Shaw brings a new philosophy
to CAHS girls soccer team
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
MARS HILL — Stori Shaw is back, coaching in the town she grew up in and for the school in which she starred in the early-1990s.
The Central Aroostook Panthers took a 1-4-1 record into its home game against Hodgdon yesterday afternoon as the team is adjusting to a new coach who has brought in a different philosophy and style of play.
“The areas of concentration have been possession, communication and speed of play,” said Shaw, who has coached soccer at various levels across Maine and in Georgia over the past 16 years, including last year’s stint as coach of the Hermon girls varsity team which made it into the Eastern Maine Class B playoffs.
“Overall, I feel the girls are finally getting used to my coaching style and philosophy as we progress further into the season,” said Shaw, who replaced David Collins, who is now the head boys coach at CAHS. “I knew it would take some time for them to adjust to me and I to them.”
She said the Panthers are now playing a “possession-style” game, versus a “boot and run” game they had been accustomed to. The results have been mixed early on, but Shaw said she took some positive things out of losses to Class C Madawaska in the first game of the season and to current undefeated Washburn last Tuesday.
Against the Beavers, which resulted in a 3-1 loss after the game was tied at intermission, Shaw said her squad “simply ran out of gas.” However, she said the Panthers played “very hard and showed how tough they really are. I was extremely proud of them.
“We still need to work on our first touch, communication, fitness and overall speed, but we’re coming along — slowly but surely,” said the first-year coach.
Shaw is impressed with the leadership demonstrated by seniors Rachael Grew and Vicki McIntyre and junior Page Fletcher.
“They are all great communicators, leaders and skilled players,” Shaw said. “I appreciate their hard work and desire to do whatever it takes to win.”
Grew (one goal and one assist so far this season) and McIntyre (four goals) are midfield starters along with classmate Whitney Klein. Fletcher leads a defense that also includes freshman Whitnie Bradbury, senior Shannon Todd and junior Olivia Garrison. The starting goalie is junior Paige Garrison, while the front line includes sophomore Marissa Anthony (one goal, one assist) and juniors Breanne York (one goal, one assist) and Sarah Grass (two goals).
The reserves are juniors Kayla Cushman, Mackenzie Hatt, Michaela King and Whitney Smith; sophomores Alexis Bradbury, Megan King and Sydney Smith; and freshman Carly Grass.
“Our goal is to keep improving every game and to make the playoffs,” Shaw said. “Anything can happen in the post-season, and we will be ready.”
