Windham varsity boys’ soccer tops South Portland

By Matt Pascarella

For their final home game of the regular season, Windham’s varsity boys’ soccer went up against South Portland on Thursday, Oct. 17. It was Senior Night and Lukas Hammond, Garrett Crossman, Levi Hayman, Luke Cunniffe, Carter Engelman, Layth Jabbar, Zachary Noonan, Sam Rogers, Rory Good, Oliver Weatherby, Wes Theriault, Connor Gallant and Preston Stretch were each presented with a gift for their time and dedication to Windham athletics. After a hard-fought game, Windham emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.

Windham senior Luke Cunniffe fires a shot past the legs 
of a South Portland opponent during a boys' varsity
soccer game on Senior Night at Windham High School
on Oct. 17. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“Today our first 30 minutes was the best we’ve played all season,” said Cunniffe. “It’s a game of runs, we went on a long run, they went on a little run, in the end we had the most runs, so that allowed us to get up in the game. We’re still trying to get together and play a full 80 minutes; by postseason time, we will be there. Our ability to connect passes and counter quickly (went well), our defense is always so solid – yet another clean sheet. We work for each other and it’s amazing to see. Playing a full game – if we’re at our best, no one can stop us, but it’s just playing the full 80 minutes.”

The game began with two very strong defenses competing head-to-head. Windham seniors Sam Rogers and Cunniffe took several good shots on goal, but nothing got by the South Portland goalkeeper early in the game.

Roughly midway through the half, Cunniffe scored, assisted by junior Tyrie James. Windham senior goalie Lukas Hamond had several very nice blocks.

At the half Windham led, 1-0.

“South Portland definitely has some good players, they can press, they can put the ball in dangerous spots; they’re a team that’s right on the verge,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “They can possess the ball well, one of the things we were trying to do was push the tempo a little bit; when our team wants to press and push the tempo of the game, I do think our skillset is a notch or two better than (South Portland) can keep up with. That’s what we try to do against everybody. We want to 100 percent make sure we are putting together a complete game, in three phases of the game, in all three parts of the pitch – it’s been elusive, but this is the time of the year, we got to find it. Huge credit to the captains and the seniors to come out here, it’s an emotional night and be able to execute and come out with a win on your home pitch. We want to be able to dictate ... what’s happening with the ball and be able to put teams under and not necessarily go forward all the time – you got to trust the players around you; you got to trust the system; you got to move the ball. When we did that, they had no answer. It wasn’t straight down the middle of the pitch, it was a lot of let’s use the real estate out, to the touch line, let’s even try to play beyond the 18s (Penalty Box Line) to be able to drag some defenders out and serve some balls in – that’s where some of our best opportunities came from.”

In the second half, both defenses remained strong. However, Windham’s offense would not stay silent. After Cunniffe missed a penalty kick, moments later he capitalized on a ball bounce and got it past South Portland’s goalie.

Hammond continued to stop scoring opportunities and blocked every one of the six shots that came at him.

With 12 seconds remaining, Cunniffe squared the ball to Rogers who shot it toward goal and found the back of the net.

“We were thinking about (South Portland from) last year when we beat them 4-0 in the playoffs; they were definitely up there for their endgame,” said Rogers. “Things that went well was we did stay composed, we did a lot better at playing the wings, and balls into the box were good; we didn’t hold onto the ball for too long which was good. If we continue to do that, we’re going to make a deep playoff run.” <

Sixth-inning surge helps Windham avoid shutout in Fall Little League against Westbrook

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Little League’s fall baseball team took the diamond with Westbrook at the Westbrook Little League Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Westbrook jumped to a big lead early, but Windham powered through. A small surge late in the game was enough to avoid a shutout for Windham, but not enough to surpass Westbrook’s lead and eventual 10-2 victory.

Windham sixth grader Bronson Bassett hits the ball into the
air as he advances runners around the bases during a Fall
Little League baseball game against Westbrook at the
Westbrook Little League Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I saw everybody was moping their heads down and shrugging their shoulders and it’s only the second ... inning,” said Windham fifth grader Bronson Bassett. “So much more time we can come back in this game and everybody’s moping – I was like ‘this is fine, and we held them at 10.’ I feel like we got to be more confident in ourselves, we just got a little anxious. We can’t be having (a surge) in the sixth inning; we got to be more consistent with it – we got to have that burst of energy for the whole game. We just had to get the bat on the ball. We knew Westbrook was a good team and I feel like we just got to be more confident. Fielding went really well, but I do think we got to work on hitting; hitting was OK today.”

