Volleyball battled hard against Falmouth

Meghan Harmon

By Matt Pascarella

After winning the quarterfinal game against South Portland, the Lady Eagles travel1ed to Falmouth, to take on the Yachtsmen, on Wednesday, October 30^th.

To say there was high energy during these sets is an understatement. So much energy, that the gym sounded like one big roar.

Windham came out strong and got the first point. They were on fire, soon it was 4-0, Lady Eagles.

Windham was aggressive with great volleys and returns. They set and spiked the ball well and took a lead, but then the game was tied at eight. The set was close and intense. When Falmouth hit hard, Windham hit harder. The game was soon tied at 19. Windham’s momentum didn’t stop. Windham had match point. A spike from the Lady Eagles gave them win #1: 25-20.

Windham’s intensity never faltered. Falmouth took an early lead in set #2, but the Lady Eagles were still in it. Windham battled, with tough defense; Falmouth spiked the ball hard and Windham returned the ball to catch their opponent off guard. The Lady Eagles did their best, but fell in set #2, 25-8.

Set #3 started with Windham scoring first. They were aggressive and took an early lead. Falmouth pulled ahead, but the Lady Eagles were not far behind. Windham spiked the ball well and had excellent teamwork with exceptional volleys. Falmouth took this set 25-14.

Set #4 began with both team’s neck and neck, but Falmouth pulled ahead. The Lady Eagles blocked multiple shots and began to make a comeback. Windham’s aggressive playing style never slowed down. The Lady Eagles gained momentum, but Falmouth won set #4. 25-14

“Our drive and motivation in the past few games have just been more than anything we’ve seen in a long time,” stated Team Captain and Senior Megan Fleck. “I think we did good. The first set showed how we could play and the next two we got hesitant with ourselves, the last one we really picked it back up at the end.”

“We came out on fire; after our quarterfinal match,” said coach Chris Cloutier. “The girls felt like they deserved to be here, and they certainly did. They pushed all season, we worked pretty hard...overall the girls did a great job. [Falmouth has] some good players who can hit the ball pretty hard, but we were ready for it...it was good to have that happen.”

Another great season for Windham cross country

Hannah Langstaff

By Matt Pascarella

Windham cross country competed at the state competition at Twin Brook Recreation in Cumberland on Saturday, November 2nd. Windham had seven runners competing.

Windham finished ninth out of 15 teams. Windham was also the 13th fastest team in Maine overall; against all Classes, A, B, and C; with a total of 36 teams at States. Nicely done!

Freshman Elise Schultz placed 66th and dropped 17 seconds off her Regional Championship time, in a State Championship Meet to finish with a time of 22:32.39!

“Throughout my season, I prepared my body for regionals and states by increasing my mileage, but I always lacked confidence and doubted my ability to run at a faster speed,” Schultz explained. “At the state meet, I discovered my true potential and my ability to overcome my largest obstacle...my mind.” 

Of the 111 Class A runners, sophomore Estella Inman was 23rd, with a finish time of 20:51.00 and was 35th of 299 runners overall in Maine. All in her first year ever running cross country!

“It was kind of hard racing the same course,” observed Inman. “It was also helpful because you knew what was going to be next, so it went by very fast. I’m really excited for next year and I want to do even better than this year.”

Senior Hannah Langstaff placed 42nd and finished with a time of 21:48.70.

Senior Hailey Applebee placed 55th and finished with a time of 22:13.00.

Right behind her, was sophomore Camille Culpovich who placed 59th with a time of 22:15.19.

Sophomore Eve Schultz finished 86th with a time of 23:34.66.

Diane Ingalls wasn’t far behind Schultz, as Ingalls finished 89th with a time of 23:46.09.

Senior Hailey Applebee reflected on the race and the future of cross country for her. “The whole time I’m thinking I got to do it for my team...perform the best that I can and that I’m mentally prepared for this...make the most of it.” She plans to run in college.

“The Lady Eagles team pursuit began in early July,” remarked coach Jeff Riddle. “Their progression taught them to run united, with a mental edge, and with grit and determination. Saturday at the State Championship meet was a very successful day for Windham High School Cross Country.”

“We had a growing year on the boys’ side with diverse levels of experience on the team, and our season was a great one for our seniors, an investment season in learning for our underclassmen to set new goals for 2020.”

