WHS girls’ lacrosse captures first-ever Class A state title

By Matt Pascarella

WHS varsity girls’ lacrosse team had already shattered records when it won its first-ever Regional Championship by defeating Falmouth on June 18. But it was far from finished and faced the team that had given Windham its only loss of the season, top-ranked Kennebunk, on Saturday, June 21 at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland with the Class A State Championship on the line. Windham emerged as State Champions with a 12-9 win and secured the first-ever state championship for the program.

Windham freshman Brooklyn Roy winds up to take a 
shot at goal and scores early during the Class A Girls'
Lacrosse State Championship Game against Kennebunk
in Portland on Saturday, June 21. WHS won, 12-9,
and won the program's first-ever state title.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Second-ranked Windham had a strong start and scored four goals in the first quarter. Windham’s defense held off Kennebunk and the Rams had a much harder time scoring than in their previous game against the Eagles.

“The connection we have with each other is unmatched; everyone trusts each other to the full limit,” said Windham senior Grace Joly. “We have girls stepping up that at the beginning of this season that couldn’t have – they really just jumped a step. Everybody looks for everybody; it’s not just two players running the whole field. Everybody is setting everyone up. (Comparing the two games) we were a little nervous, coming into our first game of the season, but we came into this game with a lot more confidence, knowing that we could do it and that set the tone.”

Windham won the draw and freshman Brooklyn Roy scored very early in the game. Seconds later Windham sophomore Morgan McLain scored and was assisted by junior Mady Donnelly.

The Eagles’ defense remained strong, and Kennebunk struggled to score, although they did tally one in the first quarter.

Windham remained intense throughout the entire game. They were first to the ball and passed well throughout. With just 18 seconds left in the first half, senior Grace Joly scored for the second time and WHS led at halftime, 7-4.

Junior Abby Trainor scored twice at the beginning of the second half against Kennebunk, once unassisted and once assisted by Roy.

“I think all parts of our team are really strong,” said Trainor. “Our defense is so locked down and we make quick adjustments and offensively, all seven people on the ball can score. They might not score, but they can score and anyone on the bench, too, can score. A lot of our goals are assisted ... it’s just very team ball. We’re patient and everyone is so skilled ... always being in the lead displaced (Kennebunk’s) momentum. We’ve been phenomenal on the draw all season.”

Going into the fourth quarter, Windham led by six.

“We were definitely tired (going into the fourth quarter), said Joly. “When you’re 12 minutes, six minutes, four minutes away from winning a state championship that really pushes you to dig inside the deepest part of you that wants to leave everything out on this field – especially since it’s your last game.”

Kennebunk made a little headway down the final stretch, but not enough. Windham led by three with 30 seconds remaining in the game. As the clock ticked away, Windham had possession, it became more and more evident that it was about to win its first state title and it did.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Windham girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “I’m just so happy for these kids and this program. The kids and coaches that came before us to help build it and start it and all the work that’s gone into how we do things, how we work and how we treat each other, just really special to see it happen today. We did a much better job taking care of the ball (compared with when they played Kennebunk earlier in the season.) We took care of the ball well, we ... controlled the tempo, even when it was up three points, we still had control.” <

Windham High wins second Class A State Softball title in three years

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High’s varsity softball team derailed top-ranked Cheverus in the Regional Championship Game and then took on seventh-ranked Edward Little at Saint Joseph’s College on Saturday, June 21. Windham got the bats going early and immediately put runs on the scoreboard, ultimately winning 7-0 and capturing its second state championship in three years.

Windham junior Addison Caiazzo swings at a pitch while
batting against Edward Little during the Class A Softball
State Championship Game at Saint Joseph's College
on Saturday, June 21. WHS won, 7-0, to earn its 
second state softball title in three years.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA
 

“I think our chemistry as a team (led to the win),” said senior Stella Jarvais. “We all love each other; and I think we were doing it for each other. It’s just amazing, having this bond with the kind of people that you love and cherish and getting to practice and seeing everyone’s face is the highlight of my day. Being able to get in this game, the final game of the season, that’s what we wanted to do because we wanted to spend as much time as we could together. We’ve prepared and we’ve worked so hard. Obviously knowing this is our last game, just keep it simple; we know how to play together.”