Early in the game, Westbrook took a pretty hefty lead. They scored five runs in the first inning, and another five in the third inning.

In the third inning there was a hard-hit ball to Windham shortstop and fifth grader Charlie Moore who made the catch with super quick hands.

In the fourth inning, Bassett singled to center field and then Windham sixth grader Caitlynn Halladay hit a ground ball, but unfortunately both were left on base.

After a walk, Windham sent three batters back to the dugout in the fourth inning. Even when Westbrook got hits, Windham held them on base.

“I think my team did really great,” said Moore. (Windham) kept up with the game; they didn’t give up and when I scored that first (run) they kept their heads up and after that ... they scored more after me. I went from second to third and then home because the other team wasn’t paying attention to the person on third, so I just had a chance to steal. Batting was good, contact was good, fielding was really good. We need a little bit more work (to make contact). Pitching was harder because the pitchers on Westbrook’s team had some good curveballs, so you really couldn’t keep up with them, like they’re coming at you, so you stepped out of the box and then it curves right back in and you’re like ‘oh come on.’”

After two walks in the sixth inning, Bassett grounds into a fielder’s choice, which eventually brought in Moore. Halladay singles on a ground ball and Bassett stole second base. After Windham sixth grader Kainen Pouliot singled, Bassett scored.

“Fall ball is an experience you have older players playing with younger players and trying to develop kids who haven’t played before,” said Windham Little League fall baseball coach Johnathan Bassett. “So, you’re looking to the newer players to help them out. They’re still learning the game ... so you’re trying to get experience for everybody as you’re looking toward the spring. The boys are consistently working hard at getting better, and always supporting one another. Basic fundamentals skills and game situations for the younger players always need improvement, but with confidence and effort, it will come.”<

Windham seniors Harmon and Profenno shine during Class A Maine State Golf Championships

By Matt Pascarella

For their final time, Windham seniors Fiona Harmon and Addison Profenno competed in the Class A Maine State Golf Championship on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Natanis Golf Course, a par 72, in Vassalboro. Both girls had incredible final games as high school seniors; Harmon shot an 87 and placed second, she also qualified for the New England Golf Tournament. Profenno shot a 92, placed sixth and is waiting to see if she qualified for the New England Golf Tournament.

Windham High seniors Addison Profenno,
left, and Fiona Harmon gather after
competing in the Class A Maine State
Golf Championships at the Natanis
Golf Course in Vassalboro on
Friday, Oct. 10.
PHOTO BY ABBY SPECTOR

“They are excellent teammates,” said Windham varsity golf coach Adam Manzo. “They are friendly to everyone – they are all-around awesome kids. They are nice, they treat everyone like they want to be treated. I’m super excited and happy for them. Over four years they’ve worked harder than anyone; they get to be here for one last chance, win or lose; I just think it’s great they get to be here. They’re sad it’s ending. We’re super lucky that they’re at Windham and not elsewhere.”

Both golfers hit par or better on at least five holes. Profenno received a top 10 plaque and birdied – one under par – on the fourth hole. Harmon received a runner-up plaque.

“I’m very proud of myself and what I have done in the four years that I’ve competed for Windham varsity golf,” said Harmon. “Friday was a great way to end my high school golf career. It took lots of dedication and practice to reach my goal. The highlight of Friday was all the support I had on the golf course. I also want to applaud all the other girls that competed at states. They all show great sportsmanship for each other, and I was very lucky to be able to play with all of them for the last four years.”

Harmon is unsure if she wants to play golf post-high school and Profenno would like to play on a club team after high school.

“I feel really well on how I played,” said Profenno. “Of course, there will always be the wish of shooting lower or making a putt I missed, but overall, I am satisfied. I feel like I was much more prepared mentally and physically than other years. I was completely focused and was more aware of what I needed to do when I had an unfortunate shot. My high point ... was definitely playing with the same people as I did last year. It was a very fun competition and made the long round enjoyable. I also was very proud about making a birdie putt on the first par three I played. Overall, the past four years on varsity have been a high point in my high school experience.”

Profenno and Harmon said Coach Manzo was always there to keep them motivated and having fun. They are thankful for all they learned on the golf course. They thank Manzo and their teammates for where they are today.

