They’d probably like to be leading the state in other categories.

The Winthrop boys’ soccer team has five ties this fall, the most by any boys’ squad in Maine.

The Ramblers have gone 3-5-5 this season. It’s a significant improvement, but the amount of ties has put the team tantalizingly closer to a better record.

“It’s been frustrating because we’ve been so close,” said Winthrop coach Lonney Steeves. “We lost to Carrabec with 12 seconds left, and we lost to Telstar in overtime.”

The Ramblers were 3-10-1 last year with a young team. They’re not as overmatched as they were a year ago, but the wins have eluded them.

“We’ve been real competitive with everybody,” said Steeves. “Our lack of scoring has been the frustrating thing. That’s been difficult. We do all the things to get to the finishing part really well.”

Seniors Jesse Wilbur and Max Beauregard have anchored the defense in front of sophomore keeper Mike Gingras.

Senior Jason Dick has been a standout in the midfield while seniors Jason Allen and Andy Pellett and sophomore Dave Zimmerman lead the offense.

One of the biggest changes has been in attitude, says Steeves.

The team has a desire to improve and a determination to win, something last year’s club lacked. It has put the Ramblers on the cusp of their first playoff berth in three years.

Winthrop was ranked ninth in the latest Western C Heals. After games this week, Steeves figures his club to be 11th, right on the edge of being in or out. A win over Lisbon today just might secure the Ramblers a spot and help them avoid depending on other teams for help.

“It’d be a whole lot easier if we could go out there and take care of business,” said Steeves.

A playoff berth would not only be an accomplishment but help set a standard in the coming seasons.

“We’ve been talking about it all year – that we wanted to get back to the playoffs,” said Steeves. “That would be nice for the young guys coming back next year to have that desire to come back and do it again.”

Tournament tuneups

Before the real tournament begins next week, various conferences will be having championship games this weekend.

The MVC games will be Saturday at Jay High School. After a field hockey game at noon, the top two girls’ teams will play at 1:30 p.m. The boys’ matchup follows at 3:30 p.m. That could mean a rematch between the Dirigo and Georges Valley girls. Those clubs battled to a 1-1 tie in the regular season.

The boys’ match will feature Georges Valley and Mt. Abram. The Buccaneers just beat the Roadrunners, 2-1, in overtime, last Saturday.

The KVAC B games will also be Saturday at the MBNA field in Northport. The girls’ play at 11 a.m. and the boys’ at 1 p.m. Both game are likely to feature Maranacook and Winslow.

On Monday, the KVAC A teams play at Brunswick. The boys play at 5 p.m. and the girls play at 6:45 p.m. Those pairing are determined by a specific league record and not Heal Point standings.