BOYS’ SOCCER

Junior Jeff Adey, left, and senior George Shattuck are top returners for Waynflete’s always-strong boys’ soccer team. File photos.
Coach: Will Burdick (second year)
2023 record: 8-6-2 (Lost, 3-0, to eventual champion Mt. Abram in Class C South semifinal)
Top returning players: Jeff Adey (Senior), Duncan Isherwood (Senior), Lucas Plumb (Senior), George Shattuck (Senior)
Pivotal games: Sept. 13 HALL-DALE, Sept. 16 GREELY, Sept. 19 @ York, Sept. 21 @ NYA, Sept. 26 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Oct. 3 GRAY-NG, Oct. 7 TRAIP, Oct. 8 @ Freeport, Oct. 15 @ Traip, Oct. 22 NYA
Coach’s comment: “We lost a good amount of seniors and some top players, but we have 11 seniors this year. Almost all of the starters have varsity and playoff experience. I’m hoping some new guys can step up and fill roles. We have a very hard schedule as usual. It’s nice to play teams from different conferences. Class C will be competitive. We have the skill. We’re just focusing on learning and improving.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete wasn’t able to bring home a Gold Ball last season for the first time since 2017, but the Flyers were competitive throughout and that experience will pay off this fall. There are some talented players to replace, most notably goalkeeper Nico Kirby and big game goal scorer Jacob Woodman, both of whom were regional all-stars in 2023, but this year’s squad is talented and hungry.
This season, the offense will be led by Plumb and Shattuck. Burdick calls Plumb a “dynamic player” and Shattuck is terrific in the air. Freshman Owen Duda will also help the offense. Adey and Isherwood are top defenders. Junior Diego Schair-Cardona, who stands 6-foot-2, will replace Kirby in goal.
The Flyers not only have to contend with their Class C South rivals, they also play some of the top teams in Class B, as well as Hall-Dale, a team from out of conference. Those games will get Waynflete primed for the tournament. After the rarity of not bringing home a trophy, look for this team to revert to form and make a deep run.
GIRLS’ SOCCER

A celebration a decade in the making came to fruition last fall when Liza Lawson’s penalty kick clinched a Class C state title. Waynflete’s girls’ soccer team is back for more this season.
Coach: Jesse McDonough (first year)
2023 record: 13-5 (Defeated Fort Kent, 1-0, 7-4 on PKs, to win Class C state championship)
Top returning players: Fallon Culley (Senior), Lucy Olson (Senior), Grace Alexander (Junior), Liza Lawson (Junior), Paige Alexander (Sophomore)
Pivotal games: Sept. 16 @ Greely, Sept. 21 NYA, Sept. 26 YARMOUTH, Sept. 28 YORK, Oct. 8 FREEPORT, Oct. 22 @ NYA
Coach’s comment: “As a first year coach, I’m excited to develop our young players and build upon our strong program.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete enjoyed a magical season a year ago, first ending the title reign of nemesis NYA in the Class C South Final, then outlasting Fort Kent on penalty kicks to win the state championship for the first time in a decade. There’s a vastly different look this fall, as all-state standout Lucy Hart, regional all-stars Morgan Earls and Jojo Moriba. and coaches Carrie Earls and George Sherry (who is now at Thornton Academy) have departed, but the cupboard isn’t bare. McDonough, who also teaches at Waynflete, hopes another memorable campaign could be in store. McDonough previously coached junior varsity girls’ soccer and basketball at Yarmouth, freshman boys’ soccer at Deering (where he was also the assistant varsity coach) and played at St. Mary’s College at the Division III level, as well as professionally in New York City and England. He takes over a group that is primed to keep the good times rolling.
Replacing Hart’s production won’t come easily, but this year’s team will make up for her scoring with a group approach. The Flyers are led by veterans Grace Alexander, Paige Alexander, Culley, Lawson (who buried the decisive penalty kick in the state game) and Olson. Sophomores Naomi Rice, Alexis Turner and Audrey Winch will step right in and make their contributions felt. Senior Mia Haley and freshmen Talia Melnick and Rachel Yordon were vying at press time to replace Ayla Stutzman in goal.