“I felt both did an incredible job representing our team, our school, and our community,” said Manzo. “Both seemed highly engaged and focused the entire day. I saw a lot of thinking going on out there, from club selection to reading putts. It was cool to start, and they had to battle serious wind all day long, which made conditions challenging. I’m just super proud of both of them. They are two outstanding kids who always want to play well, so this was a great way for them to wrap up their high school careers.” <

WMS girls’ soccer team unbeaten despite missing a regular goalkeeper

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Middle School’s seventh grade girls’ soccer team are 6-0 as of Thursday, Oct. 10 and have not let in a goal from any of their opponents yet. This would be impressive for any team, but what makes this extra noteworthy is this team has no designated goalie. Coach Aaron Talon has been rotating players in to play goalkeeper and the team’s defense is so strong their opponents barely get an opportunity to approach Windham’s net.

Alexis Woodcock of Windham Middle School's seventh
grade girls' soccer team focuses on where to send the ball
during a game against Lincoln Middle School on
Thursday, Oct. 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

This was evident in a game at Windham against Lincoln on Thursday, Oct. 10, where Windham won 7-0 and multiple Windham players scored.

“We’re a very close (team) and we’re good at soccer,” said Julia Call, who scored three times during the Lincoln game.

The reason the team has no designated goalie is the goalie for this age group is playing on a travel team and attends Jordan-Small School in Raymond and does not play on the Windham team during the school season.

This unusual situation hasn’t phased the members of this supportive and skilled Windham team. In six games they’ve had 11 goalies, and all the girls understand they need to step up and help out to do what is needed to win.

In the six games, Windham has outscored their opponents 27-0.

What led to their success over Lincoln was everyone chipping in and working together. During that game, in addition to Call, Raegan Magee, Gwen Cabana and Addie McPherson all had goals – plus Lincoln scored on their own goal.

“Not being a selfish player (is important) because everyone has a part in how we get to the other side of the field,” said WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Mila Richards.

At the beginning of the season, they thought not having a goalie was going to be a struggle. But many members of this team have played together for a while and the team has a stacked defense; everyone learned to adapt.

“We have 22 girls who are strongly dedicated to this sport,” said Talon. “Most of them play travel soccer through Windham Youth Soccer Association and some girls play on local premier teams. The girls all attend practice and they work hard to get better each day. We emphasize doing things the correct way. Most of these girls have never played goalie. I think some were excited for the opportunity, and also a little nervous. Our defense has done an amazing job supporting our goalies each game.”

According to WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Alexis Woodcock, it’s the teamwork, working outside the soccer team to establish good relationships with one another, which helps them communicate.

“Scoring goals on your own is good, (but) be excited for other people to have goals,” said WMS seventh grade girls’ soccer captain Gianna Falcone.

While the team definitely wants to keep their undefeated streak up and not let any goals in, they rarely talk about the score and focus more on the following objectives: to get better each day, represent the community well, compete to the best of their abilities and have fun. <

Windham varsity football earns first win of season during homecoming game

By Matt Pascarella

It was Windham’s Homecoming varsity football game, and the team fought for 48 minutes to beat Bangor posting a 34-18 victory over the Rams on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Windham sophomore Parker Sperry heads toward the end
zone during a prep football game against Bangor at
Windham High School on Saturday, Oct. 5.
PHOTO BY MATT  PASCARELLA 

Bangor tried to gain some traction late in the game, but Windham sophomore Tegan Perkins intercepted a pass to end the game as time disappeared from the scoreboard.

“I knew they were going to pass, and we all sunk into coverage, I didn’t really think – he threw it to me, I caught it and started ... running,” said Tegan Perkins. “Great energy we came in all fired up this morning, nobody thought we were going to lose, we all stuck through.”

WHS defense shut down the Rams, with multiple tackles. It was second and 10 and Windham stopped Bangor on the line of scrimmage. A fumble on Bangor’s snap and Windham gained possession. After one quarter the game was scoreless.

About 10 seconds into the second quarter, Bangor crossed into the end zone. The extra point was blocked.

It was first and 10 Windham on their 28-yard line. The Eagles made it to the 42-yard line for a first down. A few moments later senior Ayden Cofone scored. The extra point was good, and Windham led, 7-6.

Bangor got a first down on Windham’s 33-yard line but was stopped on fourth down.

On a second and 12, Windham sophomore Parker Sperry broke away and headed up the field for a 78-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and at the half, Windham led, 13-6.

