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Caitlin Doherty scored with 10 minutes left in the first half to lead Pingree (5-0-1) over Lexington Christian 1-0.

Kellie Barile made eight saves to record the shutout while Jackie Lee had the assist on Doherty's decisive goal.

Carlos O'Donnell of Salem had no reason to think he'd ever be playing quarterback and kicking field goals for the Pingree School.

To O'Donnell, it was a moot point three years ago because the private school in Hamilton didn't even have a football program. A product of the Salem Youth Soccer program, O'Donnell just assumed he'd play soccer for four years in high school.

Pingree football coach Chris Powers feels he has a "huge weapon" in the kicking game in senior Carlos O'Donnell of Salem, who is also the team's quarterback.

The huge weapon came in handy yesterday as O'Donnell kicked three field goals, including a school record-tying 42-yarder in Pingree's 23-6 season-opening win over Portsmouth Abbey. "He's got a strong leg and we feel comfortable that when he's kicking them from 35 yards out (or closer), it's pretty much automatic," Powers said of O'Donnell. "He gives us a lot of confidence on offense. We get down there and feel we can put points on the board."

Pingree was downed by Nobles 2-0 as Dale Bishop stopped six shots in goal for the Highlanders.

Pingree (1-0) blanked Berwick (0-1) 4-0 to earn their first win. Cara Lemire, Nina Hatch, Caitlin Doherty and Sam Taylor each scored for Pingree.

Last year's record: 11-3-2

Coach: Alan McCoy (19th year)

Returning starters: Jamie Cappucci, Soph. midfield-striker; Michaela Colbert, jr, defender; Caitlin Doherty, Jr. midfield; Katie King, jr, defender; Cara Lemire, sr, midfield-defense; Jackie Lee, sr, striker; Kate Roman, sr, midfield; Sam Taylor, sr, striker; Kellie Barile, sr, keeper.

Every football coach's dream would be having 21 of 22 starters returning. That ideal situation is a reality for Pingree's Chris Powers as his program gears up for its third varsity season.

Pingree went 3-6 last year, its first as a member of the Evergreen League. The Highlanders defeated Dexter School, Providence Country Day and had their best victory (37-18) in a 37-18 season-ending win over Vermont Academy.

Last year's record: 17-2

Coach: Eric Olson (1st season)

Returning players: Ned Siegal, Sr., Def; Nate Leach, Sr., Mid; Jake Barnett, Sr., Def.; Adam Logan, Sr., Def; Winsthon Lopez, Sr., F; Billy Nickerson, Sr., F; Andrew Smealie, Jr., Mid; Dan Guley, Sr., Mid; Amory Parker, Sr., F; Ben MacLaughlin, Sr., F; Lenworth Williamson, Jr., Def

Last year's record: Undefeated in EIL regular season, lost in Finals of the New England Championships

Coach: Jess Moore (2nd year)

Returning starters: Liza Richardson, Haley Thompson, Lindsay Thompson, Amy McLauhglin, Alex St. Pierre, Lyndsey Shepard, Dale Bishop.

HAMILTON | When your football program is practically in its infancy, you have to swallow hard sometimes and accept the Ouch Factor.

The Ouch Factor? It's what happens when a team is forced to finish a game, even though it's so far behind there's little hope of any way to mount a comeback. It happens to every young program that has to play a long-established team. The outcome is predictable and occasionally painful, but you can't let it get you down.