elizabeth (see theforecaster.net for game story). The Clippers opened the season Friday with a 4-1 victory at York. Yarmouth fell behind early, but drew even on a goal from John Clinton just before halftime. The Clippers controlled play in the second half, getting tallies from Jack Jones, Eric LaBrie and Liam Ireland. Yarmouth goes to Greely Saturday and is home versus Freeport Tuesday of next week.

Freeport opened the Bob Strong Era with a 4-1 win at Gray-New Gloucester. Will Winter scored a pair of first half goals and Jake Dumont and Wes Goodwin added second half tallies. The Falcons host Greely Wednesday, go to Lake Region Saturday and visit Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Greely played host Cape Elizabeth to a scoreless tie in its first game. New goalkeeper Schuyler Wetmore made seven saves. The Rangers go to Freeport Wednesday and welcome Yarmouth Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story).

North Yarmouth Academy started with a 5-0 home win over Poland. Ryan Baker scored twice and Cam Goodrich, Xander Kostelnik and Alasdair Swett each added one goal. The Panthers welcomed St. Dom’s Tuesday and go to Traip Academy Thursday and Sacopee Valley Saturday.

Falmouth began its season Tuesday at Cheverus (see theforecaster.net for game story). The Yachtsmen host Noble Saturday and go to Portland Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

Yarmouth’s two-time defending Class B girls’ soccer state champion opened with a 1-0 loss at York, as its 23-game win streak came to a close. The Clippers visited preseason favorite Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, travel to Greely Saturday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and play at Freeport Tuesday of next week.

Freeport, under new coach David Intraversato, began with a 5-2 home win over Gray-New Gloucester in its first game on its new home turf surface. Catriona Gould scored three times and Tara Migliaccio and Hannah Spaulding added one goal apiece.

“We play a lot faster,” Gould said. “We’ve worked a lot on fitness lately, so we’ve managed to play all throughout the field with a good pace.”

“There was a lot of excitement tonight, it was great to be out here,” Freeport Coach Dave Intraversato said.

The Falcons were at Greely in a playoff rematch Tuesday, welcome Lake Region Friday and play host to Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Greely dropped a 2-1 home decision to Cape Elizabeth in its first game. The Rangers sought to get in the win column Tuesday at home versus Freeport. Greely visits York Thursday, welcomes Yarmouth Saturday and plays host to Poland Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth opened with a 1-0 home loss to Scarborough Saturday. The Yachtsmen got 14 saves from freshman goalkeeper Jordan Wolf, but gave up a second half goal to the defending regional champions.

“I think we have the potential to play with anybody,” Falmouth coach Andrew Pelletier said. “We know we won’t show up and dominate anybody, but we can compete with anybody. We just need to play better.”

The Yachtsmen went to Sanford Wednesday and host Noble Wednesday of next week.

NYA had its way at Old Orchard Beach in its opener, prevailing, 5-1. Natalie Farrell had two goals, while Catherine Reid, Jasmine Huntsman and Emma Sharp scored once apiece. The Panthers were at St. Dom’s Tuesday, host Sacopee Valley Saturday and welcome Rangeley Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Freeport’s field hockey team got off to a fast start last Thursday with an impressive 5-2 victory at Greely. Natalie Anderson scored three first half goals, Kerry Lefebvre and Ally Randall had one apiece and Katelyn Rouleau stopped 14 shots.

“We know we can be strong,” said Anderson. “This game proves what we thought.”

“I think we’re more motivated than ever,” Rouleau said. “We’ve worked so hard in the preseason. We’ve come together as a team and as a family.”

“Even at the end of last year after we lost (to Lake Region in the quarterfinals), the girls have been ready,” Freeport coach Marcia Wood added. “They’ve been playing offseason and you can tell they’ve had a stick in their hands all winter.” 

The Falcons hosted Fryeburg Academy Tuesday, visit Lake Region in a playoff rematch Thursday, play at Cape Elizabeth Saturday and go to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

Greely got goals from Wren Payne and Hannah Perfetti in its loss to Freeport.

“One thing our team will always bring is resilience,” first-year Rangers coach Chelsea Morley said. “We didn’t play scared and I commend the girls. We had some chances. I’m really happy with the number of shots we had on goal and our opportunities. Now, it’s getting the ball in the net. Once we do, we’ll really take off.” 

Greely was at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, hosts Cape Elizabeth Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and goes to Yarmouth Wednesday of next week.

