Rivalries Set Aside: All-Star Soccer Matches Raise Funds for Special Olympics Maine

YARMOUTH — For one evening, the boundaries between competing towns dissolved on the soccer pitch.

Two all-star games brought together athletes from the Western Maine Conference and the Southwestern Maine Activities Association at Yarmouth High School on Wednesday, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Maine. The unusual matchups produced their share of memorable moments, including a particularly noteworthy assist that crossed traditional rival lines.

Freeport's Dylan Meinert found Yarmouth's Lucas Hayner for a late first-half goal in the boys game — a play that would have been unthinkable during the regular season.

"Mixed emotions," Meinert said with a laugh. "Yeah, definitely not something you see every day, but it's definitely cool to be able to play with people from rivaling towns and build a connection with them."

Hayner, the 2025 WMC Player of the Year, said the cause gave both teams extra motivation.

"We definitely came out early, strong, we were ready to play," Hayner said. "And yeah, I think just the Special Olympics gave us also motivation … we're playing for a reason, inclusivity, and yeah, we wanted to play together today."

The WMC boys claimed victory in that contest, winning 5-2. Beyond Meinert's goal and assist, Noah Dugan of Freeport, Zacarias Binda of Yarmouth, and Connor Skillin of Greely also found the net.

Meinert acknowledged that adjusting to unfamiliar teammates presented challenges.

"Coming out … don't really know what the other players are like, sort of just coming into it blind, playing with people you've never played with," he said. "So definitely a learning experience, but it's super nice to get to know the other players and people that you compete against during the regular season and then coming out and playing with them."

The girls game proved equally competitive, with the SMAA prevailing 5-3. Kennebunk girls soccer coach Josh Viola appreciated the spirit of the match.

"Supports a good cause, the girls had fun, we had fun," Viola said. "Not super competitive. It was a good time. It was fun to coach a game like that."

Windham's Marley Jarvais, the 2025 SMAA Girls Soccer Forward of the Year, picked up where she left off from the fall season, scoring in the first half.

"Most of us girls have played travel soccer together, so it's kind of like we get on the field and it's just combos," Jarvais said. "And we all have chemistry, so it's really cool playing one last time with all these underclassmen and seniors."

Jarvais has competed alongside some SMAA teammates since her freshman year, and with teammate Taytum Lauziere of Bonny Eagle since elementary school. She will continue her soccer career at Southern New Hampshire University.

"It's kind of a surreal feeling, knowing that (high school soccer is) coming to an end, but I can continue on," Jarvais said. "But I'm glad I got to play one last soccer game with all these amazing players."

Westbrook's Ava Bolden, Thornton Academy's Harlow O'Leary, and Bonny Eagle's Elizabeth Hamilton joined Lauziere in scoring for the SMAA girls.