Hard to believe but the return of the high school soccer season is near. The big news for Wiscasset Middle High School is the Wolverine boys are returning to class C competition. The girls will remain in Class D.

The change came after WMHS opened up its soccer program to players from Boothbay Region High School. Wiscasset competed at class C for many years before the high school’s declining enrollment dropped the team to D in 2017.

Friday night, the Wolverine girls scrimmaged and lost 5-0 to class D Temple Academy of Waterville. Before we get to that game, let’s roll the clock back to Saturday, Aug. 18, when the team took part in the annual “Kickoff Classic Tournament” hosted by Richmond High School. WMHS was among 10 high schools taking part in the round robin competition that had 25-minute games.

The Wolverines, coached by Duane Goud, assisted by Todd Souza, took the field against Winslow, Lincoln Academy, Richmond and Hall-Dale. Wiscasset looked pretty solid defensively but scoring goals proved to be a problem. They were shut out in every game except the last one against Hall-Dale when they lost 2-1. Sophomore Gwen Webber, a starter from last year’s team, scored the team’s only goal. Other high schools taking part included Gardiner, Madison, Oceanside and Winthrop.

In Friday night’s game with Temple,the two teams played four, 20-minute periods.

Wiscasset got off to a fast start, with the Wolverines recording the first shot. It came from Alyssa Bassett on a nice cross pass from the right side, but the Temple goalie was there for the stop. Later in the first quarter, the Wolverines were whistled for an infraction just outside the penalty area. Hannah Hubbard’s shot deflected off the cross bar and was alertly cleared away by Wiscasset’s defense. About a minute later, Hubbard scored to put the Bereans up 1-0.

That was it for scoring until Hubbard booted in a direct kick with 1:23 left in the third quarter. Temple then added three more goals in the fourth quarter. Julianna Hubbard, Hannah’s sister, converted a penalty kick after Wiscasset was whistled for a handball. Ella Baker then added a pair of unassisted goals in the final three minutes of play.

Wiscasset's best scoring opportunity came off a corner kick late in the third quarter. With 20 ticks left on the clock, Gwen Webber booted the ball to the goalmouth. Eliza Paradis was there but pushed the ball just wide of the net.

Wolverine goalie Lily Souza finished with eight saves. Sydnie Thayer, Wiscasset's lone senior on the team, played a solid game in the backfield. The Wolverines had eight players missing from Friday’s game.

The Wolverine girls will play one more scrimmage game at Richmond on Tuesday Aug. 28. They’ll host Hall-Dale at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4.