High schools Tuesday: Thornton boys soccer survives a test
Maine high‑school teams edge through quarterfinals, setting the stage for Saturday’s semifinals
In a flurry of late‑night action that stretched from Saco to Yarmouth, 11 Maine high‑school soccer and field‑hockey teams secured victories in their quarterfinal matches and advanced to the next round of the state playoffs. The games—held Tuesday night and into Wednesday—featured a mix of razor‑thin contests, dominant performances, and dramatic penalty‑shootout finishes, all under the bright lights of their home arenas and fields.
Boys soccer
Thornton Academy 1–0 Marshwood (Class A South)
In Saco, the top‑seeded Thornton Academy used a single goal to keep its playoff hopes alive. Precieux Mbolela rose above the defense after a corner delivered by Matthias Sunderland and finished from the edge of the box. Thornton (12‑1‑2) held off ninth‑seed Marshwood (7‑6‑3) with a clean sheet, while goalkeeper Lucas Stolf made five key stops. Marshwood’s Jack Eardley faced 12 shots and kept the score close until the 32‑minute mark of the second half. The win puts Thornton into a matchup with the winner of Wednesday’s Deering‑South Portland game, with Deering seeded fifth and South Portland fourth.
Pine Tree Academy 5–0 Rangeley (Class A South)
Freeport hosted a decisive 8‑team showdown in which top‑seeded Pine Tree Academy (13‑0) overwhelmed eighth‑seeded Rangeley (3‑8‑1). Fitzroy Hakizimana led the way with two goals and an assist, while Lucky Kabeya and Camden Brace each contributed a goal and an assist. The Breakers’ 5‑0 margin reflects a season of dominance and keeps them firmly on the top of the standings.
Lewiston 3–1 Bangor (Class A North)
The No. 1 team in the state, Lewiston (14‑1), proved its superiority in a 3‑1 win over the eighth‑seeded Bangor Rams (4‑9‑2). Abdirauf Hersi opened the scoring in the first half and added a second near the end of the game, while Nathan Dimandja gave the Blue Devils a 2‑0 advantage at halftime. Bangor cut the deficit early in the second period, but Hersi’s late goal sealed the victory. Lewiston now awaits the winner of Wednesday’s Hampden Academy‑Camden Hills matchup for the semifinal.
Girls soccer
Freeport 1–0 Lincoln Academy (Class B South)
Freeport’s Falcons (11‑4), the fourth‑seeded team, held on for a clean sheet against the fifth‑seeded Lincoln Academy Eagles (9‑5‑1). Keeley Furtney’s 40‑yard direct kick caught the goalie off‑guard, securing a narrow win and a spot in the showdown against either Cape Elizabeth (No. 1) or Morse (No. 8).
Greely 6–2 Poland (Class B South)
Greely (8‑5‑2) turned a potential own‑goal into a first‑half advantage and then doubled the lead. Victoria Zandan netted two goals early and added a third in the second half. Poland’s Phoebe Paradis scored late in the first period, but Greely’s Hannah Hussey, Lydia Berthiaume and Tess Waterhouse added late goals to seal the win. The Rangers’ victory sets up a future clash with the top‑seeded Yarmouth (14‑1).
Hall‑Dale 3–2 North Yarmouth Academy (Class C South)
Hall‑Dale (11‑2‑2), seeded third, staged a comeback against sixth‑seeded North Yarmouth Academy (10‑5). Clare Sturtevant tallied two goals and an assist, while Sophia Murch added another. Delphine Daniels also scored for NYA, but Hall‑Dale’s rally will see them face Maranacook (second seed) next.
Maranacook 2–0 Waynflete (Class C South)
Black Bears (14‑1) capped a perfect season with a 2‑0 win over
