LISBON FALLS

Numbers are down nearly across the board at Lisbon, with football struggling with ineligibility, injuries slowing the boys soccer team and low turnout with the cross country squad.

However, girls soccer hopes to improve on last year with a strong midfield, while the field hockey team is built for success once again.

Football

Coach — Dick Mynahan. Last season — After dropping their opener, the Greyhounds rolled off six straight wins and finished 6-2 for the No. 3 seed in Western D. After rolling to a 28-0 win over Maranacook in the quarterfinals, lost a semifinal heartbreaker to No. 2 Oak Hill, 21-20. Players lost — Dale Craft, Jordan Glover, Brett Gravel, Brandon Laurelez, Nick McNamara, Alex Bennett, Quincy Thompson, Jordan Torres, Robert Wood, Jacob Johnston, Justin Crocker. Players returning — Seniors Kyle Bourget (QB), Joe Philbrick (FB), Darren Ward (OL), Sean Ball (RB), Josh Collier (DL), Robert Wood (OL), Aaron Desjardins (C), Andrew Golino (OL); junior Shawn Grover (RB); sophomores Tyler Halls (WR), Tanton Mattson (OL), Noah Francis (RB). Key newcomers — “Senior Collin Higgins (OL). Team overview — “We have a problem with depth, with just 18 eligible players to begin the season,” said Mynahan, who is coaching the Greyhounds for the 28th season. “We haven’t been able to get on our field due to the track construction. It is a great thing for the community, getting a new track, but tough on us because our practice field just isn’t big enough to do what need to do to spread the field. But, we have to live with it and see if we can get on some other fields to work on our game. “We open with Winthrop/Monmouth, a team with 60 players. We gave them a game last year, but the players who are ineligible must sit for four games, half of the season.” Season opener — Sept. 6 against Winthrop/Monmouth. Due to track construction at Lisbon, game will be played at Brunswick High School at 1:30 p.m. Key contests — Sept. 19 at Boothbay; Oct. 4 home against Traip Academy; Oct. 10 at Maranacook; Oct. 25 home versus Oak Hill.

Boys soccer

Coach — Dan Sylvester. Last season — After a slow start, came on to post a 6-6-2 mark for the No. 11 seed in Western C. Fell to Waynflete, 7-2, in a prelim. Players lost — Kyle Whitman, Dillon Clifford, Cam Ramich, Tyler Bard, Zach Stevens. Players returning — Senior Johnny Yim (MF); juniors Nate Bergeron (GK), Nick Huston (MF), Troy Galarneau (MF), Jake Angelico (D, lost for year with injury), Austin Fournier (A); sophomores Ryley Austin (GK/D), Nick Lerette (MF/F), Josh Huston (D), Jacob Fusaro (D). Key newcomers — Freshman Jonah Sautter (A). Team overview — “We are very young, with several freshmen and sophomores that we are looking at right now,” said Sylvester. “Losing Jake (Angelico) for the season and Kyle Welch to St. Dom’s hurts. But, we are making adjustments and moving forward. We will roll the ball out and play, and I believe this team is mentally there. We have lots of work to do, but kids are anxious and excited to grow.” Season opener — Sept. 6 at Oak Hill, 4 p.m. Key contests — Sept. 12 home opener against Winthrop; Sept. 19 home versus Wiscasset; Sept. 29 home against St. Dom’s; Oct. 3 at Carrabec; Oct. 14 home versus Mountain Valley.

