MARS HILL, Maine — A young Panther girls’ soccer team will have to overcome having to play eight of its first 10 games on the road in its quest to return to the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs.
Third-year coach Joe Levesque is bolstered by a large and talented freshman group that takes up 10 of the 19 roster spots.
“One of the keys will be getting the freshmen acclimated to the speed of the high school game,” Levesque said, “but I think we are a bit quicker than we were last year. I hope our increase in speed will make up for some of our inexperience on the field.”
The Panthers’ schedule could be an obstacle, according to Levesque. The team opened on the road Friday at Washburn and played at Fort Fairfield Tuesday. Following its home opener Aug. 26 against the Beavers, CA also plays five of its next six on the road.
“We have a brutal schedule and it does give me some concern with such a young team,” said the coach.
The good news is that the Panthers close out the season with six consecutive home games.
CA went 8-8 in the regular season last year, beat Southern Aroostook in a prelim and then fell to Ashland in the quarters.
The team has experienced its share of injuries during the preseason, but the projected starting lineup includes senior goalie April Santiago, who punts the ball well and has also improved her speed and agility.
Sophomores Kelsey Dominique and Jadeyn Giberson start in the back along with freshman Isabelle Wright, who brings a physical presence to the field.
Whitnie Bradbury, who joins Santiago as the team’s lone seniors, is a talented player and an outstanding leader. Juniors Delaney Grass and Mollie Garrison will also start along with freshman Keara McCrum.
Freshmen Caitlyn Harris and Kassidy Levesque and junior Karli Levesque will be counted on for offense. Karli Levesque is the leading returning scorer with 24 goals.
Sophomores Sarah Garritson and Haley Rowe join freshmen Jessica Thomas, Sarah Sargent, Chloe Wheeler, Kaitlyn Faloon, Michael Pelletier and Taia Tilley as the remaining players.
