Fall sports are underway, and while it looks different this year with the shortened season, the coaches, parents and athletes are making the best of their situation.
Cross Country
Coach Jason Tanguay said the GHS Cross Country teams have been having a great deal of success over the short fall season they have had thus far. He said, “A great deal of summer running by many of the members of our team in conjunction with guidance from our coaches in this abbreviated season has put our team in a good position.”
The boys’ team has recently been ranked seventh in the state team rankings. Individually, the boys have been led by junior Calvin Cummings and seniors Reed Henderson and Josh Lehmann. Tanguay said proudly, “These young men have been a strong one, two, three punch in each of our meets this year!” Following closely behind this trio is sophomore Lucien Beardsley, and rounding out their top five is sophomore Kieran Wilkins who has stepped up this season to be their last team scorer.
The girls’ team has also seen some great accomplishments and are currently ranked third in the state team rankings. The top individuals have been the duo of junior Elisabeth Loranger and sophomore Rachel Cummings. Not far behind is senior MacKenna Homa. Coach Tanguay said, “Our number four and five runners have jostled a bit over the season. Senior Emily Paruk and freshman Rita Cummings have pushed each other every race thus far.”
With regard to the season Tanguay said, “As I have told our team at each practice and meet, we are grateful for the opportunities we have before us. This team has capitalized on these moments each and every day and that has been exciting to watch!”
Field Hockey
Gorham Field Hockey is currently four to zero with Senior Captain Lydia Gaudreau leading the team with two goals and four assists. Junior Alyvia Caruso has four goals and Senior Captain Molly Murray and Junior Sydney Connolly each have one goal and two assists on the year.
Coach Becky Manson-Rioux said, “We have five games scheduled to play in the season. The team has done a tremendous job adjusting to the adversity of this season which I attribute to their overall success. Their teamwork is what stands out the most on the field and has been another key factor in the four to zero record.”
Golf
Coach Scott Nevers said, “The 2020 golf season was a short, hectic, but fun season. Both Varsity and JV were able to play eight matches.” Varsity finished eight to zero led by Aidan Enck, Bryce Lumbert, Quinn Dillon, Lucas Castles, Sam Farr and Jacob Graham. The team finished first in the SMAA Qualifier on October 2, but unfortunately came up short in the State Championship.
According to Coach Nevers, they had their best season in the scoring department, averaging under 200 as a team per match. “We had four golfers who averaged 40 or better in matches during the season. Quinn Dillon finished tenth overall at the State Championship, while Nicole Walker finished fourth for the Girls’ Division. Dylan Morrell, Taylor Farr, and Patrick Cyr led all JV players and will look to compete on Varsity next year.” The Varsity Golf season ended on October 9.
Boys Soccer
Boys varsity soccer team is undefeated through all competitions and are currently 6-0-2 with wins against Freeport, Deering, Bonny Eagle, Windham, Bonny Eagle, Scarborough. The boys ended with two ties against Scarborough, and Cape Elizabeth. The rest of the schedule includes home against Cheverus on October 22, away at Windham on October 30, away at Falmouth on November 6, and finally a final game with opponents to be determined on November 10.
Coach Nick Viola shared the key offensive players this season are Andrew Farr and Josiah Irish, both with five goals and Matt Phinney with four goals. Key Defensive players (only four goals allowed in eight games) are Garrett Smith, goalkeeper; Grant Nadeau, central defender and Mike Darasz, central defender.
Coach Viola said, “This team has overcome significant adversity throughout this season (pandemic expectations, injuries, scheduling shifts, etc.). They give 100 percent effort every minute of every match regardless of the outcome. They are coachable and are open to constructive criticism, all for the betterment of the team. They’ve earned every positive result they’ve gotten so far. We hope to end the season with all positive results by playing to a standard of excellence, all the time.”
Girls Soccer
Girls varsity soccer is currently 3-1-1 after their win against Bonny Eagle. “We have had three OT games, one win, one tie and a loss, so the team has shown its grit in all games,” Coach Jeanne Zarrilli said. The girls have five seniors and all start and are key to the teams success: Katie Kutzer, Gracie Forgues, Lauren Fotter, Sydney Fox, and Olivia Michaud. They are joined by junior starters Erin Castonguay and Lexi Waterman in the back and Maddie Michaud in the mid. Junior Leah Woodbury and Sophomore Faith Connolly are also making big contributions to the team.
Rachel Gross, junior goalie, has an incredible three shut-outs in five games and has been solid in the net. Two sophomores and the other 12 juniors who round out the team have all contributed key minutes and talents. According to Coach Zarrilli, Kylie Green and Brylee Bishop, both juniors, have come back to the team after COVID-19 exposure and are expected to be key contributors for the remainder of the season which includes games against Cheverus, Portland and Windham. Zarrilli expects her team to be competitive in all of the games.
Football
Coach Andy Hager said his team has been practicing four to five times a week working on football skills and growing their culture with Beck Carrier and Nick Williams being their key players. Hager said “We played Portland on Saturday and had a good day competing against someone else in a passing type joint practice.”
Upcoming 7v7 “games” are against Falmouth on November 13 at home, then the team plays Windham and Deering later in the month. “We also have a couple Lineman/Big Man skills and strongman competitions coming up with Windham.” Coach Hager shared.
Beck Carrier competed and participated in the Maine Football Coaches Association Senior Combine this Past weekend, posting some great times and all around having a good workout.
Volleyball
Coach Emma Tirrell said the team was able to attain two outdoor nets and have been practicing outdoors since September 16. “We are able to practice until lights, so starting Monday we will have those turned on and continue to practice until it gets too cold! Pretty cool stuff,” she shared.
Tirrell said a scrimmage with another school and a celebration of seniors are two things that are still up in the air, and most importantly, they are still hoping for a spring season.