Windham High School Varsity Football Photos. Thanks to the amazing photography by Stephanie Coffin

Hunter Coffin attempting the catch from Bernier

 

Hunter Coffin carries the ball downfield from the kick off return

Seth Wall moves down field avoiding the Bulldogs

Tanner Bernier scrapping through Portlands defense

The Eagle line attempting to block the field goal

Windham High JV and varsity volleyball took on Massabesic at Windham by Matt Pascarella

The Windham High JV Volleyball team came out strong on the Thursday, September 21 game in the first set with Katelyn Smith (#5) scoring multiple points and Mollie Simonson (#22) scoring two points. Additional scorers for Windham in the first set were Julia Freire (#14), Ellen Files (#6) and Hayleigh Moody (#26). Windham had several good volleys resulting in multiple points, but at the end of the first set Massabesic was able to squeak by, winning 25-21.
 

In the second set, Windham was altogether aggressive with excellent teamwork and communication. Points were scored by Katelyn Smith, Ellen Files, Sarah Elder (#12) and Julia Freire. Windham got it done winning the second set 25-19.

A tense third set started out a little slow for Windham, but the girls came back with great volleying and communication to close the gap between them and Massabesic. Ellen Files scored multiple times in the third set. Sarah Elder scored after an assist from Brooklynn Bracket (#7). The girls played a very solid game, but lost the third set 15-12.

Coach India Ross was pleased with how her team performed. “They played really, really well; their skills are improving a lot. This is probably the most skilled group of girls we’ve worked with so far...some of them have really great serves and are powerful hitters. [We have] very skilled players this year.”

The varsity girls had a powerful start to their game against Massabesic as well. The first set consisted of Morgan Proulx (#23) and Danielle Hall (#13) scoring multiple times. Other scorers included Grace Schmader (#16) and Lydia Budroe (#4). Windham had excellent teamwork and volleys in the first set resulting in a win 25-18 over Massabesic.

Windham came out just as forceful in the second set. Grace Schmader and Megan Fleck (#20) scored multiple times. Other scorers included Danielle Hall and Lydia Budroe. Windham continued their winning streak with a 25-20 win.

The third set was another tense one for Windham with Massabesic giving it their all. The two teams were neck and neck for most of the third set. Meghan Harmon (#35) and Julia Hills (#10) both scored multiple times. Windham had excellent teamwork and communicated well with each other. After an exciting third set, Windham clinched the win 25-20.

Coach Chris Cloutier was happy with the result of the game. “[We had a] good match against [Massabesic]. [The] team did a pretty good job of coming together...communicating and playing aggressively and staying after it...not giving up on any of the points. They really ended up doing what they needed to do to pull out a win. And giving ourselves a victory to help with our heal points to help us make a push towards playoffs...we’re on that brink right now; we really needed this win to take that momentum forward.”

Highlights from Windham High School football against Lewiston. Photos by Stephanie Coffin

Treva Valliere scrambles through the Lewiston defense

Seth Wall runs the ball for the Eagles

Connor Mcinnis Justin Labrecque and Treva Valliere celebrate the blocked kick touchdown

Grant Jacobson blocks the kick which resulted in a touchdown for the Eagles

Windham High Volleyball plays Deering High. Photos by Mark Gedicks

Windham High Volleyball lost a hard fought battle to undefeated Deering High 3-0 on Tuesday, September 20.  Set scores 25-9, 25-18, 25-22.

Windham High School’s Varsity Girls’ soccer team shines bright by Matt Pascarella

# 16 - Senior Sara Barrett

Saturday morning, September 16, was dark and murky in the sky but on Windham High’s field, the Varsity Girls’ soccer team was shining bright. Windham came out strong against the Maine Girl’s Academy (MGA) and continued to shine throughout the game. The girls banded together to play exceptional offense and defense, not only scoring multiple times in two halves, but keeping the ball out of their end zone for large portions of the game.

Windham’s great communication and effective ball passing gave them multiple players who scored in the first half. Maggie Llyod (#10) scored the first goal, Hannah Kaplan (#15) scored the second, Julia McKenna (#13) scored the third and Sara Barrett (#16) scored the fourth goal. The fifth goal was scored by Emma Yale (#40) with an assist by Rylee Pepin (#4). All in all, the first half was fast paced and exciting, with the girls bearing down hard on MGA. 

The Varsity Girls continued to show they had what it took against MGA at the start of the second half; Windham came out with just as much power as in the first half. They continued their steady offense and defense. Their communication remained strong, resulting in another four goals scored. McKenna assisted Llyod for the first goal of the second half. Meghan Hoffses (#6) scored the second goal and Llyod scored the final Windham goal. MGA had an owned goal, scoring on themselves, to make the final score: Varsity Girls 9, MGA 0. 

