The stretch run of fall sports action is underway, as the soccer, field hockey and volleyball regular seasons come to a close early next week, cross country’s biggest meets are right around the corner, football’s regular season is ticking down and golf just wrapped up its championships as well.

There’s a lot to absorb, so here’s a look back to a dramatic week and a glimpse at what’s still to come for Cape Elizabeth and South Portland athletes:

Golf

Neither Cape Elizabeth or South Portland qualified for golf states as a team, but both squads sent two individuals.

In Class A, which was won by Scarborough, the Red Riots were represented by Evan Campbell, who shot an 18-hole round score of 90 to tie for 49th place, and Corbin Voisine, who tied for 54th place by shooting a 91.

For the Capers in Class B, which was won by Gardiner, Callvon Mitchell shot a 98 to tie for 57th, while Josie Sparks tied for 65th after shooting a 99.

Football

South Portland’s Darius Johnson reaches for a pass during last week’s loss at Thornton Academy.  Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Portland Press Herald

Cape Elizabeth’s football team continued its resurgence last Friday by downing visiting Leavitt, 21-14, to improve to 3-3 and second in the Class C South Crabtree Points standings. Eli Harter’s 45-yard touchdown run gave the Capers a 7-0 lead after one quarter. After the Hornets, the two-time reigning Class C state champions, tied the score, quarterback Brady Inman connected with Aidan Connolly from 14-yards out. Leavitt then drew even, 14-14, at the half. After a scoreless third period, Inman’s 12-yard TD run early in the fourth produced the winning margin.

“Most of our games, we’ve gone down and scored on our opening drive and then run out of steam,” said Cape Elizabeth’s second-year coach Peter Cekutis. “Really, the only way to get in shape and know how to play for 48 minutes without a break is just to do it.”

The Capers are at 2-4 Brunswick Friday. The teams didn’t play last season.

South Portland, meanwhile, dropped its second consecutive game, 35-7, at reigning Class A champion Thornton Academy, to fall to 4-2 and fourth in Class A South. The Red Riots fell behind, 7-0, after one quarter, then drew even on quarterback Easton Healy’s 1-yard touchdown run, but by halftime, the Golden Trojans were in front, 21-7, and they added one more score in both the third and fourth periods to put it away.

“With the physical piece, we knew we would be able to play in the trenches with them,” said South Portland coach Aaron Filieo. “But look, we were just really undisciplined, and they made us pay. Where we lost gap integrity (on defense), they found it. Where we were misaligned, they found it.”

The Red Riots welcome 5-1 Noble in a key showdown Friday night (see our website for game story). Last year, South Portland lost at the Knights, 28-20. The inductees from the 2024 South Portland Football Hall of Fame class will be introduced at halftime.

Boys’ soccer

Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ soccer team was 8-3-1 and fourth in the Class B South Heal Points standings following a 4-0 home loss to Greely and a 7-0 win at St. Dom’s last week. In the victory, Harry Converse scored twice and Ian Frost, Luis Gonzales, Tully Haydar, Caiden Johnson and Luke Lombardo all added one goal.

The Capers were at Freeport Thursday and close the regular season at home versus four-time reigning Class B champion Yarmouth Tuesday of next week.

In Class A South, South Portland was 7-5 and ninth after consecutive wins at Sanford (5-0) and Thornton Academy (1-0) and at home over Massabesic (8-0). Against the Mustangs, Gedeao Buanza scored four goals and Bossay Ditanduka, Christiano Junda, Ben Morin and Aamir Suja added one apiece.

The Red Riots were at Windham Thursday, then finish the regular season Monday at Westbrook.

Girls’ soccer

Cape Elizabeth’s Heather Campbell plays defense during last week’s tie at Greely. Hoffer photo.

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth was 9-1-2 and second to Greely in the Class B South Heals at press time following last week’s 1-1 tie at Greely and wins at York (2-0) and at home over Wells (5-0). Against the Rangers, Noelle Mallory scored on an early header, butGreely scored with under three minutes to go to forge the draw.