Waynflete will wear the bulls-eye this fall, but the Flyers will welcome it. They know what it takes to win a championship (several girls have won in both soccer and lacrosse) and while this group might not boast the same firepower of a year ago, it has the intangibles necessary to play into November. Again.
FIELD HOCKEY
Coach: Rowena Schenck (second year)
2023 record: 5-8 (Lost, 8-0, to Spruce Mountain in Class C South quarterfinals)
Top returning players: Sumeya Hussein (Senior), Chloe Kern (Senior), Ava Vander Schaaf (Junior), Mya Clark (Sophomore)
Pivotal games: Sept. 11 ST. DOM’S, Sept. 14 @ Fryeburg Academy, Sept. 17 @ Sacopee Valley, Sept. 23 SACOPEE VALLEY, Sept. 25 WELLS, Oct. 9 TELSTAR, Oct. 15 @ Sacopee Valley
Coach’s comment: “I hope this team can continue building on last year’s successful season and playoff berth. While we lost strong players to graduation in the midfield and defense, I am confident in my squad and I know the girls are ready to step up and lead across the field.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete’s return to varsity play a year ago resulted in a playoff berth and the Flyers hope to continue that success this fall.
Waynflete returns two second-team all-stars from a year ago: Kern on defense and Vander Schaaf in the midfield. They’ll set the tone this season. Hussein looks to be a top scorer. Clark returns in goal. Sophomore Drew Nelson will be another key contributor on defense.
The Flyers won’t sneak up on anyone this time around, but they won’t need to. Look for this group to be competitive from start to finish.
CROSS COUNTRY
Coaches:
(Boys) Jim Millard (fifth year)
(Girls) Steve Withers (seventh year)
2023 results:
(Boys) 9th @ Class C state meet
(Girls) 2nd @ Class C state meet (regional champions)
Top returners:
(Boys) Lincoln Clark (Senior), Pi Crosby (Senior), Soren Southall (Junior), Caleb Kramer (Sophomore)
(Girls) Skylar Harris (Senior), Leah Kramer (Senior), Grace Alexander (Junior), Lucy Olson (Junior), Paige Alexander (Sophomore)
Coach Millard’s comment: “This is a rebuilding year for the boys’ program. We have a couple of very strong runners and individually they should be very strong. We are a small, young team with three seniors, one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen, but our team goal remains the same as it always is, making it to states. We have consistently set our sights on making it to the last meet of the season. Last year we were the runners up in Southern Maine. This year our hopes are more modest, but we are planning to run at Twin Brook on the first Saturday in November.”
Coach Withers’ comment: “We return a strong core, only graduating one runner from our top seven last year. Thus far, we look strong and eager to race, having prepared well over the summer months. As our newcomers gain valuable experience, I expect that we will be competitive at the regional and state level. We have the opportunity to repeat as regional champs and compete for a state championship. I’m excited to see how this season plays out, as our team has significant potential.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Waynflete has long been a power on the trails and that should be the case again in 2024.
The girls’ squad repeated as regional champions and almost won a state title a year ago and with plenty of talent returning, the Flyers might just take the top spot this time around. Leading the way will be Grace Alexander (sixth at states a year ago), Olson (ninth) and Paige Alexander (11th). Captains Harris (24th) and Kramer (25th) just played key roles on a lacrosse state champion and will solidify the pack. Keep an eye as well on newcomers Emma Vickery (a junior) and Hana Hirschkorn (a sophomore).
On the boys’ side, after a solid campaign, Waynflete has its sights set on another strong showing. The Flyers will be led by Crosby, who was 23rd at last year’s state meet. Crosby is a captain, along with Clark. Southall (77th last season) and Kramer also have big meet experience. They’re joined by freshman Tadhg Lake, who could step right in and make a major impact.
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.
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