Chaotic week for Varsity Maine boys soccer poll
Lewiston’s Late‑Game Heroics Catapult Team to Top of Maine Boys Soccer Poll
In a dramatic finish to the second week of the 2026 high‑school boys soccer season, Lewiston High School’s Yussuf Ali headed the Windjammers past Camden Hills with a 3‑2 victory that has moved the team to the number‑one spot in the latest Varsity Maine poll. The win, achieved in the final two minutes of the match, also highlighted the excitement and unpredictability that have become a hallmark of this season’s early contests.
The Game that Changed the Rankings
The match took place on September 8 at Lewiston High School, a venue that has already seen some of the season’s most thrilling moments. Lewiston, which had been ranked fifth in last week’s poll, faced Camden Hills, who had been fighting to break into the top ten. The Windjammers found themselves in a two‑goal deficit early on, but they rallied in the second half. With the score at 2‑2 in the closing minutes, Ali rose above the defense and placed a decisive header that sealed a 3‑2 triumph.
The final score was a 3‑2 win for Lewiston, a result that not only reversed a two‑goal deficit but also shifted the landscape of the state’s boys soccer rankings. The game’s late‑stage drama underscored the depth of competition at the top of the division.
Other Key Matchups of the Week
While Lewiston’s comeback was the headline, other teams also played pivotal roles in reshaping the poll:
- Thornton Academy – The Golden Trojans stunned the former number‑one and reigning Class A champion Scarborough with a 1‑0 victory on Friday. This win moved Thornton from outside the rankings to eighth place.
- Deering – The Rams advanced dramatically from an unranked position to second place after defeating the previous season’s No. 2 team, Gorham. The win also earned Deering the most first‑place votes in the season‑opening poll.
- Yarmouth – The Clippers, who were third last week just two points shy of Gorham, settled for a 0‑0 draw against Greely on Wednesday, keeping them near the top of the standings.
These results illustrate a season where rankings are in constant flux, with several teams making significant leaps and others falling short.
The Updated Varsity Maine Poll
The latest poll, which accounts for all games played before Tuesday, September 15, reflects the week’s dramatic shifts:
| Rank | Team | First‑Place Votes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | 4 | 83 |
| 2 | Deering | — | 63 |
| 2 | Brunswick | 3 | 63 |
| 4 | Yarmouth | 1 | 54 |
| 5 | Gorham | — | 51 |
| 6 | Edward Little | 1 | 41 |
| 7 | Scarborough | — | 31 |
| 8 | Thornton Academy | — | 30 |
| 9 | Greely | — | 16 |
| 10 | Freeport | — | 10 |
| 10 | South Portland | — | 10 |
Additional votes were cast for Camden Hills, John Bapst, Mt. Ararat, Mt. Abram, Hall‑Dale, Mattanawcook, Monmouth Academy, Oceanside, Foxcroft Academy, Leavitt, and Cape Elizabeth, but none of these teams earned enough points to crack the top ten.
The poll’s first‑place vote distribution underscores the competitive nature of the rankings: Lewiston leads with four, Brunswick follows with three, while Yarmouth and Edward Little each received a single vote.
What This Means for the Season
The rapid reshuffling of the rankings signals a highly competitive start to the season. Lewiston’s ability to mount a comeback against Camden Hills shows resilience, while Deering’s victory over Gorham suggests that the Rams are a force to be reckoned with. Thornton Academy’s win over Scarborough indicates that even established programs can be toppled early on.
Fans and coaches alike will watch closely to see whether these shifts represent permanent changes or early-season volatility. With the season still in its infancy, the final standings will likely be far from set.
Looking Ahead
Lewiston will aim to maintain its top spot while preparing for the next round of games that will further test the team’s mettle. Deering, now ranked second, will be looking to build on its momentum and challenge Lewiston’s supremacy. Meanwhile, teams such as Yarmouth and Edward Little will be eager to climb the rankings, and the battle for the top ten is expected to remain intense.
As the season progresses, each match carries the potential to reshape the hierarchy, and the early week’s surprises have already set the tone for an exciting run of high‑school boys soccer in Maine.