Windham defense sent the first three Edward Little batters back to the dugout in the top of the first inning. But in the bottom of the first inning, Windham scored when junior Addison Caiazzo tripled for Windham and was followed by a single by Jarvais scoring Caiazzo. Junior Oakley McLeod reached first base and when freshman Yani Kostopoulos doubled, McLeod scored.

Windham would eventually put runs on the scoreboard in every inning but the fourth and fifth.

In the third inning, senior Kennedy Kimball reached first base following an error. McLeod singled and Kostopoulos singled. Sophomore pinch runner Abhilasha Jain scored. Later in the inning, McLeod scored on a passed ball, as did Kostopoulos.

Kimball had 11 strikeouts, no walks and no errors in the game and she only allowed three hits. She threw 84 pitches, 63 of which were strikes.

In the sixth inning, Windham senior Chloe Edwards singled and Jarvais grounded out, scoring Edwards.

“Our main goal for today was communication and keep talking to each other ... that was a big key for us”, said Caiazzo. “Once you get quiet your mind starts to wander, so just talking to everyone, talking on every pitch, kept us in the game. It feels amazing; I’m so blessed that we have the seniors we have this year – so thankful, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

In the top of the seventh inning, Windham was three outs away from another state title and recorded a strikeout, a fly out before allowing several singles. A final strikeout started the championship celebration for Windham.

“Surreal (to win a second state championship in three years),” said Windham varsity softball coach Darcey Gardiner. “I never thought taking this job I would have the caliber of athletes that I have. I can’t say enough about this team. They show up to work ... to get better and they show up every day to compete. This is where they want to be. They want to be playing the last game every year, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team. 17 girls in that dugout today, we don’t win it without one through 17 supporting us all.”

Gardiner said a lot of practice and preparation led to the victory. Their biggest focus was the change in pitchers it expected to face. The team had been prepared for a while to face Cheverus’ Addison DeRoche and now they had to turn the page and face a pitcher who wasn’t her. The coach said having pitchers like Lydia Marden, Lacie Higgins, Abhilasha Jain made their offense better by pitching to WHS batters during practice. She said the championship game wasn’t just won on Saturday, rather it was won throughout practice all week long. <

Windham softball wins second Class A Regional Championship in three years

By Matt Pascarella

Second-ranked Windham varsity softball made program history again when it won its second regional title in recent years, ousting top-ranked Cheverus at Saint Joseph’s College on Tuesday, June 17. Cheverus had beaten Windham twice in the regular season, but Windham came in ready to go and sent the Stags packing 1-0 as the Lady Eagles advanced to the Class A State Championship.

Windham Senior Chloe Edwards slides into home plate to
score Windham's winning run in the Class A Regional
Championship Game against Cheverus at Saint Jospeh's
College on Tuesday, June 17.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“It felt like we deserved it; it was a team win; we came here as a team and that’s how we executed it was together,” said Windham senior Chloe Edwards, who scored Windham’s winning run. “I saw that the ball was in the air, I had a good lead on it, and I had to go. It went past her, and I went.”

Windham defense only allowed four Cheverus hits. Windham senior pitcher Kennedy Kimball struck out eight and only walked two; she threw 69 strikes out of 98 pitches.

Cheverus loaded up the bases in the first inning, with one out; strong pitching by Kimball, plus stellar Windham defense left those bases loaded as they ended the inning.

Windham was able to get the bats going in the second inning when junior Nola Bryant doubled to left center field.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third inning. Windham loaded up the bases when Edwards walked, junior Addison Caiazzo singled and senior Stella Jarvais singled. A hit from Kimball to center was a fly-out, and Edwards didn’t tag up to score. She corrected the mistake on a passed ball and crossed home plate for the only run of the game.

“It definitely helped us that we’ve seen (Cheverus pitcher) Addison (DeRoche) for two games, that was a bonus for us,” said Windham varsity head coach Darcey Gardiner. “They stayed together and constantly played together and that’s why in moments like the first inning (Cheverus) bases loaded, seventh inning runner on – we talk about give and not break, that’s the composure that we want our girls to have, and it was awesome to see them show up with it and act like we’ve been here before.”

While Cheverus shut down Windham in a few innings, Windham returned the favor and never let them cross the plate.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, a walk put a Cheverus runner on first base with one out. Kimball struck out one and then a ground out ended the game.

“We had timely hits when we had runners in scoring position,” said Kimball. “We had good at-bats and were able to get more people on base than we had before, which was good. We did well in the field, we made all our plays in the infield and that was nice.”