Yarmouth started the season by earning a measure of revenge from last year’s playoff ouster with a 3-1 victory at Poland. Lydia Guay had all three goals and goalie Cayte Tillotson stopped a dozen shots in coach Tracy Quimby’s debut. The Clippers were home with defending regional champion York Tuesday, visit Fryeburg Academy Friday, host Lake Region Monday and Greely Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth began its year with a 4-0 victory at Windham, then settled for a 1-1 home tie against defending Class A South champion Westbrook. Emma Cohen scored twice in the victory, then gave the Yachtsmen the lead against the Blue Blazes in the second half, but Westbrook rallied to force overtime. Caitlyn Bull made 12 saves.

“Both teams had chances in overtime,” said longtime Falmouth coach Robin Haley. “Both groups really put forth a great effort. We’ll take the tie. This will help us down the road.”

The Yachtsmen were at Scarborough in a playoff rematch Wednesday, host Deering Saturday and go to Noble Tuesday of next week.

NYA started with a 3-0 loss at York. Kylie Rogers made 37 saves in a phenomenal effort in defeat. The Panthers are home versus Sacopee Valley Thursday, go to Traip Academy Monday and visit defending Class C champion St. Dom’s Wednesday of next week.

Volleyball

Falmouth’s volleyball team dispatched Greely in straight sets (25-9, 25-15, 25-13) to start the season. Katie Phillips had 15 assists and Annika Hester added 11 kills. After hosting Cony Tuesday, the Yachtsmen visit South Portland Tuesday of next week.

Greely sought its first win Tuesday at Kennebunk. The Rangers host Biddeford Thursday.

Yarmouth won at York in its first match, 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-15). The Clippers were at Brunswick Tuesday and visit South Portland Thursday.

NYA begins its season Thursday at Wells. After a home match versus Brunswick Friday, the Panthers host Wells Monday.

Cross country

Falmouth’s cross country team hosted Bonny Eagle, Portland and Sanford in its first meet. The boys were first behind John Auer, who won the race in 16 minutes, 51.66 seconds. The girls were second to Bonny Eagle, but Sofie Matson was first individually in 19:14.19.

Greely and Maine Coast Waldorf joined Lake Region at Poland. The Rangers boys were first and MCW placed second. Greely’s Matthew Todd was the top individual (17:36). MCW was led by Aiden Kusche (ninth, 19:22). In the girls’ meet, MCW was first and Greely placed second. MCW’s Olivia Reynolds was the top individual (20:48). The Rangers were paced by Marin Provencher (second, 21:04). 

NYA hosted Freeport, Cape Elizabeth and Gray-New Gloucester. The Falcons girls placed second to the Capers. Lily Horne was second individually in 19:52. The Panthers didn’t score as a team. Emma Collins was 23rd individually in 25:09. In the boys’ meet, also won by Cape Elizabeth, Freeport came in second and NYA was fourth. Martin Horne paced the Falcons by coming in third individually in 17:43. The Panthers were led by Chris Hamblett (eighth, 18:49).

Yarmouth joined Fryeburg Academy and St. Dom’s at Sacopee Valley. The boys were first. Ben Cox-Faxon was the top individual (third, 17:11). The girls also came in first. Maddie Marston was first individually (19:49.30).

Golf

Falmouth’s golf team split its first two matches, beating South Portland, 11.5-1.5 (Brady Pierson was the medalist with a nine-hole score of 39), then losing to Scarborough, 7.5-5.5 (Jack Stowell had a team-low score of 40). The Yachtsmen went to Deering Tuesday, visit Cheverus Thursday and play at Portland Tuesday of next week.

Greely handled Gorham (11-2) and Bonny Eagle (13-0) in its first two matches. Rachel Smith had a team-best score of 40 against the Rams. In the win over the Scots, Smith shot a 38. The Rangers were home with Windham Tuesday, go to Westbrook Thursday and visit Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

Freeport opened with a 5-1 win over NYA and settled for a 3.5-3.5 tie against Yarmouth. TJ Whelan shot a 42 in both matches. The Falcons were at York Tuesday, host Wells Thursday and go to St. Dom’s Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth was led by Ethan Haag (36) in the tie against the Falcons. The Clippers also defeated NYA, 7-0 (Haag shot 36). Yarmouth was at Fryeburg Academy Tuesday, go to defending state champion Cape Elizabeth Thursday and welcomes York Tuesday of next week.

NYA started with losses to Freeport (5-1) and Yarmouth (7-0). The Panthers were led by Reed Silvers (41) against the Falcons. Silvers and Jared Buckner each shot a 42 against the Clippers. NYA was at Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, goes to Old Orchard Beach Thursday and visits Lake Region Tuesday of next week.

Press Herald staff writer Glenn Jordan, Times Record staff writer Eric Maxim and Kennebec Journal staff writer Drew Bonifant contributed to this story.

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