A change of the calendar brings a new level of excitement to the fall sports campaign.

We’re now in the second half of the regular season schedule and every remaining contest is filled with importance.

The postseason isn’t far off and the fun is just beginning.

Here’s an overview:

Football

Stardust continues to fall on the Falmouth football program.

The Navigators, under first-year coach Spencer Emerson, surprised many by winning their first three games. Last Friday evening, in front of the home crowd, Falmouth got its biggest victory yet, rallying to edge Fryeburg Academy in a thriller, 15-14.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Raiders found the end zone first, but with only 6 seconds on the first half clock, quarterback Tres Walker hit Gio Guerrette for a 40-yard touchdown to send the game to the break deadlocked, 7-7.

“We weren’t sure how we’d react if we went down, but it’s all about our mentality, getting back up when we’re down,” said Guerrette. “I knew I had it once I got outside. I knew we needed it going into halftime. That was really big motivation for our team.”

Fryeburg Academy went in front for the second time on a third quarter touchdown, but Falmouth saved its best for last. First, after pinning the Raiders deep in their territory, a bad snap resulted in a safety to make it 14-9. The Navigators then went in front with Abram Wintersteen catching a 52-yard TD pass from Walker with 10:55 remaining.

“I just ran full speed and tried my best and caught it,” Wintersteen said. “I needed that touchdown. We needed to win.”

Falmouth’s defense slammed the door from there and the Navigators improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 2015 team began 7-0.

“We’ve been doubted before and we just want to prove everybody wrong,” said Wintersteen said. “It’s another great win. We’re showing people we can play. I think our defense is the best in the league. I have so much confidence in our defense.”

“It’s just coaching and everyone is working so amazingly well together,” Guerrette said. “We work so hard in practice and every week, it pays off in games.”

“We have an unwavering belief in everything we do,” added Emerson. “We believed the whole time. We say all the time it’s a marathon. Keep playing. Go 1-0 each rep and we’ll be alright when the scoreboard hits zero. I’m jacked up the scoreboard was on our side. That’s a really good football team and I’m just happy we don’t have to play them again.”

The Navigators go to 1-3 Mt. Blue Friday night. Falmouth downed the visiting Cougars, 21-12, a year ago.

“Our mentality going into every game is that we don’t stop fighting,” Wintersteen said. “We go 100 percent every play. It’s awesome. So much fun.”

“We’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Guerrette. “This is awesome.”

“We go on the road for three out of four in October, but give us some white lines and a football, we’ll figure the rest out,” Emerson added.

Elsewhere, Greely won its third game in a row and improved to 3-1 with a 56-6 victory at Yarmouth. The Rangers host Mt. Desert Island (3-1) Friday in a rematch of last year’s eight-man, large school state final (won by the Trojans, 28-0).

Yarmouth is now 0-4 on the year following its loss to Greely. The Clippers travel to 4-0 Old Orchard Beach Saturday. The teams didn’t meet a year ago.

Freeport fell to 1-3 after a 21-3 loss at Cape Elizabeth Saturday. The Falcons hope to snap a three-game skid Friday when they host 2-1 Maranacook. The teams didn’t play a year ago.

Boys’ soccer

On the pitch, Falmouth extended its win streak to five games last week by blanking host South Portland (1-0) and Biddeford (2-0). Against the Red Riots, Charlie Creswell’s goal early in the second half was the difference.

“I’m not exactly sure what happened,” Creswell said. “The ball bounced out to me and I knew a defender was on my back and I knew I could get (to the ball) first. I didn’t hit it very hard. I was aiming for the far corner. I got enough of it. As a team, we’re very calm in stressful situations. We’re clinical when presented with an opportunity.”

