Summer speculation had Cody Zane transferring to NYA for athletic purposes, and whispers of the “R-word” were even abound - recruiting, a problem that plagues any private school’s athletic program. (In regards to recruiting, the problem with that argument is that you rarely ever see recruiting allegations brought against the private school teams that lose.)

But Paul Betit’s story on Zane and Taylor Gorman - both among the top high school boys soccer players in the state - sets the record straight. Zane saw he could fulfill his academic potential at the Yarmouth school and chose to transfer from Mount View in Thorndike before his senior year.

Zane brings plenty of soccer smarts to the Panthers. Last summer Zane was selected to the Olympic Development Program’s U16 pool team and this past summer was on Coastal Soccer Club’s U-17 team that reached the championship game in the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I championships.

Several of Zane’s Coastal teammates are among the PPH’s “players to watch” this fall, including Gorman, Greely goalie Oliver Blum and Brunswick back Sam Kaplan.

Of quotes and notes ...

Jimmy Velas, former Falmouth standout and 2003-2004 Maine Sunday Telegram boys soccer MVP, set up lone goal in Maine’s 1-0 win over UMass on Friday. Velas’ efforts helped the Black Bears end a 17-game losing streak.

Former Cheverus boys soccer coach Jeff Laniewski has found his way back onto the field. Laniewski officiated the Yarmouth girls soccer team’s 2-0 win at Cape Elizabeth on Tuesday.

Overheard at the Jay-Yarmouth football game, won by the Tigers, 47-0:
“You haven’t beat the spread yet! Let’s go!”

Keep an eye out for the field hockey preview in Thursday’s Press Herald.

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