Waynflete’s boys’ soccer team was unbeaten and unrivaled in 2018, winning the Class C state title. The Flyers are hoping to repeat this fall. File photos. More photos below.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Coach: Brandon Salway (31st year, 276-115-44 overall record, five state championships)
2018 results: 15-0-3 (Beat Fort Kent, 3-1, to win Class C state title)
Top returning players: Luca Antolini (Senior), Oliver Burdick (Senior), Aidan Carlisle (Senior), Ian McClure-Chute (Senior), Ben Adey (Junior), Joey Ansel-Mullen (Junior), Aidan Kieffer (Junior), Harry Millspaugh (Junior), Patrick Shaw (Junior)
Senior Luca Antolini will be a standout in goal and in the field for Waynflete’s boys’ soccer team.
Pivotal games: Sept. 12 @ York, Sept. 19 @ Traip, Sept. 21 @ Greely, Sept. 26 CAPE ELIZABETH, Oct. 1 TRAIP, Oct. 3 @ NYA, Oct. 17 YARMOUTH
Coach’s comment: “We lost some key players, but we have eight starters back. The guys are confident. It’s a different team, so it’s easy to not focus on last year. We have the same tough schedule, so we’ll be battle-tested. Our goal is to be playing our best soccer in October, but for that to happen, the new guys will need to improve. We feel like we have as good a shot as anybody.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete is coming off what was likely the best and most memorable season in program annals, an undefeated campaign that was capped by a state championship game win over Fort Kent in a game which featured some highlight-reel goals. The Flyers graduated some top players and lost regional all-star Askar Houssein, who has transferred to Deering, but enough talent remains in place for another title run.
Waynflete returns two regional all-stars from a year ago: Antolini and Shaw. Antolini, a captain, has tremendous value for his ability to shine in goal, as well as come out and play in the field. Shaw’s ability as a ball-handler has garnered him fame well beyond city limits. He’ll be a top scorer. Burdick, another captain (who scored a pretty goal in the state final), Ansel-Mullen and McClure-Chute, the team’s third captain, are also big scoring threats. Sophomore Henry Hart and freshman Rowan Hopkins join the offensive mix this season. In the back, Adey, Kieffer and Millspaugh are top defenders with experience. They’re joined by junior Ilo Holdridge and sophomore Liam Slocum. When Antolini is in the field, Carlisle will get the job done in goal.
The Flyers will benefit from their tough schedule and when the dust settles, they’ll likely be a high seed in Class C South yet again. While another undefeated season might be a little much to ask, a lot of wins and highlights, culminated by another title celebration is realistic. If everything comes together as hoped, don’t be surprised if that’s how this season’s final chapter reads.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Co-Coaches: Carrie Earls and George Sherry (second year)
2018 results: 4-10 (no postseason)
Top returning players: Abby Aleshire (Senior), Sophi Aronson (Senior), Eliza Gervais (Senior), Eliza Goodwin (Senior), Clara Sandberg (Senior), Kilee Sherry (Junior), Jesse Connors (Sophomore), Devan Sherry (Sophomore)
Senior Clara Sandberg is a top returner for a Waynflete girls’ soccer team seeking a turnaround this season.
Pivotal games: Sept. 12 TRAIP, Sept. 17 @ Sacopee Valley, Sept. 24 ST. DOM’S, Sept. 26 @ Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 28 GREELY, Oct. 1 @ Traip, Oct. 3 NYA, Oct. 8 @ NYA, Oct. 11 SACOPEE VALLEY, Oct. 17 @ St. Dom’s
Coach’s comment: “We have high hopes for the 2019 season. We only graduated one senior starter and we have a strong, experienced core returning. With some strong freshmen additions, we’re hoping to have a more successful season and put ourselves in playoff contention.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete missed the playoffs last fall for the first time since 1991, but that figures to be an aberration, as a young and hungry squad is eager to make its mark this season.
Devan Sherry and Kilee Sherry (eight goals last season) were both league all-stars in 2018 and they will pace the offense, with help from Sandberg, who was an honorable mention selection last autumn. Keep an eye also on Aleshire and freshmen midfielders Lucy Sarno and Iris Stutzman, who could step right in and contribute. Defensively, Aronson, Gervais and Goodwin have experience and will help frustrate the opposition in front of Connors, who started in goal as a freshman and will be a solid last line of defense.
The Flyers have some tough foes on their schedule, including reigning Class B state champion Cape Elizabeth and defending Class D champ North Yarmouth Academy, but this year’s squad is primed to not just compete, but to hold its own and find a way to win games. Don’t be surprised if Waynflete returns to form and gets back to the postseason this fall. If that happens, the Flyers will be a team that no one will want to face.
CROSS COUNTRY
Boys’ Coach: Brian “Ziggy” Gillespie (15th year, three state championships)
Girls’ Coach: Steve Withers (second year)
2018 results:
(Boys) 6th @ Class C state meet
(Girls) 4th @ Class C state meet
Top returners:
(Boys) Ethan Armstrong (Senior), Levi Lilienthal (Junior)
(Girls) Anna Wildes (Senior), Emily Wagg (Senior), Helen Hornor (Junior), Maddie Landry (Junior), Ellie Simmons (Junior), Blythe Thompson (Sophomore), Julia Werner (Sophomore)
Senior Anna Wildes looks to lead Waynflete’s girls’ cross country team to big things this fall.
Coach Gillespie’s comment: “It won’t be our typical year in terms of numbers or success, but we’ll still have fun. I hope the guys will get better as the season goes on. I’ll teach them a lot. Our goal is to get to states. That’s something to shoot for.”
Coach Withers’ comment: “The core of our team remains strong, as we return a group of determined and energetic athletes. Our newcomers look to add strength, consistency and enthusiasm to our squad. Look for steady improvement throughout the season, culminating in a competitive race at regionals and states”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete appears to be a top team in Class C yet again this autumn.
The boys lost state champion Henry Spritz to graduation and several other contributors, but they have some runners to watch in Gillespie’s final season (he’s calling it a career at age 72). Lilienthal (19th at last year’s state meet) will lead the way this autumn. Armstrong (49th) also returns. Juniors Connor Feeney and Mike Veroneau and sophomore Ethan Freeman round out what should be the top five scorers. Look for this squad to give its all despite the numbers and don’t be surprised if the Flyers once again find themselves competing at the state meet.
On the girls’ side, four of five state meet scorers return. Leading the way will be Wildes, who came in 18th a year ago. Other veterans include Thompson (19th), Simmons (36th) and Landry (41st). Wagg joins Wildes as a captain and along with Hornor and Werner, add depth. Senior Avis Akers (the lacrosse team’s goalie), sophomore Vera Shattuck and freshman Sana Jasim are new to the squad and could be heard from as well. The Flyers have been a top five state meet team every year since 2005. Expect that consistent excellence to continue this fall.
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
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