“Every single time before we get on the field, we yell, “Grit!’ and I think our grit tonight helped us push through to win,” said junior back Hayden Davis, who has verbally committed to playing lacrosse at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. “We have a bunch of dogs back there on defense. We’re scrappy back there. Shoutout to the boys in the back. We’re calm, so when a game is on the line, we heavily rely on everyone, midfield and attack. We play as a team and that’s our biggest strength.”

“Our goal since the beginning of the year is to get a little bit better,” added longtime Falmouth coach Dave Halligan. “We want to be in every game and compete and have a chance at the end. We hung on at the end. We bent but we didn’t break.”

In the win over the Tigers, Evan Mayo and Sam Yoon each scored once. Monday, the Navigators fell to 7-2 with a 1-0 overtime loss at Kennebunk, their second overtime setback this fall. Falmouth is back in action Wednesday at home versus Gorham (see our website for game story). The Navigators welcome Noble Friday.

“I think we can play with any team in the league,” Creswell said. “It’s just about staying focused and not taking anyone too softly.”

“We still have a lot of good teams to play,” Halligan said. “We’re going east and west pretty well, but we have to start going north and south. We can possess, but we have to make dangerous passes. We’re starting to do that. We’re better than we were two weeks ago and that’s all I can ask.”

In Class B South, Greely was atop the standings at 8-0-1 following a 1-0 win at Yarmouth, a 6-0 home victory over Poland and Monday’s 6-0 win at Lake Region. The win over the Clippers, which was the Rangers’ first in Yarmouth in a decade, came courtesy a goal from Connor Skillin in the second half. Owen Piesik had the assist and goalkeeper Landon Dominski made four saves.

“I saw the defenders spaced out, so I face-cut and I went in on goal,” said Skillin, of the goal. “I was just trying to get rid of the ball. It bounced off (the keeper’s) leg, but it went in.”

“It feels good,” said Piesik. “We worked hard. Our defense has been phenomenal all season. This is normal for them.”

“Hopefully my seniors played their last game here,” added longtime Rangers coach Mike Andreasen. “It took us 10 years to win here and it’s good that they can go out with a win. It’s a good win against a good opponent. They’re still the gold standard, so this is a nice result. I thought we were pretty evenly matched.”

In the victory over the Knights, Piesik and Skillin both scored twice, while Sylas Almy and Hunter Caiazzo added one goal apiece. Against the Lakers, Bez Mendelsohn scored twice and Piesik, Skillin, Gavin Byrne and Owen Partridge added one goal apiece. Greely is idle until Monday when it goes to York.

“We just have to keep working hard like we have all season,” Piesik said.

“We’ll take these teams as they come along,” said Andreasen. “We’re a veteran club with high expectations.”

Four-time reigning champion Yarmouth was 5-1-2 heading into Tuesday’s game at Freeport. Last week, the Clippers lost at  home to Greely (1-0), then bounced back to down visiting Fryeburg Academy (4-0). Against the Rangers, Will Raymond made four saves, but Yarmouth suffered its first setback since the 2023 regular season opener.

“It’s disappointing to lose to one of our closest rivals,” said Clippers’ first-year coach Justin Morrill. “We know these games are always going to be tight. We came out flatter than we thought in the second half. I was trying to get everyone fired up, but the spark never lit. It felt like we were just scrambling.”

In the win over the Raiders, Zacarias Binda had a goal and two assists, while Nate Buchanan, Mateo Coury and Owen Hayes also found the net. Yarmouth visits crosstown rival North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday of next week.

“I think the guys will respond well,” said Morrill. “There are no shortage of big games to come, so we hope to get right back on track.”