Girls soccer

Coach — Jake Gentle. Last season — A four-game slide late in the season dropped the Greyhounds to 6-8 and the No. 13 seed in Western C. Lost a tough 1-0 overtime contest to Wiscasset in a prelim. Players lost — Renae Samay-Houle, Jenna Clifford, Olivia Bulgin, Paige Galligan, Shantal MacWhinnie, Courtney Martel, Delaney Ouellette. Players returning — Seniors Kailyn Hill (D), Drew Stewart-Staples (MF), Loren Grant (MF), Taylor Feehan (F); juniors Deliah Schrieber (F), Abby Gamache (D), Katheryn George (F); sophomores Kipri Steele (MF), Chandler Riordan (D), Ali Sult (GK). Key newcomers — Sophomores Jasmine Le (D), Kaylin Le (MF); freshmen Sydney Douglass (MF), Emma Houle (D). Team overview — “In the middle of the field our seniors are strong and can control things,” said Gentle. “Ali is strong in goal, so for us it starts in the back and moves up. We’ll be solid defensively, with quickness on the outside. “Scoring is an exercise in patience for us. We need to capitalize on what the opponent gives us. On set pieces, the size of Kailyn (6-foot-1) gives us an advantage.” Season opener — Sept. 5 at Oak Hill, 4 p.m. Key contests — Sept. 13 home debut against Boothbay; Sept. 16 at Dirigo; Sept. 19 home versus Wiscasset; Oct. 2 at Carrabec; Oct. 16 at St. Dom’s.

Field hockey

Coach — Julie (Wescott) Petrie. Last season — The defending Class C State champs, went 11-2-1 during the regular season. After postseason wins over St. Dom’s and Dirigo, faced North Yarmouth Academy for the third straight season, falling to the Panthers, 2-1 in penalty corners in the Western C final. Players lost — Bailey Cutler, Hanna Jordan, Mariah Breton, Jenn Smith, Olivia Harrington, Sarah Craig, Nichole Jones, Sierra O’Kane, Kia Coffin. Players returning — Seniors Allie Bubar (D/MF), Michaela Bedell (MF), Molly Nicholson (MF/F), Arianna Kahler (F), Victoria Swan (GK/F), Stevie Charest (GK), Courtney Lawrence (MF/F), Mia Durgin (D/MF); junior Charlotte Mooney (F/MF); sophomore Kate Philbrick (MF). Key newcomers — Senior Ashley Field (Utility); juniors Olivia Leduc (D/MF), Riley Galipeau (D/MF); sophomores Chase Collier (MF/F), Bree Daigle (MF); freshmen Alyssa Hall, Morgan Fenderson, Shelby Cyr, Emily Brewer. Team overview — “We have a good returning group that will blend well with the new players,” said Petrie, who recently married. “Teamwork is a big piece, along with staying positive each game. We must take it game by game. “Last season we got away from strategy of playing as a team at times. This year, I am pleased to see that we are playing together, passing and spreading things around. The MVC will be tougher this year, with Mountain Valley, Oak Hill and Winthrop right there.” Season opener — Sept. 3 at home against St. Dom’s, 4 p.m. Key contests — Sept. 8 at Dirigo; Sept. 15 home versus Telstar; Sept. 22 at Winthrop; Oct. 3 at Hall-Dale; Oct. 10 home against Oak Hill.

Cross country

Coach — Jeremy Williams, first season. Last season — The Greyhound girls won the MVC title and finished 13th in the State Class B meet. Runners lost — Abby Roy. Runners returning — Senior Jeff Willey; juniors Nick Harriman, Brett Carter, Jordan Cole, Bree Sautter, Caitlyn Bundy; sophomores Mike Schlotterbeck, Silas Crosby. Key newcomers — Williams is looking for more athletes to join the cross country team once school begins. Team overview — “A couple girls transferred or moved on to other sports, so it makes it tough with just two on the team,” said Williams, who takes over for longtime Lisbon coach Hank Fuller. “The two girls here are upbeat and will challenge for individual success down the road. “The boys will be strong. They will battle well and are just a strong crew. I think they will be just fine come MVC, regional and state meets.” Season opener — Sept. 10 at Winthrop, 4:15 p.m. Key meets — Oct. 8 lone home meet at Beaver Park; Oct. 18 MVC Championships; Nov. 1 Class C State Championships.