The fall sports season kicked off this weekend and with that comes the Press Herald’s fall sports previews over the course of this week. While we hope it’s comprehensive enough, there are always a few stories that you can’t put into a confined space.

Take Jackie Lorenzen, who will be a sophomore at Windham. Lorenzen emerged as the Eagles’ starting goalie during the Western Class A playoffs; Windham Coach Wally LeBlanc had high hopes this season for Lorenzen and his team, which several coaches have tabbed one of the squads to watch for. However, Lorenzen is recovering after breaking her femur earlier this summer. But there was a complication – a benign bone tumor. LeBlanc called the injury “a freak thing” but said Lorenzen will spend the fall recovering and hopes to rejoin the Eagles later this season.

A few more bits from the notebook:

Expect Thornton Academy to be one of the sleeper teams in Western A. And expect Portland to turn a few heads, as well. The Bulldogs have seven sophomores who got ample playing time last season, and will field a deep team. Kennebunk’s goal, under second-year coach Shannon Corliss, is to earn respect throughout the SMAA. Mt. Ararat, Morse, Waterville and Brunswick should fight for the top spots in Eastern A.

If any team wants to take the next step to success, it’s Scarborough. “But until somebody beats Gorham,” explained Red Storm Coach Michael Farley, “you can’t pick another team.”

Look for the boys soccer preview in Wednesday’s paper.

E-mail this entry to a friend