Freeport fell to 1-6 after a 3-1 loss at York last week. The Falcons hosted Yarmouth Tuesday, go to Wells Thursday, welcome Lincoln Academy Saturday and stay home to face Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, NYA has already eclipsed last year’s win total and improved to 5-1-1 with victories last week at St. Dom’s (3-1) and at home over Traip Academy (3-0). In the victory over the Saints, Jacob Colaluca scored two goals and Jesse Mutagoma had the other. Against the Raiders, Colaluca, Jordan King and Eamon Tansey all had one goal and goalkeeper Gavin Thomas made seven saves. The Panthers welcomed Fryeburg Academy Tuesday, play at Monmouth Academy Friday, then host Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ soccer

On the girls’ side at press time, Greely was 6-0-2 after a pivotal 2-0 win at two-time reigning Class B champion Yarmouth and a 5-1 win at Poland last week. Against the Clippers, the Rangers got second half goals from Lola Seitz and Lily Pierce (assisted by Abby Lennox) as they won in Yarmouth for the first time since 2018.

“I asked for the ball, poked my leg at it and it went in,” said Seitz, who came to Greely this year from Alaska. “I saw it was going over the goalie and I thought it was going in. It was luck. It was great timing. It’s been super-nice to be a part of this team. The girls made me feel like I was part of the team instantly. In the preseason, I could sense confidence and that we had a great team dynamic.”

“Everyone’s been saying this could be our year and I truly believe this game shows we have the potential to win the Gold Ball,” Lennox said. “We’ve been working so hard for this moment. Yarmouth’s always been a rival, so to beat them and not tie is unbelievable. We were eager to beat them on their field.”

“We were ready and the girls played great,” added Greely coach Rachel Williams. “We’re doing things consistently and we have great leadership from the upperclassmen. We’re starting to score goals. It felt like it was coming. I told them they just need to trust themselves. The defense was focused and dialed in.”

In the win over the Knights, Molly Partridge led the way with a three-goal effort, while Lennox and Jackie Franklin finished as well. The Rangers hosted NYA Tuesday and welcome York Monday of next week.

“We just need to keep up our intensity and energy,” Lennox said. “We don’t want to peak at the wrong time and I don’t think that will happen.”

“We just need to keep playing like we’ve been playing,” Seitz said. “This gives us a lot of confidence that we can keep the train rolling and make it far in playoffs.”

“We just have to be confident and consistent,” Williams added. “We have to keep up our motivation and leadership.”

Yarmouth was 4-2-2 entering Tuesday’s home game versus Freeport (see our website for game story) after a 2-0 home loss to Greely and a 2-0 win at Waynflete last week. Against the Rangers, Marian Pitney made four saves but the Clippers couldn’t generate any offense.

“(Greely) made us pay a couple times and that’s what good teams do,” said Yarmouth coach Andy Higgins. “But I’m really proud of our kids. They competed and battled. We had some good stretches, but we didn’t get great chances. We got bogged down and didn’t adjust to what they gave us. We’ll get that fixed as we move forward. They’re good and they exploited some things. I thought our first half was better than the second half.”

In the victory, Fiona John scored her first career goal and set up Taylor Oranellas for the other. The Clippers stay home to battle NYA next Tuesday.

“We’ll never get too high or too low after a game,” Higgins said. “The schedule doesn’t get any easier. We’ve been competitive with both (Cape and Greely) and we’re still pretty young and still learning. Hopefully these lessons will pay off down the road.”

Freeport evened its record at 3-3 last Tuesday with a 2-0 home win over York. Braelynn Coons and Lucy Riggs scored the goals and Karleigh Costello saved nine shots. After going to Yarmouth Tuesday, the Falcons visit Lincoln Academy Thursday, welcome Gray-New Gloucester Saturday, then play at reigning Class C champion Waynflete Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, Falmouth was 5-2-1 after a 3-2 loss at Marshwood and home wins over South Portland (2-1) and Westbrook (7-0) last week. In the setback, Reese Harder converted a penalty kick and the Navigators’ second tally came on an “own goal.” In the victory over the Red Riots, Gwen Long and Hadley Perry scored. Against the Blue Blazes, Long scored three times, Perry added two goals and Jewel Gamdah and Charlotte Talmage finished with one apiece. Falmouth goes to Gorham Thursday, visits Sanford Saturday, then welcomes two-time reigning Class A champion Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, NYA won its seventh consecutive game to start the season, 5-1, over visiting St. Dom’s, then fell to 7-1 with a 2-0 home loss to Traip Academy Saturday. In the victory, Delphine Daniel had two goals and Lyla Casey, Delia Fontana and Natasha Godfrey added one apiece. The Panthers were at Greely Tuesday, host Monmouth Academy Friday, then play at Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