In preparation for the state championship, Kimball said they need to make sure the team stays healthy and to brush up on any mistakes the coaches might have noticed during this game.

“As much as you say there’s not nerves, there always is,” said Gardiner. “If we keep communicating, that helps settle our nerves. We say in the dugout ‘stay within ourselves.’ Going into that seventh inning we said, ‘it’s a 0-0 ballgame, let’s keep playing like it’s a 0-0 ballgame.’ It goes back to us having composure with baserunners on. We can give a little without breaking and that’s exactly what we did today. It’s very hard to break this team.”<

Windham boy’s lacrosse falls in playoff quarterfinals

By Matt Pascarella

Fourth-ranked Windham boys’ lacrosse came into their Class A quarterfinal with fifth-ranked Cape Elizabeth ready to get the win at Windham on Friday, June 13. Unfortunately, Cape took control early and kept a commanding lead for most of the game. Windham stuck with it, but Cape Elizabeth defense was intense. The Eagles lost 14-3 after 48 minutes.

Windham junior Garrett Winslow watches as his shot heads 
for the net and into the goal against Cape Elizabeth in
the Class A boys' lacrosse quarterfinal playoff game
at Windham High School on Friday, June 13.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“I think our team’s a great team,” said Windham freshman Liam Reinbold, who scored a goal for Windham in the second half. “We came into this, we had a lot of practice, and we were all positive, it just didn’t go our way. I think we planned for the right things, just unfortunate turns; Cape is a solid team. We knew it was going to be hard ... we got to work harder in the offseason, and we’re going to beat them next (time). They came out of the gate strong, but offensively we looked great; we got our opportunities. It’s just how it fell. I love these boys, we came together, and we had some tough games, it was a great season. We’re going to come back stronger and stronger and hopefully win it all.”

Despite Windham’s intensity on the field, Cape Elizabeth jumped to an early lead and scored six times in the first quarter.

In the second quarter Windham junior Garrett Winslow scored. He scored again before the end of the first half.

Windham continued to take shots at goal, but not much got by.

“We came into this game, we prepared for it all week,” said Winslow. “We knew what we needed to do, who we needed to guard, who we needed to lock off. We did what we needed to do; we just weren’t necessarily awake at the beginning of the game. It started off super slow and then we got a couple man-ups, which helped us out, got some momentum from that and then it really started to unravel when we all started to put our heads down. Not necessarily giving up, but we already played this team once and it went the same way. In a sense we were all trying to still comeback – we’ve come back in plenty of games this year. We kept putting each other up, we weren’t arguing; it was a team game for sure. Some things didn’t go our way. We were doing anything we can to get a shot off.”

In the second half, Windham sophomore goalie Zachary Gagne had several nice stops.

Windham defense was able to slow down Cape Elizabeth’s offense a bit and they scored less in the second half than the first.

In the fourth quarter, Reinbold scored.

“The mindset going in was, do the things we need to do,” said Windham boys’ lacrosse coach Peter Small. “Focus on our things; we know what we think they’re going to try to do, we just have to then play it as best we can. At the end of the first quarter, they were still of that mindset ‘just one goal at a time’ ... and even at halftime they recognized the mountain has gotten bigger, but you can’t think about the mountain you have to take it one at a time and Windham is very good at that. I think Windham elevated their character over the season; they took what we did last year and built on it and worked together as a team. The seniors will be dearly missed – they helped lead this foundation of who we are. We’re going to carry that tradition on for them.”

Windham senior Levi Hayman said this season meant so much to him because of the team’s chemistry.

According to Windham senior Cole Heanssler, this season was all about how well Windham worked together and drove to be the best they could possibly be. The team this year has definitely been the most connected group that he’s been a part of during his lacrosse career; the team was great at putting in the work, and it showed during the season.<

Windham track team unstoppable in State Championship meet

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s entire outdoor track and field season was working up to this point all spring as its boys’ and girls’ squads competed against teams from all over the state in the Class A State Championship meet at Lewiston on Tuesday, June 10.

Windham senior Rory Good leaps over a hurdle during the 
Class A Track and Field State Championships at Lewiston
on Tuesday, June 10. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

Windham boys finished fourth with a score of 49 and Windham girls finished 10th with a score of 37.75.