Girls’ soccer gives it all against Gorham

Emma Millett

By Matt Pascarella

Fifth seeded Windham faced off against fourth seeded Gorham in the Class A South Quarterfinal playoff game, played at Massabesic High School in Waterboro on Tuesday, October 29^th.

The Lady Eagles came out aggressive and ready to play. Less than 2:30 into the first half, Emma Millett, #4, rocketed the ball past the keeper and put Windham on the board very early on. The Lady Eagles worked to be first to the ball, had strong offense and defense and kept up their intensity during the half.

Half: 1-1

Windham began the second half intense, pressuring Gorham right from the start. They passed the ball well with excellent defense and offense, taking multiple shots on goal. The Lady Eagles worked extra hard and left everything on the field, but Gorham managed to get by.

Final: 2-1, Gorham

“Getting that first goal right away was huge,” observed coach Deb Lebel. “In terms of shots, we did outshoot them, I do feel like we had some momentum. We came together as a full team...this was not the same team that started in September. Kids have stepped up; great group of kids...the future is bright for the girls next season.”

Varsity football ends season with powerful win

Left to Right Anthony Gugliuzza, Jayden Gonsalves, Ian Swann,
Ben Elliott, Will Segler II, Matty Babb

By Matt Pascarella

In their last home game of the season, varsity football took on Falmouth/Greely on Friday, October 25^th. It was Senior Night; seniors from the cheerleading squad and the football team were presented with a gift and those seniors and their families were thanked for the time and effort they had put in throughout their high school careers.

Windham was fired up and it didn’t take long for that energy to result in points on the scoreboard.

Falmouth/Greely received the kickoff but didn’t get very far as the Eagle’s defense tackled them hard and multiple times throughout the game. Windham got the ball all the way to Falmouth/Greely’s two-yard line before the end of the first quarter.

Four seconds into the second quarter and Ben Elliot, #27, scored a touchdown. After the extra point was missed, 6 - 0, Eagles. Windham’s defense never wavered as they knocked passes intended for their opposition away. With less than one-minute left in the half, Elliot caught a pass at the 20-yard line and it’s first and ten. 37 seconds left. Derek Palow, #21, scored the touchdown and Matty Babb, #13, put the ball in the endzone for the two-point conversion.

Half: 14-0, Windham

Palow kept it going in the third quarter when he ran from one end of the field to the other and scored an 85-yard touchdown! 85 yards!

Toward the end of the fourth quarter, the offense moved the ball closer and closer to the Falmouth/Greely endzone, but the final buzzer went off before either team had scored.

The Eagles took this game 21-7 and are headed to the quarterfinals to play Skowhegan, at home, on Friday, November 1st at 7 p.m.

“We have a young group, we only have six seniors, but we have some really good seniors that know what our goal is; they’ve been through the good times and last year was some rough times...they are very good leaders,” explained coach Matt Perkins. “They work hard every day and they preach the message. We’ve had some really close games. They kept showing up and we kept grinding and I’m really proud of them tonight, they played a pretty perfect game.”

Fall ball season is a grand slam

Carolina Blue and Windham Navy teams

By Matt Pascarella

The 12U (10-12-year olds) teams Windham Carolina Blue and Windham Navy hit the field against each other for the final game of the Fall Ball season, played at Ciccarone Field at Lowell Field in Windham on Saturday, October 26^th.

Carolina Blue had first ups. Cayden McCartney, #7, walked; Graham Herald, #4, got a base hit. Later, McCartney scored. Liam Kalakowski, #8, singled. After Liam Holivan, #6, was hit by the pitch, the bases were loaded. Bailey Ammons, #2, was hit by a pitch and Herald scored. Kalakowski stole home. Zach Kampi, #6, walked and scored.

Windham Navy player Josh “Just Josh” Tom, #12, jumped and made a stellar catch at first base to get an out.

On Windham Navy’s up, Alex “The Prodigy” Pastore, #8, got a base hit and stole home. 4-1, Carolina after one inning.

In the second inning, after three walks the bases were loaded. McCartney got a base hit and Aaron Sanborn, #11, scored, then Dawson Carlberg, #5, scored. Two more runners scored.

8-1 after two innings.