“We knew we had to ... do something different and we all worked together as a team,” said Sperry. “We came to battle; we all communicated which is really important in football, you need all 11 guys on the same page – that is what I think helped us win. We need to get on a role and start coming to these games with a (winning) mentality because that’s what’s going to get us to the postseason.”

In the second half, it’s first and 10 Windham on their 30-yard line. Junior AJ Moody had a 14-yard run for a first down. A completed pass from Windham junior and quarterback Karl Longstreth to sophomore Mason Arbour who connected in the end zone. The extra point was good.

Windham remained hungry and wasn’t about to let up. Sperry had a 70-yard interception return, a pick 6; the extra point was good.

Windham freshman Patrick Davenport blocked a Bangor pass near the end zone.

On first down Windham was on the 20-yard line and Longstreth had an 80-yard run and scored. The extra point was good; Windham now led 34-6.

Bangor scored in the fourth quarter; but its two-point conversion was no good.

“We brought more energy as a team,” said Cofone. “This week at practice everybody really busted their tails off, a lot more energy in practice. A lot more people giving heart, even in the backup set ... giving it all they have.”

There was 2:30 left in the game, and Windham was not about to let up. Windham junior Reese Hutchinson blocked a Bangor pass.

Bangor scored but the two-point conversion was no good. After a personal foul against Windham, Bangor regained possession. With 40 seconds remaining, the Rams made one last push. When Bangor threw a pass, sophomore Tegan Perkins was there, caught and ran toward the end zone as the clock ran out.

“We’ve kind of changed some things around a little bit, trying to move guys in positions where they’re most comfortable,” said Windham varsity football coach Matt Perkins. “We’re only playing four seniors; and the seniors we are playing, three of them have never started in varsity football. We’re so young, we’re just figuring it out as we go. We haven’t had a bad practice ... it’s huge that they got the payoff today. Our big focus this week was defensively third downs, getting better at it – offensively execute and get first downs. In vital parts of the game, we stopped them on third down, we stopped them on fourth down. We swarmed to the ball better, we’re still working on tackling; we haven’t gotten to the place I want to be tackling; we had them in the back field a couple times and didn’t execute the tackle. We got to do a better job in space, just continue coverage and handling guys in space.” <

WHS varsity field hockey narrowly falls to Thornton Academy

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity field hockey team took the field on Monday, Oct. 7 at Thornton Academy in Saco. The Lady Eagles’ intensity was there, but Thornton Academy scored early and although Windham battled back, they ultimately lost, 2-0.

Windham junior Abby Trainor easily navigates past two
opponents during a varsity field hockey game at
Thornton Academy on Monday, Oct. 7.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“I thought we played pretty good, and we dominated for most of it,” said Windham senior Zoe Dries. “The balls were definitely 50-50, I think we just couldn’t capitalize on the shots. Our movement in the middle of the field was good – we went to a lot of the balls. I thought we overall played pretty good; we just couldn’t capitalize on the actual shots or getting the tipoff. I think it was the weather (we struggled with) and ... it’s been a while since we practiced together. We had possession for a lot of it and kept our heads up and kept playing hard even though it wasn’t going our way. Down the line we need to work on looking up before we pass and making sure we see a teammate before passing.”

Windham had a solid start and moved the ball up the field; defense minimized scoring chances for Thornton Academy.

WHS offense had several shots at goal, but nothing got by Thornton Academy’s goaltender. The game was scoreless after one quarter.

At the start of the second quarter, Dries had a shot at goal almost immediately. Windham remained aggressive.

Partway through the second quarter, Thornton Academy scored and with a minute left in the half, scored again, leading, 2-0, at halftime.

“We’re in this stretch right now where we have a lot of lulls between games,” said Windham varsity coach Cory DiDonato. “A lot of kids are getting over illness and depending on the game, it’s been a while since every kid has showed up 100 percent ready mentally. I think (Thornton) and Massabesic always gets in our heads a little bit. I don’t know why because we’re a very good team. We have amazing leaders on the team, leading by example showing what it looks like to work hard, what it looks like to get to the ball first, our passes have come a really long way. We’re good at transferring the ball, and our corners have come a really long way; we’ve got some really skilled players. Pockets are just getting to the ball first, we tend to back off and wait to see if we can stop it, instead of going to break up the play, we’re still working on that one.”

