The fall sports campaign has officially ended for the Cape Elizabeth and South Portland teams, concluding with a series of disappointing results last week—one on the soccer field and two on the Football field.
A broken heart on the ground
In what was a heartbreaking thrill, the Cape Elizabeth girls soccer team came very close to advancing to the state championships.
The Capers, who finished a remarkable 10-1-3 during the regular season and were ranked second in Class B South, began their playoff run with a convincing 4-0 victory over No. 7 Fryeburg Academy, in the quarter-finals. They then managed to get past number 3 Freeport in a thrilling overtime victory, with Addie Miller scoring the decisive goal to secure a 2-1 victory.
However, their luck ran out in the regional final against number one seed Greely. The two teams, who had played to two draws during the regular season, were locked in an intense battle. The Capers struck first when standout Noelle Mallory found the back of the net in the 18th minute, but Greely responded just before halftime. After a scoreless second period, it once again needed overtime, and unfortunately for Cape Elizabeth, Greely’s goal just 6:51 into that period sealed their fate, ending the Capers’ season at 12- 2-3.
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Coach Branden Noltkamper expressed pride despite the loss, saying, “It was a tough pill to swallow, but I couldn’t be more proud of the team and our seniors. We had an incredible season, and Although we did not achieve our ultimate goal, we still made significant progress. We will miss the dedication and leadership of our senior class, especially our captains—CC Duryee, Elena Rosenberg and Campbell DeGeorge. raised the bar for next year’s team.”
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Looking to the future, Noltkamper is optimistic about competing for the title again in 2025, noting: “We have a strong core of returning players, and the message from our seniors has undoubtedly inspired the next group to move forward.”
End of football season in semi-final
On the football front, Cape Elizabeth could hold its head high after a respectable season, despite challenges such as reduced numbers. The Capers managed to split their eight regular season games, finishing second in the Class C South, earning them a bye in the semifinals, where they faced defending champions Leavitt, ranked number 3.
After trailing 14-0 late in the first quarter, the Capers rallied with a one-yard touchdown run from Danny Gray and a 10-yard sprint from Eli Halter, tying the game at 14-14. half time. Although Leavitt regained the lead, Cape kept the pressure on, with Brady Inman connecting with Eli Smith for a 37-yard touchdown pass late in the third period. Unfortunately, the caper missed the extra point, leaving them trailing 21-20 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final moments, Leavitt capitalized on a defensive interception return to seal the game with a 27-20 victory, ending Cape Elizabeth’s season at 4-5.
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Coach Peter Cekutis praised his team’s resilience, saying: “These boys fought hard all season. Even when the odds were against us, they never gave up. Their tenacity is commendable.”
South Portland’s quarterfinal fight
Meanwhile, South Portland, who entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in Class A South, faced a tough challenge against first-ranked and defending champion Thornton Academy in their quarterfinal matchup. . The Red Riots quickly fell behind, falling 7-0 late in the first quarter and 22-0 at halftime. They found their rhythm in the third period, thanks to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Parker Reny to Addison Blais. Reny’s connection with Alex Horton for an 8-yard touchdown score early in the fourth quarter brought South Portland within 10 points, trailing 22-12. However, Thornton Academy’s response with two more touchdowns ensured a final score of 36-12, ending South Portland’s season with a balanced record of 5-5.
New England Cross Country Championship Recap
As the fall sports season concluded, the New England Cross Country Championships took place in Manchester, Connecticut. South Portland’s Evan Small finished with a respectable 160th-place time of 17 minutes, 38 seconds in the men’s event.
The journey may have ended for Cape Elizabeth and South Portland, but their determination and accomplishments throughout the season will be unforgettable. The future looks bright for these determined teams as they look to regroup and come back stronger next year.