Fast forward to the fourth inning and Ammons doubled, Sam Redlon, #10, got a base hit, Kampi walked. Ammons scored. And Windham Navy left Carolina Blue runners on base to end the inning.

When Windham Navy took the plate, after a walk, Dominic “the Dominator” Cataldi, #1, got on base, Ethan “Got Him” Clapp, #2, is hit by a pitch, bases loaded. Calvin “Thunderstruck” Bartz, #11, scored. Aiden “Clutch” Lister, #7, walked and Cataldi scored to end the inning.

Final 13-3, Carolina Blue

“Overall, Fall Ball beat expectations on both the softball and the baseball side,” stated Mike Butterfield, Windham Little League Fall Ball coordinator and Coordinator for District 6. “We had six new towns join this year. In Windham, we fielded two 12U baseball teams...two 10U baseball teams and...four 8U (which was coed) baseball teams; that was over 100 kids. Big shout out to Bill Ciccarone for having the field ready for us every week in beautiful condition. It was amazing. Fall Ball doubled [participation] from 2018; it’s only going to grow from here.”

12U softball wins against Portland

Bottom Row - Chloe Edwards, Ashley Cloutier, Lacie Higgins, 

Caitlyn Marsh, Addison Leger

Top Row -Oriah Doucette, Rachelle Cloutier, 

Sophia Kalogerakis, Alayna Baldwin-Dagnese, Taylor Bernier

Coaches- Ronnie Higgins,  Shawn Leger, Ryan Edwards

By Matt Pascarella

The 12U softball team, comprised of 10 to 12-year olds, played their last home game, against Portland, on Sunday, October 20.

Portland scored one run in the first, and Windham answered back with a slug fest. Chloe Edwards,

#6, got a double. After Taylor Bernier, #2, got hit by the pitch, #7 Lacie Higgins bunted and got on base, Edwards scored.

Alayna Baldwin-Dagnese, #1, got hit by the pitch and now the bases were loaded. Bernier scored after Rachelle Cloutier, #3, got hit by the pitch. Caitlyn Marsh, #11, got a base hit and Baldwin-Dagnese and Bernier made it to home plate.

5-1, Lady Eagles.

Windham’s defense was sound as more than once the inning ended with Portland runners on base.

In the third, Baldwin-Dagnese got a base hit, then scored; 7-1, Windham.

In the fourth, Edwards doubled and scored. Fast forward to the sixth inning where Portland had started to make a comeback, but Windham put a stop to it and took the game, final: 9-6.

“This year we’ve expanded [fall ball participation] and it’s been a pretty good success overall. 

There’s been a lot of versatility with learning different positions and creating a good experience for the kids,” replied coach Ron Higgins. “Coaches Ryan Edwards and Shawn Leger bring knowledge, experience and a positive vibe to the group. This has been the second year for Windham with Fall softball and it seems to be a hit!”

Volleyball teams end seasons with a spike of excitement

By Matt Pascarella

Seniors: Back row: Emma Ward, Jessica Brooks, Megan Fleck, Meghan Harmon, Sierra Guite, Sarah Elder, Morgan Proulx, Angela Spiller. Front row: Lauren Kluwas, Maya Gaudet

The volleyball teams played Bonny Eagle, at home, on Tuesday, October 22^nd.

JV

Bonney Eagle won the first set, 25-17. Windham was neck and neck with teamwork and solid volleying in the second set. Windham pulled ahead, scored match point and won 25-22. Bonny Eagle had a lead in set three, Windham caught up, spiked the ball skillfully as enthusiasm rose. They battled, but Bonny Eagle won, 15-11.  

“They learned a lot about defense and coverage,” stated Coach India Ross. “The team grew a lot and I’m really proud of them.”

Varsity

It was senior night; seniors and their parents were acknowledged and thanked. Windham started with a significant lead. They were aggressive and took set one 25-20.

Bonny Eagle won set two 25-17. Windham won set three, 25-22.

In a high energy set four, Bonny Eagle got several shots blocked by Windham. Windham tied the game at 7 and ran away with the lead: 15-10, 20-11, then match point and the Lady Eagles won 25-12.

“The girls pulled out the matches that were important for us,” Coach Chris Cloutier commented. “I think, overall it was a really good season.”