The best story of the field hockey season so far is the undefeated start of the Gray-New Gloucester/North Yarmouth Academy co-op team. Last week, GNG/NYA improved to 7-0 with home wins over Lake Region (3-1) and perennial powerhouse York (2-1). Against the Lakers, Greta Tod scored twice and Emma Bowden also rattled the cage in a game played at NYA on Senior Day.

“It was really special to have this at NYA, on turf,” said Tod. “The GNG/NYA team means a lot to me, especially since they took us in and let us play with them. It got a little scary toward the very end. We got a little too comfortable. Next time, we have to make sure our heads are in the game right up until the end.”

“We actually have a really young team, but we have a lot of skills and we’re very athletic,” said GNG/NYA coach Julia Leary, now in her third season at the helm. “Our coaching staff clicks well together and that trickles down to the girls. They’re a great bunch. They’re super-dedicated and they get along well. I honestly think we’re very fortunate that both sets of players are great people. They’re kind and supportive and they’re just great teammates. And winning helps. Our success breeds confidence.”

In the win over the Wildcats, Tod and Kenlie Nadeau had the goals. GNG/NYA’s toughest test to date came Tuesday at Yarmouth. The squad is home against Oak Hill Friday, then welcomes Fryeburg Academy Monday of next week.

“I’m really looking forward to see how we compare against the top teams,” said Tod. “I think we can right on par with them. We just have to keep our intensity up and have fun. That’s when we do our best.”

“We’re definitely looking forward to the next couple weeks of our season,” said Leary. “It’ll be really tough, but the girls are focused and they’re putting in the work. We’ll ride this high as long as we can. The girls are proud of themselves and that makes a big difference.”

Yarmouth carried a six-game win streak and a 6-1 record into Tuesday’s home battle with GNG/NYA. Last week, the Clippers blanked visiting Poland, 5-0, as Gianna LaBella, Sally McGrath, Maya Nasveschuk, Erica O’Connor and Celia Zinman all had one goal. The Clippers go to Brunswick Friday, then visit Cape Elizabeth Monday of next week.

Reigning Class B state champion Freeport had 10 days off between games and returns to action Thursday at York. The Falcons, 6-0 on the year, riding a two-year, 14-game win streak, host Poland Saturday and visit Mt. Ararat Monday of next week.

Greely was competitive last week, but lost at home in overtime to York (2-1), then fell at Fryeburg Academy (1-0). Against the Wildcats, Anna Hendry scored the Rangers’ only goal. Mya Vickerson made six saves in the loss to the Raiders. Monday, Greely got back on track and edged visiting Cape Elizabeth, 1-0, on Helen Zimmerman’s overtime goal, to improve to 3-5 and snap a four-game skid.

“When I got in there, I just slammed the ball in and it went through (the goalie’s) legs,” Zimmerman said. “I thought I hit it well, but I thought it was going wide of the post. I was so excited. It’s my first goal this season. This is a defining game for us this season. We needed to come out strong and get a good win.”

“It feels very good for our confidence,” Rangers coach Burgess LePage said. “Today was about finishing and making sure the score reflected what we put out there. We still need to do it earlier.”

Greely is back in action Friday at home versus Lake Region.

“We need to keep coming out strong, getting back on defense, getting our sticks down and getting shots off right when we get into the circle,” Zimmerman said. “We just need to continue to start off strong.”

