(Ed. Note: For the complete Scarborough-Falmouth girls’ soccer game story, see our website at theforecaster.net/sports)

The 2023 fall sports season is underway and couldn’t have produced a more palpitating first few days.

There was great drama across the board and the fun is just beginning.

Here’s a look back at the initial action and a glimpse at what’s to come:

Football

Last weekend saw just one Forecaster Country football team open in the win column.

South Portland, a Class B South finalist in 2022, now playing back up in Class A, defeated visiting Cony, 20-6, last Friday night. The Red Riots took an early 6-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Easton Healy (11-of-18 passing, 119 yards and one touchdown) to Matthew Berry, but the extra point was blocked. The Rams then drew even before South Portland went ahead to stay on a 5-yard touchdown run from Matthew Frey (19 rushes, 100 yards, one TD). Tristen Sanders then scored on a 40-yard interception return to put it away. The Red Riots welcome Lewiston (0-1) Friday night (see our website for game story).

Scarborough held a halftime lead at Sanford, but ultimately went down to a 41-17 defeat. Nate Glidden hit Caleb Wandell for a 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter, then the two connected again in the second from 13-yards out. Wandell also booted a 42-yard field goal. The Red Storm hope to get in the win column Friday when they host Bishop Guertin of New Hampshire (0-1). It will be the first time Scarborough has played a countable game against a team from out of state.

Cape Elizabeth dropped a 50-12 decision at Oceanside in its opener. The Capers hope to respond Friday at home, but face the daunting task of welcoming Leavitt (1-0), the reigning Class C state champion.

Boys’ soccer

Cape Elizabeth boys’ soccer team began the season with victories at York (4-0) and Lake Region (9-1). Against the Wildcats, Alex van Huystee scored twice and Tully Haydar and Grant Kelley also found the net. In the win over the Lakers, van Huystee scored three goals, Max Hayward added two and Max Backman, Sam Cochran, Harry Converse and Jack Wark all had one. The Capers had a home showdown versus Greely Thursday and travel to Freeport Tuesday of next week.

Scarborough, the reigning Class A South champion, settled for a scoreless draw at South Portland in the teams’ opener Saturday. Goalie Seamus Corry made four saves. Tuesday, the Red Storm got in the win column, downing visiting Bonny Eagle, 6-0.  Scarborough is idle until Windham pays a visit next Tuesday, in a rematch of last year’s regional final.

South Portland got five saves from Michael Zaccaria in a season-opening scoreless home tie versus Scarborough. The Red Riots earned their first win, 5-0, at Thornton Academy Tuesday. Curtis Metcalf scored three times, Filipe Kiangal and CJ Marenghi each added one goal and Casey Corcoran had two assists. After going to Falmouth Thursday, South Portland hosts Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side, reigning Class A state champion Scarborough opened in style with a 4-1 home win over Falmouth last Friday, as senior standout Lana Djuranovic scored all four goals. Djuranovic’ first goal was on a header off a corner kick, similar to the goal she scored to beat Brunswick in the second overtime of last year’s state game. She added a shot on the run later in the first half, then buried a free kick and scored on another header in the second half.

“We have a lot of great returning players,” said Djuranovic. “We have a solid back line. We have speed on the wings that will help us a lot. We just hope to have a strong season again.”

“Lana changes the game and makes a coach feel real good,” said longtime Scarborough coach Mike Farley. “You can almost chalk up a corner goal every game. She can score in so many ways. It makes it so hard for the other team.”

The Red Storm hosted Noble Wednesday and go to Marshwood Friday.

“We know we have a target on our back and we’ll wear it with confidence,” Djuranovic said. “We know we have to keep pushing and keep playing strong.”

“I think the girls are up for the challenge,” said Farley. “I think the girls think that people think we’re going to be a little bit down and they take that as a challenge. It’s just a matter of us playing the way we can. If we do that, we’ll be good.”

