HUSTLE PAYS OFF — Fryeburg Academy's Nicolaus Mauer heads the ball past a North Yarmouth Academy defender, enabling him to break free and get off a goal-scoring shot during Saturday's 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Panthers. (Rivet Photo)

BOYS' SOCCER

A brisk wind proved to be Nicolaus Mauer’s best friend Saturday.

Mauer sailed a shot over the North Yarmouth Academy goalie’s head to tie the game at 1-1, and midway through the second half launched a shot from the right side that caught a gust and found the far corner for the game winner in a 2-1 victory over the Panthers.

Mauer’s hustle set up the game winner as he took a long ball struck from the midfield, headed it past a NYA defender, and used his speed to get enough time to strike a shot.

After falling behind 1-0, the Raiders picked up their intensity at both ends of the field. Goalie Paul Dostie made a big stop late in the first half, leaping high to deflect a shot just over the cross bar.

The victory improved FA’s record to 2-2-1, moving them into the ninth spot (a playoff berth) in the Heal Ratings released on Tuesday.

In other action, Josh Rounds scored from Hideaki Nakamura with 1:19 remaining in the second overtime last Thursday to give Fryeburg Academy a 1-0 win over Sacopee Valley. Goalie Paul Dostie made eight saves to record the shutout for Fryeburg.

Up next: The Raiders travel to Kittery on Friday to play Traip Academy at 4 p.m. FA hosts Lake Region next Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m.

LOCKED UP — Fryeburg Academy's Christian DeMiranda (right) is locked up with a North Yarmouth Academy player while trying to control the ball down the sideline during Saturday's varsity boys' soccer game. Following the play is Raider Gabe Perry. (Rivet Photo)

GIRLS' SOCCER

In a game which neither team could mount consistent scoring threats, a late “break” ultimately decided the outcome between the Raiders and Sacopee Valley last week.

Hawk Courtney Minuitti split two defenders on a through ball and bounced a drive to the right post for the game’s only goal as the Raiders fell 1-0.

FA goalie Elle Burbank got a late jump on the shot, and was unable to track the roller down. Burbank finished with nine saves as the Raiders fell to 0-5.

Fryeburg had a golden scoring chance late in the game when a corner kick sailed toward the Hawk net and was deflected by Raider freshman Oriango Inirio. Unfortunately, the shot sailed right at Hawk goalie Emily Colbert, who recorded 12 saves on the afternoon. Sacopee improved to 2-2-1.

FA Coach John Atwood will continue to juggle his lineup in hopes of finding the right combinations to increase his club’s offense.

Up next: The Raiders host Traip Academy this Friday at 4 p.m. FA then travels to Lake Region next Wednesday, Sept. 26 for a 6 p.m. contest.

FIELD HOCKEY

Skye Dole scored twice as the Raiders defeated Greely 3-1 in Cumberland last week. Ellen Bacchiocchi also scored for the Raiders.

Fryeburg improved to 6-0. The Raiders are presently third in the Heal Ratings — behind Spruce Mountain and Lake Region — released on Wednesday following a 2-1 victory over sixth-ranked Falmouth (3-3). Skye Dole scored from Christina DiPietro with 16:51 left to give the Raiders the victory.

Ellen Bacchiocchi put Fryeburg ahead with 19 seconds left in the first half. Jillian Rothweiler pulled the Yachtsmen even 5:13 into the second half. Sage Antolin made five saves for Fryeburg, while Hillary Nash made six stops for Falmouth.

Up next: The Raiders host Cape Elizabeth (3-3) on Saturday at 3 p.m. Then, the Raiders host fourth-ranked Lake Region on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

GOLF

The Raiders hold a 5-6 record, but a point here or there, and FA Coach Chris Dutton believes his club could easily be 8-3.

“The team is playing quite well right now. Three of our six losses have gone to the tie-breaker point, which is determined by team score in the match. Our record could be as high as 8-3, so we have been close,” Coach Dutton said. “The nicest surprise is that we have had nine different players on the roster earn at least a point in a match this season (during a match only six golfers compete), so it shows we have a little depth to step in and be productive.”

