Girls Soccer Quarterfinals

The soccer quarterfinals kick off today with the vast majority of the girls games, but we've already had some drama over the weekend.

If you're going to drive 224 miles each way, you might as well bring back a W. That's the good news. The bad news is they've got to go 214 miles each way to play #3 Erskine today.

But just how likely is it that Presque Isle can come away with another win? Can run the table from the 11 seed? Maybe!

Thanks to the updated Gold Ball Odds, you can see the odds that every team wins it all and their chances to make each round.

It looks different on the website and this is absolutely a Varsity level page (i.e. $$$).

Fall Gold Ball Odds

What are the odds your team can win it all?

Maine Basketball RankingsLucas McNelly

Every basketball season, I do a fun exercise before the tourney starts where I pick against the Model and try to find the Cinderella in each region. I get a lot of them wrong, naturally, but I also get some right. And people yell at me!

In today's new episode of the podcast, I went through all the girls regions (boys tomorrow).

This is audio-only because you do not need to see my hair right now.

Check it out.

Or, on Apple Podcasts.

There's news out of Lisbon.

You never want to hear them use the term "culture of hazing" because nothing good comes from that.

Investigators find a ‘culture of hazing’ on Lisbon High School football team

The hazing has included players whipping one another with leather belts, at least once until bruising occurred, and at least one incident of a freshman student being hit headfirst into a trash can, a report found.

Press HeraldDaniel KoolPress Herald

You can read the entire report. It's not pretty, although I will say some of the rumors floating around on social media are worse.

Lisbon HS Investigation | PDF

Hazing investigation

ScribdMaine Trust For Local News

Lisbon is looking at a 2 year ban from the MPA. By rule, if you can't finish your season, you're given 2 years off to get your...stuff...together. They can appeal, under extenuating circumstances. I have zero inside information on this, but I can't imagine that appeal will be successful. Extenuating circumstances tend to be, "hey, we've run out of offensive linemen" or there's some other situation outside of anyone's control where you have to cancel games. Not "we had a culture of hazing and word got out." I'd be shocked if they play next year.

Also. Kids, this stuff is always a terrible idea. It was a terrible idea in the 90's when no one had a video camera in their pocket and it's a much, much worse idea in 2024. Be smart!

The legendary Larry Mahoney was inducted into the Maine Press Association's HOF.

As Cooper Flagg continues to turn heads around the basketball world, ESPN is asking the question.

The battle-tested fifth-year senior or the uber-talented freshman? Proven college production and All-American accolades or potential ceiling and the projected No. 1 draft pick? Davis or Flagg, who is ESPN's No. 1 men's college basketball player?

I know who has my vote.

The 100 best men’s players entering the new season

After a lot of number-crunching -- and a legit debate for the No. 1 spot -- these are the names to watch as the 2024-25 season begins.

ESPNClose

Everyone in New England knew this was going to happen.

Game of the Day

The Game of the Day is actually a Field Hockey game. And it's a 1/8 field hockey game? Ok...

But there's a lot of options. There's a 4/5 girls soccer game between Falmouth and Cheverus and one between Winslow and Bapst. Or maybe Hermon/Ellsworth is more your speed.

Regardless, it should be a fun day of games.

The Model's picks for all of today's quarterfinal action are after the jump.