“Were you not entertained?” said Capers coach Branden Noltkamper. “It was such an evenly matched game between two really good opponents. It’s fun I’m sure for the spectators. It’s stressful for the staff and the kids, but it’s a great environment to be a part of. We talk about being able to put in 80 minutes and I thought we put in a really good 70, 75 tonight. Both teams battled the entire way. I’m proud of our kids. These kinds of games get us ready for playoffs.”

Cape Elizabeth got eight saves from Libby Hooper against the Rangers. Hooper stepped into goal at the last minute for ailing starter Kelsie Law.

“It’s been about two years since I played,” Hooper said. I was nervous. I hadn’t been in goal in a long time. As soon as I stepped in there, it felt really natural and it all came right back.”

“It’s Libby first game in goal in a couple years,” said Noltkamper. “We are so fortunate to have someone like her. As soon as we got the phone call that Kelsie was out, she didn’t hesitate. I’m so proud of her for stepping up. Without hesitation she said, ‘I’ve got my gloves with me.’”

In the win over the Wildcats, Addie Miller had one goal and assisted on another goal by Mallory, as Hooper had a shutout in goal. Against the Warriors, Mallory scored twice, while Miller, Campbell DeGeorge and Maddie de Vries added one goal apiece. CC Duryee had two assists and Law returned and made two saves for the shutout.

The Capers hosted Freeport Thursday and go to two-time reigning state champion Yarmouth in the finale next Tuesday.

“We need consistency for 80 minutes,” Hooper said. “We have to make sure we finish our chances in the final third. I know we can win and we want to win very badly.”

“We’re hoping to get everyone back healthy,” said Noltkamper. “It’s a wild race. We talk internally about controlling our own destiny. We don’t look at the Heal Points every day. We won’t go watch other games. We just worry about what we need to do. We just need to continue to get better every day.”

South Portland was 4-6-2 and 10th in Class A South (where 12 teams make the playoffs) after a 1-0 home loss to Marshwood and a 4-1 win at Westbrook.

The Red Riots welcomed Sanford Thursday and close at Cheverus Tuesday of next week.

Field hockey

Cape Elizabeth’s field hockey team lost at Fryeburg Academy (1-0) last week, then improved to 2-9 Monday with a 2-1, come-from-behind, overtime victory over visiting Lake Region. Lulu Stoecklein stopped 10 shots in the setback. In the win, Abby Proctor scored the tying goal in the fourth quarter, then Clio Cook-Sharp played the hero in OT.

The Capers (10th in the Class B South Heals, where just eight teams qualify for the playoffs) go to reigning state champion Freeport Friday, then close at home with games versus Greely Saturday and York Monday of next week.

The South Portland/Westbrook co-op team was 4-7-1 and 10th in Class A South (where 10 teams qualify) after losses at Massabesic (6-1) and at home to Windham (4-1). Jane Phillips scored the goal against the Eagles.

South Portland/Westbrook was at Portland/Deering Wednesday and finishes the regular season Friday at home versus Kennebunk.

Volleyball

Cape Elizabeth’s volleyball team was 9-3 and eighth in the Class B statewide Heals after downing off visiting Gray-New Gloucester in four games (25-12, 24-26, 25-9, 25-7) and losing at York in four sets.

Cape Elizabeth, which had its six match win streak snapped by the Wildcats, hosted red-hot Greely Thursday, then closes at home versus five-time reigning Class B champion Yarmouth Monday of next week.

South Portland was 5-6 and 11th in Class A (where 12 teams make the playoffs) heading into Wednesday’s home match versus Cheverus. Last week, the Red Riots edged host Sanford in five games.

South Portland was at Westbrook Thursday, then closes at home versus Biddeford Tuesday of next week.

Cross country

South Portland’s cross country teams joined Cheverus, Deering, Portland and Westbrook for a meet last week at Smiling Hill Farm. The boys placed second to the Bulldogs and were led by Evan Small, who came in fourth individually in 17 minutes, 26 seconds. The girls’ squad was fourth and was paced by 11th-place finisher Audrey Lebleu (23:25).

Cape Elizabeth hosted Gray-New Gloucester and Old Orchard Beach last week. The Capers girls’ team came in first and produced top individual Hannah Frothingham (20:22). The boys were second to the Patriots, but Liam Nudd was the top individual (17:38).

Press Herald staff writer Steve Craig contributed to this story.