Boys

In the pole vault, Windham senior Carter Engelman became a state champion with a height of 15-feet, a new personal record and a new school record.

“For the last two years at a state meet Carter has not met his expectations in a heartbreaking way as being able to come and perform,” said Windham pole vault coach Jeff Neal. “So, to see him do this, 100 percent huge personal record; it’s all the hard work. I couldn’t be prouder of him, a class act.”

Engelman had been tied with an injured Scarborough pole vaulter. They were given the option to break the tie or be co-champions.

Coach Neal said Engelman was steadily improving and probably could have beat him. Engelman said he would not beat an injured guy, showing in addition to skill, class and sportsmanship.

“It feels good; I feel like I’ve earned it, I’ve had a lot of help,” Engelman. “Track is one of those things where everything builds on each other. I just wanted to perform to the best of my ability and not have regrets about how I performed.”

Engelman was also the 110-hurdles state champion with a time of 14.72 seconds. Right behind him was Windham senior Rory Good with a 14. 85 time, a personal record.

Good finished second in the 300-hurdles with a 39.98 time.

In the 200-dash senior Karl Longstreth finished fifth with a time of 22.53.

Windham’s 4x100 relay team placed fourth with a 43.98 time.

“I think we’ve been really excited,” said Windham boys’ coach Paula Pock. “We’ve been working hard up until this point and to see them pull it all together – Carter and Rory in the 110, Rory had a huge personal record, he took almost two seconds off from what he did last year. I think it’s been a strong day.”

Girls

Windham senior Marina Schwarz finished second in the shotput with a distance of 35-6.5. She also finished fourth in the discus with a massive throw of 107-11.

“As a coach, watching Marina throw in her second full year with so much development was just amazing to see. As a dad, it was very emotional,” said Windham throwing coach William Schwarz.

According to Marina Schwarz it felt really good for her to have such a great throw in the shotput; she went from placing 10th to placing second.

Senior Tayla Pelletier kept moving forward after a fall in the 100-hurdles. She finished second in the 300-hurdles with a 46.33 time and first in the triple jump with a distance of 37-9.25.

“It’s definitely not how I wanted it to go,” said Pelletier. “My goal for today was to give it what I’ve got and do everything I can to get the best marks at the end of the day. After the fall ... was hard. You have to brush it off and focus on the next thing ... getting to change my mindset and getting back into what I know I can do, was my win for the day.”

Junior Addison Shanholtz placed second in the pole vault with a height of 9-0.

Senior Olivia Smith ran 52.58 in the 300-hurdle, a personal record.

“Tayla Pelletier learned the hardest lesson is sport. Her response was her lesson and opportunity at the state championships – pretty amazing response because it was a devastating situation,” said Windham track and field coach Jeff Riddle. What went really well was that we showed up, we were prepared for the situation. Marina ... epic mental game growth, and a massive shotput personal record; very consistent and impressive results at discus. The 4x800 relay team was able to get on the podium (10:40.96-minute time). Our 4x100 team was incredible with their handoffs they worked for two weeks on that and today was super smooth and super great.” <

Windham Middle School baseball savors amazing season

By Matt Pascarella

Windham Middle School’s baseball team had an incredible season, in which they only lost one game. Windham played their final game of the season at Gorham on Thursday, June 5. Windham held a lead for the first half of the game, but Gorham pulled ahead in the end and Windham narrowly lost 8-6 to the Rams. More importantly, this is a great group of young men who skillfully played the game and had a very strong season.

Windham eighth grader Ryan Manning bats against
Gorham during a middle school baseball game on
Thursday, June 5. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“It's a team effort, and we would not have been 6-1-1 without the contributions from everyone,” said WMS baseball coach Charlie Reiniger. “We’re aggressive on the bases, everybody can hit, but everybody contributed. Our pitching was really good ... our baserunning was huge – I mean everything was absolutely outstanding; these guys were dominant all year. These guys worked so hard at practice every day, this was unbelievable; I’m so happy I took this job, a great decision for me to come to Windham for sure. I loved coaching these guys this year.”

Reiniger, a 2024 Cheverus High School graduate, was new to Windham baseball this season. He said to the parents of the players that he may have learned more from his players than they learned from him. He said that he learned it takes a community, a family, to build success. He wants to thank his assistant coaches Bryan Harvie and Ralph Gallagher for their hard work this season. He’d also like to thank the parents; whether the game was home or away the Windham section was always filled with supporters, cheering on their team.

