The Stags, who were dominant last fall before losing by a goal in the state title game, are eager to rebound with another strong season.

Maine is one of only two states that require face protection since the sport's national governing body made it optional in 2020.

In a rare underdog role, the River Hawks beat a Cheverus powerhouse that had won the Class A title against Skowhegan a year earlier.

Hemond is set to attend Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts this fall.

The sharp-shooting sophomore was the state's best offensive player, and the centerpiece of its highest-scoring team.

Two sophomores and two juniors make our squad of the best high school players in the state.

Thornton Academy's Lori Smith, Massabesic's Michele Martin-Moore and Portland/Deering's Beth Arsenault each coached for more than 20 seasons.

The versatile midfielder scored 10 goals and added 32 assists while leading the Bulldogs to the Class B title.

Belle Hemond will play for Division II Assumption College while Mia Rineer will play for Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania.

The River Hawks score two goals in the fourth quarter to avenge a loss to Cheverus in last year's state championship game.

Maddie Niles scores the only goal as the Bulldogs win their first state championship.

Saturday's rematch of the 2021 state championship game has been highly anticipated, but coaches and players on both teams insist they've kept their focus in the moment all season.

Lucy Johnson scores four goals in a 6-0 win as the reigning state champs advance to a rematch against Skowhegan.

Ramblers senior scores the game's only goal late in the second overtime period, sending the defending Class C champions back to the state title game.

Anna Maschino finally breaks a scoreless stalemate, giving the Falcons their first Class B South title and their first trip to a state championship game in 22 years.

The regional championships include a showdown of unbeatens in Class A South girls' soccer and a rivalry game in Class B South boys' soccer.

River Hawks break open close game en route to reaching Class A North final.

The Eagles set up an unexpected semifinal against Gorham by rallying past the Red Storm in a Class A South quarterfinal.

Abby Dickson scored three goals for the Wildcats, who are eager to go on a deep run after falling short last year.

Lydia Hiltz scores with 4.4 seconds remaining in the second extra session to give the Eagles a 2-1 win.

Girls' soccer: The fifth-seeded Wildcats oust the No. 4 Rangers in a Class B South quarterfinal.

Brooke Farquhar scores the winning goal, avenging a double-overtime loss in last year's Class A South quarterfinal.

Laura Mockler scores two goals in the Greyhounds' 4-0 victory over the Seahawks at Lewiston High School.

Khianna Jackson of Biddeford, Zoey Pennell of Thornton, Hope Bouchard of Lawrence and Haley Jane Tuplin of Lisbon are in the running for the award to the state's best senior.

Boys' soccer: The fifth-seeded Red Riots fight off a challenge from No. 12 Cheverus, advancing to the Class A South quarterfinals with a 3-2 win.

Soccer: The Stags move on to the Class A South quarterfinals after a 4-0 win in the prelim round.

Skowhegan (A North), Lawrence (B North) and Winthrop (C South) enter postseason play as No. 1 seeds.

First-year players have filled key roles for some of the best teams in southern Maine as the postseason arrives.

Greyhounds next will play in the MVC championship on Thursday.

Lilliana Larochelle scores twice and freshmen finish with four total goals as the soaring Falcons roll past Gray-New Gloucester, 5-0.

Boys' soccer: Carter Engelman leads the Eagles to a 2-0 victory over Biddeford.

Football: Giovanni Staples throws two TD passes and runs for a touchdown, leading the Blue Blazes to a 27-6 victory.

Girls' soccer: The Red Storm cruise to a 5-0 win over the Hawks in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Lucy Johnson scores four goals and Lily Johnson adds one as the Stags improve to 9-0.

South Portland and Westbrook have joined forces this fall to keep the sport alive at those high schools.

Boys’ soccer: The Red Riots keep their unbeaten record intact, thanks to a Divin Mpinga goal.

Cece Keller's fourth-quarter goal on a penalty stroke lifts the Tigers to a 1-0 victory.

Eddie Caldera scores on a penalty kick to give the Capers a 2-1 win over the Flyers.

Grace Badger scored an unassisted goal in the first half for the Warriors.

Senior forward Grace Gray scores five goals to spur the surging Capers to their fifth straight victory after a 6-0 loss in their season opener.

Senior captain Taylor Tory scores three goals in a span of 80 seconds as the defending state champion Stags cruise to a 9-0 win.

The Rams score twice in the first half to improve to 3-0.

Sophia Chung's second goal of the game – off a corner with 38 seconds left in a second OT – carries the Capers to a 3-2 win.

Girls’ soccer: The Golden Trojans score the final three goals to beat Bonny Eagle, 4-3.

Ellie Szostalo scored twice, while Annie Cunningham and Natalie Miner each scored once in the Rams' 4-2 win.

Boys’ soccer: The Red Storm break through late in the second half to win their season opener, 1-0.

Abby Dickson scores three goals and the Wildcats, despite low numbers, beat the Capers, 6-0.

The Ramblers shut out the Greyhounds in a rematch of last year's Class C South final.

Wells starts its girls' soccer season with a 3-1 victory, and Gray-New Gloucester wins the boys' game, 5-2.

Defending state champion Cheverus is in the spotlight, but plenty of others have title aspirations.