Windham was just as intense in the second half; they worked to be first to the ball and made strong attempts at penalty corner shots. WHS junior goalie Olivia McPherson had a nice save in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Windham fired multiple shots at goal, while defense mostly kept Thornton Academy away from Windham’s goal. McPherson had more saves. Windham junior Abby Trainor fired an elevated shot that whacked the back of the goal, but because of its height was considered a high ball and the goal was no good – it was an incredible shot though.

“I think we need to improve on our passing,” said Trainor. “Sometimes we do get stuck on one side and that’s what we’ve been working with in practice is to spread out and make longer passes. I think offensively we need to get back more than we should have. We got the quality shots off; it just didn’t go our way. Tough setbacks like this will help us excel forward throughout the season. Really well tonight was moving the ball up quick, especially on our free hits ... forwards do a really good job of collecting it and doing their own pulls and stuff to get into the circle to try to get a corner or a shot off, that was one of our best things, especially using the sidelines of those big passes. Now that we use the outside, it’s longer distance for us and we hit it in which exceeds our scoring opportunities.” < 

Eagles' football comeback rally falls short against South Portland

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity football team showed they are continuing to get better and better each game, and although Windham scored a couple touchdowns late in its game on Friday, Sept. 27 at South Portland, it wasn’t enough to get ahead of the Red Riots, who walked off the field with a 41-20 win.

Windham junior AJ Moody is about to score a touchdown
in a prep football game against South Portland on 
Friday, Sept. 27. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“We lost a lot of guys (due to injury) and we had a lot of guys step up and play hard and continue to fight, give effort and that’s what you got to have,” said Windham varsity football coach Matt Perkins. “It’s a tough game and we got a lot of young guys right now trying to figure it out; I thought they did a really good job tonight with composure. South Portland had six personal fouls on them, and I thought our guys handled themselves with class, held their composure and I’m very proud of that. We got to sustain our blocks, keep improving on tackling; being a young group, those are two things right now we got to fix. We had guys come in and made plays they hadn’t made before, like Tucker Roy, who stepped up and made some tremendous catches and tackles. He’s never really been in the spotlight of a varsity game, but he stepped up tonight and belonged, he really played well.”

South Portland kicked off and it was first and 10 Eagles at the 30-yard line. Windham picked up eight yards. Then they picked up another eight yards. After they moved closer and closer to the goal line, it was a first down at South Portland’s 42-yard line.

A completed pass to junior AJ Moody moved Windham to South Portland’s 30-yard line. Windham junior Wyatt Washburn picked up seven yards. A pass completed to Washburn and it’s fourth and one. Unfortunately, Windham was stopped short before scoring.

The WHS defense prevented South Portland from making progress in the first quarter. After one quarter, the game was scoreless.

In the second quarter, South Portland scored a couple touchdowns, but Windham players kept their heads up.

It was first and 10 from Windham’s 41-yard line. Windham sophomore Parker Sperry picked up seven yards. It’s third down. A 15-yard penalty against South Portland brought Windham to the 20-yard line for a first down. After a six-yard pickup, Windham junior Karl Longstreth made it into the end zone after a 15-yard run. The extra point was good and was 14-7 with South Portland leading.

South Portland scored again and led 20-7 at the half.

“We have seniors on the field who haven’t played,” said Longstreth. “We just played a team with 20-plus seniors who have been playing for four years. That takes a lot of experience out of us, we had a lot of injuries tonight – but we’re going to keep pounding there’s a lot of season ahead of us. Our passing game, I felt pretty confident. Our offensive line and our defense (need work). This next week we’re going to take a hard, hard look at our defense and our overall offense ... we’re going to keep moving.”

In the third quarter, South Portland offense scored once, but Windham was not finished.

The Eagles took over at the 28-yard line in the fourth quarter. Windham made it to the South Portland’s 40-yard line and it’s first down. It’s third down and Moody caught a 21-yard pass and hauls it in to score; the extra point was no good.

Moody said the Eagles gave it all they got, did everything they could and he’s very proud of the team.

With the clock running out, Windham freshman Patrick Davenport did not let South Portland defense stop him as he crossed the goal line on a 39-yard run.

“That was the first time I’ve ever touched the ball on offense,” said Davenport. “It was a little nerve-racking going in, but after the first play, I saw a hole open and as soon as I got outside, I knew I was going to go. It felt so amazing, and I’ve dreamed about this forever. First game I ever started, and I scored, so I’m definitely happy, even though it was a tough loss. We worked really hard, we played all four quarters – we fired on all cylinders and played a pretty good game.” <