Head coach, Deb Lebel and assistant coach James “Jimmy” Stewart, were pleased with the outcome of Saturday’s game and how their players played to achieve that outcome. 

“We had eight different scorers, so it wasn’t just one player; we had eight different people be able to put the ball in the net. I think they did a great job of really trying to focus on that,” said Coach Stewart.

Coach Lebel agreed, “They played great; I think they played unselfish soccer. We’ve been working on possession, in terms of quickly passing around to get better opportunities against some of these better schools, so today I do think we learned a lot.”

Their next home game is Wednesday, September 27, when they take on Thornton Academy at 6:30 p.m.

DaGraca goal lifts Monks past Eagles

Saint Joseph’s College (1-1-0) edged Husson University (0-1-0), 1-0, in a rain-soaked non-conference women’s soccer contest this past weekend at Deering Memorial Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The first half featured quick-paced play with scoring chances on both ends, but the Monks struck first with what wound up being the game-winning goal in the 39th minute. Sophomore Michaela MacDonald (Gloucester, Maine), controlling the ball down the left sideline, jabbed a short left-to-right pass to Haley DaGraca (Saco, Maine), who evaded a defender and unleashed a kick, from just beyond the 18, to the top right corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of Husson freshman keeper Sami Ireland (Howland, Maine). 

The Monks had several close chances to double their advantage in the second half, as Ireland punched a shot taken by junior Emily Thornton (Saco, Maine) safely over the crossbar in the 75th minute and freshman forward Kayla Gooch (Dracut, Mass.) clanged a shot off the crossbar from close range less than two minutes later. 

THE KEEPERS:

Saint Joseph’s senior Brooke Troup (East Bridgewater, Mass.) made three saves to record the ninth shutout performance of her career while Ireland tallied eight stops in a losing effort.

TEAM STATS:

Saint Joseph’s held advantages in shots (17-9), shots on goal (9-4), and corner kicks (10-3) in the triumph. Both teams were flagged with 14 fouls.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:

With the result, Saint Joseph’s improves to 34-7 in the history of the series with Husson University. The Monks tipped the Eagles by a 4-3 margin in Bangor exactly one year ago.

Meet the Coaches Night kicks off the fall season by Matt Pascarella

As summer launches into fall, it’s that time of year when students return back to school. Reading, writing and math are part of the school experience, but it also includes sports.

Last Wednesday evening, August 30, the Windham High School auditorium was filled with parents,

Ed Gerety, Motivational Speaker

students and coaching staff, as everyone gathered to “Meet the Coaches.” This presented an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s coach and learn more about the upcoming season as well as ways of positive sportsmanship.

Athletic Director Rich Drummond was the first to welcome everyone present. 

“Our goal with our Meet the Coaches Night is to improve communication between the coach-athlete-parent,” began Drummond. “Parents hear first-hand what the coach’s philosophy and team rules are...so everyone has an understanding of our protocols and expectations before the season gets into full swing.”

Laura Morris, Project Director of Be The Influence, gave a valuable presentation about the importance of remaining substance free and making healthy choices.

Motivational speaker, Ed Gerety was the guest and offered a 40-minute presentation expressing an upbeat outlook on life and competition. He brought high energy and a powerful message of

positivity. 

“Make the school year the best you can be; it all begins with a positive attitude,” exclaimed Gerety. “A positive attitude plays a huge role in the decisions you make…stand up for one another, look out for one another…be respectful…be grateful and appreciative.”

Gerety was well received. At the end, athletes gave him a much deserved standing ovation.

Kate Griffin, a first year JV field hockey coach, also gave advice to the student athletes for a successful sports year. “Take it seriously. It’s a big responsibility. It’s like a job,” Griffin said.

Lauren Talbot, a varsity field hockey senior, said the team was “fired up and the most gelled” she’d seen.

Talbot added that it is important to come out and support the team. “We really like loud fans. We got this!”

Sean Cunniffee, a first year freshman on the junior varsity soccer team, said his goal was to “win games” and improve upon last year.

Deb LeBel, the head coach for varsity girls’ soccer and Jim “Jimmy” Stewart, a volunteer coach for the varsity girls, agreed the students they have are “great, talented kids with heart.” Stewart stressed the importance of soccer as a teaching tool. “There is only one winner, but [we want] the journey to be character-creating…soccer is a means to reinforce good traits. [We want the team] to be player-oriented, not team oriented.”

Boys’ varsity coach, Wally Leblanc, said his team is young and they are continuing to improve their skills. His advice to athletes for a successful season was to “work hard, have fun, seek improvement and get out of your comfort zone.” If that is done, “Win or lose, [teams] are successful.”

Good luck to all the athletes for the 2017-2018 school year!