Warriors ready for season

With the beginning of another soccer season, Southern Aroostook coach Cliff Urquhart is looking for a leader to emerge for  his team.
“I’m still looking for someone to step up,” he said. “Last year, we scored close to 60 goals on the season. I don’t see us scoring with that type of frequency this year. I think we will be playing in more close games this season.”
Two-time All-Aroostook midfielder Patrick Goodall will be relied upon to shoulder the scoring load of graduated midfielder Dakota Sleeper, who led the state with 32 goals a year ago. Also leading the scoring charge, according to Urquhart, will be senior strikers Jake Lassonde and David Dubois, along with senior midfielder Anthony Diaferio.
“Anthony usually flies under the radar because he doesn’t score much, but carries his weight in the midfield playing both sides of the ball, setting up a lot of scoring opportunities,” Urquhart added. “He is that special player whose motor never stops running and its constantly around the ball.”
Supporting the midfield will be junior Taylor Locke and freshman Robert Rockwell.
“I’ve been extremely pleased from what I have seen from Taylor and Rob,” said Urquhart. “Both are very smart players who are never out of position.”
Anchoring the defense is senior sweeper Cody Robinson.
“Cody has striker-like footwork and a knack for the ball,” his coach said.
Helping him on defense will be junior stopper Joe Frazier, and a combination of fullbacks, including Vance Gustin, Dylan Porter and Cody Lassonde.
In goal for his second season is keeper Jesse Boulier, who his coach said, made “huge strides” last year, as a starting freshman goalie on a 12-4 team.
Also players who look for to contribute to the team are senior utility player, Dillon Willette, sophomore Mason Caron, and freshmen fullbacks, Trent Cullinan and Will McGary, along with midfielder Logan Buckley.
“I think we have some pretty decent overall team speed,” Urquhart said. “If we can work together and play the passing game, rather than falling into kick and run, I think we have the makings to be successful in class D this year.”
But, the Warriors nearly lost their first game of the season against Easton.
“We tried to sit on a three-goal lead,” Urquhart explained. “I’ve stressed to my players that in close games, you need to play hard for 80 minutes. There is no room for a break when you’re out there on the field.”
The goal for the Warriors is go .500 on the season and reach the playoffs.
“Like every summer, we have struggled to get everybody [to practice] at the same time,” Urquhart said. “We don’t start school until September so that’s an entire month that kids don’t have to be in school. We deal with things like work, vacations and transportation issues, so it makes it tough. I will say that this has been a great group of student-athletes to work with so far. They work hard and are willing to learn and that’s all you can really ask from a kid at this level.”