Andrew Berg leads the team in points with seven playing out of the #2 spot and Ben Bailey, playing as the Raiders’ #1, is second on the team earning 4 1/2 points.

Four players are tied with four points each including newcomer Trevor Henschel (sophomore) and fellow sophomores Mike Davis and “Big” Van Nguyen. Senior “Little” Van Nguyen also has tallied 4 points, while Cody Smith has earned 3 points despite battling an injured back for most of the season.

Fryeburg has three remaining matches starting with Waynflete. FA was scheduled to host Gray-New Gloucester yesterday, Sept. 19, and close out the regular season with a trip to Bridgton Highlands to face Lake Region next Thursday, Sept. 27.

On Monday, Sept. 24, the FA girls head to the qualifier at Willowdale Golf Club to see if they can qualify for the Individual State championship in October. The Raiders will send all three of last year’s qualifiers — Liz Dyer and the Nguyen sisters.

“This is early for the qualifier so we have little time for preparation, but will spend time this week at Willowdale playing the course to get familiar to it yet again,” Coach Dutton said. “I’d like to see all three get back to the States. I know all three of them are excited to compete and see if that can happen again.”

The boys’ qualifier is Oct. 2 so the Raiders will piece together the team for that event, Coach Dutton said.

“Overall we look to close on a high note. I am pleased with the progress of the team, which two years ago didn’t win a match and have won nine since,” Coach Dutton said. “We are high in numbers this year with 18 total present with seven to eight freshmen and sophomores alone, so youth is there to get ready to step into the lineup next year and beyond to continue the success we have been having.”

CROSS COUNTRY

Bill Reilly figured this past week’s meet was a good measuring stick where his Raider boys’ team is.

Fryeburg beat Freeport, 47-59

But, Falmouth is a team the Raiders will continue to chase as the Yachtsmen won the 5K run at Pownal Road Recreation Field in Freeport with 24 points — taking positions 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

“We took care of Freeport, but Falmouth is probably the best team in the state — all classes — right now. We need to put some of our runners ahead of the #2 runner from Falmouth,” Coach Reilly said. “It is six weeks until the State Meet, but we have time to get faster. Our teams always improve as the season progresses.”

Senior Silas Eastman was the clear winner with a time of 16 minutes, 4.65 seconds. Falmouth sophomore Bryce Murdick was second in 17:09.87.

Fryeburg finishers were:

8. Logan Gerchman, 18:02.95

9. Thomas Rose, 18:09.88

14. Eric Hannes, 18:20.96

19. Patrick Carty, 18:36.09

23. Liuke Yang, 18:55.16

27. Jonathan Burk, 19:08.19

29. Liam LeConey, 19:24.68

35. Kyle Barboza, 19:42.54

46. Tyler O’Keefe, 20:55.42

52. Sullivan Briggs, 21:54.71

61. David Powers, 23:26.90

71. Reed Wales, 26:38.04

(There were 76 finishers.)

This Saturday, the Raiders travel to the Manchester Invitational in New Hampshire for a “big time” New England meet.

“The team will take the line with some 300 runners and it will be a good crucible of experience for the boys,” Coach Reilly said. “The top seven from last week’s meet will run varsity while the remainder will run in the JV race.”

On the girls’ side, the Raiders competed without Liz Grzyb, who was sidelined due to illness.

Fryeburg placed third in the meet with 85 points, behind Falmouth (19) and Freeport (40).

Falmouth junior Madeline Roberts won the 5K with a time of 20:25.70. Abby Davis was the first Raider in 24:33.27 for 24th place. Up next was Ariel Fogden in 24:33.56 for 25th and Juliet Fink in 24:39.25 for 26th place. Kylie Jolicoeur was 39th in 29:04.47, Emily Powers 41st in 34:00.80 and Jane Imdieka-King was 43rd in 34:09.56.

Up next: The next league meet is Friday, Sept. 28 at Lake Region against the Lakers and Sacopee Valley. Boys at 4:30 p.m. and girls at 5 p.m.