Windham started their season with an 8-4 win against Scarborough, tied Southern Maine Catholic 6-6, got by Bonny Eagle 12-9 – in which all 12 runs were scored in the first inning. Windham creamed Lincoln 20-4 and Moore 14-2. They sent Lewiston packing 9-3 and knocked down South Portland, 10-4. Collectively, the team had 70 hits and scored 85 runs.

“I think we played as a team, we never got down on each other,” said Windham eighth grader Brady Legere. “During the season, we hit the ball well, I think that was a big factor we were always putting up runs early in the game. In the future (we can remember) that we lost one game in our whole entire eighth grade season and going up to high school, that’s a big thing to have.”

Windham eighth grader Riley Gallagher said they stayed together, even if they were down. They played good defense too, if they needed stops; they hit the ball, got runs as they needed them. Gallagher said they will be able to keep this team together as they go into high school and it feels good knowing that they’ll have a majority of this team for four more years.

As Reiniger looks ahead to next season, he has a great group of seventh graders who are talented and will spend their time growing and getting better at the game during the off season. He will miss his eighth graders but wishes them nothing but success in the future. Reiniger said that Windham varsity baseball coach Chris Doughty has a solid group of players who can contribute greatly next year. <

WHS girls’ lacrosse star reaches major milestone with 200th goal

By Matt Pascarella

Windham junior Abby Trainor made Windham High School varsity girls’ lacrosse history when she became the first player ever to score 200 career goals at Windham High on Tuesday, June 3 in a game against Gorham. She was only two goals away from this monumental achievement and reached her 200th goal in the first quarter. The Lady Eagles won this game 16-6; Trainor scored six goals and along with several other teammates helped earn Windham its 12th consecutive win.

Windham junior Abby Trainor, center between both signs, 
celebrates with her teammates after she scored her 200th
career lacrosse goal at Windham High School on Tuesday,
June 3 against Gorham. PHOTO NY MATT PASCARELLA 

“I think the stats just come as the season goes on,” said Trainor. “The more we progress it’s just so easy for the ball to get in my stick because there are so many teammates and almost all of our goals are assisted, and that’s why the 200th goal stat was reached so much earlier than most other teams. It felt amazing especially on an eight-meter penalty shot; there’s the intensity ... and once I heard the ping (of the ball hitting the goalpost and going in) all of my teammates jumped up and I kind of got excited; inside I know that my team supports me and the fans and everyone from Windham – everyone supports each other. That’s why it felt so good because everyone was around me.”

According to Trainor, to reach this point in her athletic career took a lot of hard work, on and off the field in the summer and fall. It also helps that the team is closeknit and spends time together outside of the season, which only makes them stronger and builds up their chemistry – which is why they have been so successful this season.

Trainor scored her 199th goal in less than the first minute of play. Shortly before the end of the first quarter, Trainor scored goal 200 on a penalty shot.

“(Abby hitting this milestone as a junior) is incredible,” said Windham varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “Our program has been around 15 years, give-or-take, we’ve never had anyone over 150 goals and she’s a junior, so that’s pretty incredible. She works so hard on the ride, she causes turnovers. If you watch our ride, she and Morgan and the rest of them, they work their tails off and Abby’s steering that like ‘push, push, push, get the ball back, get the ball back.’ She’s so good in there which raises us at that level. The other thing about her game is she and Neve and Grace have elevated everyone around them. We have kids who weren’t varsity players last year who are scoring, and they’re scoring from all different areas and different players and it’s just unselfish play – if it’s there I’ll score, if I can pass, I’ll pass. That unselfish attitude has been so huge for this team.”

Roughly a year ago, Trainor achieved her 100th career goal. After this, Trainor did not set out to achieve another 100 goals. She credited her teammates for making it so easy for her to score.

“Abby is such a fun player to work with, I’ve played with her since middle school,” said Windham senior and teammate Grace Joly. “I’ve learned so much from her, everybody looks up to her on the team and she contributes so much on the field. She’s always setting everyone else up and also taking the best drives for herself. She’s so talented and I can’t wait to see where she goes ... I’m so sad I’m going to miss her next year when I’m not here. It’s just an incredible accomplishment.”

Trainor’s goals for the future are to help Windham win a state championship.

“That would be better than any personal accolade ever,” said Trainor. <