South Portland downed host Biddeford, 4-1, in its opener. Marina Bassett scored twice and Nola Gorneau and Maci Rauscher also found the net. The Red Riots hosted Cheverus Wednesday and welcome Bonny Eagle Wednesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth welcomed new coach Branden Noltkamper with victories at York (4-1) and Lake Region (4-0). Against the Wildcats, CC Duryee scored twice, while Noelle Mallory and Addie Miller also had a goal. In the win over the Lakers, Mallory scored twice and Duryee and Evelyn Agrodnia added one apiece. The Capers had a home showdown versus Greely Thursday and go to Freeport Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Cape Elizabeth’s field hockey team started with victories over visiting Fryeburg Academy (5-0) and at St. Dom’s (5-1). In the win over the Raiders, Olive Blouin scored twice, while Clio Cook-Sharp, Mia Frost and Lulu Stoecklein all rattled the cage once. Against the Saints, Shyla McVeigh gave the Capers the only goal they’d need on an early penalty stroke. Sophia Chung, Frost, Chloe Snyder and Celia White also scored, while goalie Zoe Burgard made eight saves.

“We made most of our scoring opportunities and we took advantage of having penalty corners early,” Cape Elizabeth coach Maura Bisogni said.

The Capers were at Gray-New Gloucester Wednesday, have a key home test versus Leavitt Saturday and travel to perennial powerhouse York Thursday of next week.

“We are 2-0, we won at home and we won one away,” Bisogni said. “We won one on grass and we won one on turf, so, we are going to keep going.”

Scarborough opened with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win at Windham in a playoff rematch. Olive Deyesso and Rosa Pelut scored in regulation and Maggie Pendergast won it in OT. The Red Storm return to action Monday at home versus reigning Class A South champion Cheverus (see our website for game story). Scarborough sees Windham again, at home, next Wednesday.

The South Portland/Westbrook co-op team opened Tuesday with a 6-1 home loss to Windham. Lily Dorrington scored the goal. South Portland/Westbrook hosted Portland/Deering Thursday, visit Falmouth Monday and return home next Wednesday to meet Sanford.

Volleyball

Scarborough’s volleyball team, one of the preseason favorites, blanked host Cheverus, 3-0, in its first match. After hosting Noble Wednesday, the Red Storm have a playoff rematch at Gorham Friday and welcome Thornton Academy Tuesday of next week.

South Portland started with a straight set (15-25, 21-25, 20-25) setback at Deering. The Red Riots were home versus Cheverus Wednesday, welcome Falmouth Saturday and go to Bonny Eagle Tuesday of next week.

Cape Elizabeth swept visiting Gray-New Gloucester (25-14, 25-19, 25-15) in its first match. After going to Falmouth Wednesday, the Capers welcome Mt. Desert Island Saturday and play host to Brunswick Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

The cross country season began last week, as Scarborough joined Massabesic and Thornton Academy at Deering. The Red Storm boys were first and were led individually by Ethan Keller, who was first in 17 minutes, 28 seconds. The Scarborough girls placed second to the Golden Trojans. Kyleigh Record was second individually in 21:10.

South Portland joined Bonny Eagle and Sanford at Falmouth. The Red Riots boys were runners-up to the Scots. Evan Small was second in 18:08. South Portland’s girls finished third. Gabrielle Archibald placed 14th (25:21).

Cape Elizabeth joined Freeport and Yarmouth at Greely. The Capers boys finished fourth. Finn Morris was sixth individually (18:48). The girls were also fourth, but they produced to top individual in Emma Young (21:11).

Golf

On the links, Scarborough opened by edging Falmouth (7-6), then downed Cheverus  and South Portland by a 12.5-0.5 score.

South Portland beat Deering (8-5) in its first match, then lost to Portland (7-6) and Scarborough (12.5-0.5).

Cape Elizabeth started the season by beating Wells and Old Orchard Beach in a three-team match, then finished third in a three-team match versus Freeport and Yarmouth Tuesday.

Sun Journal staff writer Nathan Fournier contributed to this story.

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

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