“We know we can defend well, but we have to connect as we move out of our end,” LePage said. “Lake Region will be intense and we’ll have to be ready. We need some wins. We need to work on strengthening our communication and connection and having confidence that when we get the ball on offense, we’ll keep it there. This gives us confidence and we need to have that confidence at every juncture so we don’t rest on any laurels. What matters from here on out is the scoreboard.”

Falmouth improved to 5-3 with recent wins at Massabesic (3-0) and at home over Marshwood (3-2). Against the Mustangs, Ani Bush had two goals and Jaelyn Meader scored the other. In the win over the Hawks, Meader, Lux Dugan and Lily Young scored the goals and Avary Davis saved three shots. The Navigators are back in action Friday at Kennebunk.

Volleyball

Yarmouth’s five-time reigning Class B champion volleyball team has won seven consecutive matches after opening with a loss to Washington Academy. Last week, the Clippers outlasted visiting Scarborough in five sets, then blanked host Sanford. Yarmouth welcomes Deering Wednesday, gets another shot at Washington Academy Saturday on the road, then goes to defending Class A champion Gorham Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth fell to 3-5 after straight set losses last week at Cape Elizabeth (20-25, 23-25, 19-25) and York (23-25, 15-25, 17-25). The Navigators hosted Scarborough Tuesday, welcome Thornton Academy Thursday, then go to Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

Greely won three straight matches last week to even its record at 4-4. The Rangers downed host Cheverus in four sets, blanked visiting Gray-New Gloucester (25-13, 25-6, 25-10) and held off visiting Messalonskee in five games. Against the Patriots, Annabel Talley had three aces and eight kills, Elena McKenzie added six aces and Kylie Greco finished with four aces. Greely hosted Bonny Eagle Tuesday, go to Lake Region Friday, then travel to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week.

NYA fell to 0-7 after recent four set losses at Brunswick and at home to Maranacook (9-25, 11-25, 25-20, 18-25) and Bucksport (18-25, 25-27, 25-18, 17-25). Against Bucksport, Chloe Shervanick had 12 digs, five aces and three kills and Nizzie Hemphill added 10 digs. The Panthers were at Westbrook Tuesday, host Gray-New Gloucester Thursday and Edward Little Saturday, then visit Maranacook Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

Falmouth and Maine Coast Waldorf School took part in a 10-team crossover Southwestern Maine Activities Association/Western Maine Conference meet at Greely last week.

The Navigators boys came in first. Frederick Brill was sixth individually in a time of 18 minutes, 9 seconds. The Rangers were second and were led by individual runner-up William Coull (17:30). MCW finished 10th. Leo Anderson was the team’s top finisher (36th, 21:14).

In the girls’ meet, Falmouth was first, as Maeve Ginevan was fourth individually (20:11). Greely finished third and had the second-place individual (Rowan Barry, 20:01). MCW produced individual champion Soren Stark-Chessa (19:38) and placed fifth as a team.

Freeport, NYA and Yarmouth joined Traip Academy and York at Gray-New Gloucester.

In the boys’ competition, the Falcons came in first. Alex Gilbert was second individually in 17:09.46. The Clippers were third as a team. Cameron Pernal was eighth (18:55.56). The Panthers finished fifth as a team and were paced by Mael Saint-Hilaire (14th, 20:04.18).

The girls’ race was won by York. Freeport came in second and had the top individual (Lucy Huggett, 19:56.81). Yarmouth finished third as a team and was led by Madeleine Jones (fourth, 21:30). NYA placed fourth as a team. Hadley Smith was ninth individually (22:31.22).

Golf

The golf regular season was winding down at press time.

Reigning Class A champion Falmouth improved to 7-1 last week with a 13-0 win over Deering. Luka Roediger had a team-best nine-hole score of 41. The Navigators finished up with Portland and South Portland.

Greely was 3-4 after a 7-6 win over Windham and an 11.5-1.5 loss to Gorham. Against the Eagles, Joe Hansen was the medalist with a score of 35.

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

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