Sports Editor
Inexperience has been a problem for this year’s Central Aroostook Lady Panther soccer squad, but third-year coach Dave Collins noted that the lack of previous playing time for a number of players can also be considered a positive. “They are eager and willing to learn to play new positions and not set in their ways about only being able to play one position,” Collins said. “With all the injuries we have had to endure this year, most of our players have had to play many different positions game in and game out.
“I don’t believe we have had the same starting lineup any more than two times all season.”
Central Aroostook won just five out of 14 matches during the regular season, capping it with a 6-1 home victory over East Grand Thursday.
When everyone is healthy, the starting lineup includes captains Meagan McClay and Brittany Mosher (7 goals) on the front line, with Kristen Long (team-leading nine goals) and Rachel Grew (2 goals and 2 assists) the inside midfielders and Sarah Michaud (4 goals) and Gabe Brewer (2 goals) at midfield wings.
Shannon Todd and Desray Brewer are the inside defenders, while Heather Bradstreet and Rachel Donovan are the wing backs.
Vicki McIntyre is the team’s goalkeeper, with Desray Brewer serving as the backup.
Others seeing a lot of time and occasionally called upon to start are Kayla Demoura, Karina Gray, Ashley Estabrook, Rebecca Grass and Olivia Cyr.
Despite the struggles at times, the Panthers entered the final week of the season with a chance to lock up a playoff position in Eastern Maine Class D.
“Making the playoffs would be two years in a row, which hasn’t been done for quite awhile,” Collins said, “so the girls are pumped up about being able to do that this year and build on it for the years to come.”
The coach said if a playoff berth is earned and the team can get back into shape and healthy again following the harvest recess, the Lady Panthers could be a tough matchup for a higher seed in the post-season.
“If we end up in the right bracket, we could do some damage and win a game, or even two,” Collins said.
