Wildcat girls face challenges
PRESQUE ISLE — The Wildcat girls soccer team is coming off an amazing run. Three consecutive Eastern Maine finals appearances, including a title in 2011, put PI in elite company. For the team to repeat this success in 2013, coach Ralph Michaud will have to see a new core of players step up their game.
The Wildcats lost nine seniors off last year’s team. Included in that group were all-state performers Chandler Guerrette and Karlee Bernier, All-Eastern Maine selection Megan Ireland and Presque Isle’s all-time goalie shutout leader in Meridith Stewart.
Now in his 16th year of coaching, Michaud is facing a lot of different challenges this season.
“In a normal year, players have the opportunity to learn positions a little at a time,” explained Michaud. “This year players are thrown into positions,” he said. “They are young and will be expected to contribute immediately.”
This trial by fire will only serve to let the Wildcats get better every time out. Michaud also noted that part of the learning will involve the players learning to expect to win.
“Success breeds success,” explained Michaud, “and we have had players who are accustomed to winning. They have understood the importance of playing with fire and intensity every game.”
Fortunately for Michaud, there is a core group of players who are returning that can help teach that mindset to the rest of the team.
Leading the way will be seniors Carly Bell at midfield, Kaleigh Kinney at wing, Logan Caron at defender and Danielle Allen at midfield. The four will be expected to provide leadership and perform well on a daily basis. Allen in particular is a third-year varsity player who has had the winning experience. All four will serve as captains, along with juniors Krystal Kingsbury and Hannah Graham. In addition to Kingsbury and Graham — also third-year varsity players who will play sweeper and wings respectively — are juniors Macy Desmond, Erin Ackerson, Emma Kinney, Megan Seward and Jordi Legassie.
Desmond, Ackerson, Kinney and Seward will primarily fill defensive roles, while Legassie will anchor the offense at striker. Legassie and Graham will be key scorers in the Presque Isle attacking end.
The sophomore class is also well represented. Returning starter Taylor Williams will be a threat all over the field and will start in the midfield. Jillian Flynn, the back-up goalie a year ago, will be counted on to keep the ball out of the net. Michaud described her as an “aggressive athletic player with a hockey player’s mentality.”
Miranda Jandreau will serve as a backup to Flynn and is working hard every day. Olivia Hudson will start at striker and has excellent quickness, while Kerrigan Leblanc will play wing and Regan Nelson will play striker.
Michaud noted that his squad be a more conservative team than in the past.
“We only have five field subs this year,” explained Michaud, “so players will have to be much more versatile. Our conditioning will have to be outstanding due to the level of depth we have. Players will find themselves in a lot of different positions, and we have the talent to play that way. I see us as a defensive-minded team who will play smart and defend correctly.”
