Panthers have talent
to compete with the best
By Joseph Cyr
MARS HILL —It could be a big season on the soccer pitch for the Central Aroostook boys and girls squads this fall.
After coming so close to reaching the state Class D championship in soccer a year ago, which included advanced deeper in the postseason than any other boys squad in CAHS history, the Panther boys are hoping to take the next step this season.
Not to be outdone, the Panther girls have one of the most talented squads their coach has seen, which should bode well for a big season.
For the boys team, improving upon last season’s 11-3 record will be a tall order, but one that coach Wally Endy believes is possible. Central Aroostook was the No. 5 seed in Eastern Class D last year and advanced to the regional finals, where it faced No. 2 Bangor Christian for the title. The Panthers fell 3-0 in that game.
“I have a good core group of guys back from last year,” Endy said. “My only concern is that I have a really young defense.”
Members of the Central Aroostook boys soccer team include seniors Matt Amnott (fullback), Kyle Murray (midfield) and Tyler Rusby (midfield); juniors Spencer Stetson (forward), Ross Grass (goalie), Dan Brewer (forward), Brandon Anthony (midfield) and Mike McClung (fullback); sophomores Steve Decker (midfield), Joe Stiles (midfield), Conner Boulier (forward), Darrin Murray (fullback), Dylan Murray (midfield), Steven Garrison (forward), Josh Cook (fullback), David Millard (midfield) and Derek Rusby (fullback); and freshmen Spencer Garrison (fullback), Jacob Canney (midfield), Mason Davis (midfield) and Connor Todd (fullback).
Scoring goals has been no problem for the Panthers thus far in the 2010 season. CAHS is 3-3 on the season. The Panthers tallied 19 goals in their first four games, while allowing 15.
“We’ve been scoring in unconventional ways, at least for us, on headers and corner kicks, so that’s a positive,” Endy said.
Girls eyeing deep playoff run
The CAHS girls soccer team has high hopes for the 2010 soccer season and rightfully so. With nine returning starters from last year’s squad, along with five others who saw limited varsity action, experience is certainly not lacking for the Panthers this season.
Coach Dave Collins returns for his fifth season with the varsity girls team. Assisting Collins is Arlie Wiggins.
“This year can only be limited by the girls’ desire to play hard and win,” Collins said. “They certainly are one of the most talented teams overall in Class D and one of the two most talented teams I have ever coached between boys and girls.”
CAHS finished 4-8-2 last season, in a year that had its ups and downs. Coach Collins knew his team had potential to win a big game, but the chemistry never fully materialized. Still, the Panthers’ record was good enough for the seventh seed in Eastern Class D, where they faced second-seeded Ashland in the quarterfinals. The Panthers were blasted 7-0.
Members of the CAHS girls team include seniors Gabe Brewer (defender), Mariah Cook (midfield), Rebecca Grass (defender/midfield) and Kristen Long (midfield); juniors Olivia Cyr (forward), Rachael Grew (midfield), Whitney Klein (midfield), Vicki McIntyre (midfield), Abigail Quail (forward/keeper) and Shannon Todd (defender); sophomores Page Fletcher (defender), Olivia Garrison (defender), Paige Garrison (keeper/midfield), Sarah Grass (forward/midfield), MacKenzie Hatt (midfield/keeper). Whitney Smith (midfield/forward) and Brea York (midfield/forward); and freshmen Marissa Anthony (forward/midfield), Alexis Bradbury (defender), Megan King (defender) and Sydney Smith (defender/midfield).
t “We will be looking for scoring all over the field with the group this year,” Collins said. “There will be no one player the other teams can look to contain, as we can get scoring every game from any of seven or eight players on the field. But again, it will all come back to the girls’ desire to play hard and their will to win each night.”
Staff photos/Gloria Austin
TOUGH D – Derek Rusby, on the ground in top photo, and Mariah Cook, left, and Page Fletcher, below, all show defensive hustle for the Central Aroostook Panthers during last Wednesday’s doubleheader against Southern Aroostook played in Dyer Brook.
