EASTON, Maine — Last year was a memorable one for the boys varsity soccer program in Easton.
The team compiled the first undefeated season in school history, finished No. 1 and made it all the way to the Eastern Maine Class D championship game before falling short at home to Bangor Christian.
This a new season and there are some key holes to fill, but veteran coach Ryan Shaw is ready for the challenge.
“We have the potential to be successful,” Shaw said. “The key will be turning the potential into results. We understand that nobody is overlooking us anymore and we will likely get the best games out of our opponents.”
The Bears opened at Ashland Tuesday and are back on the road Thursday against Limestone-MSSM. The team will play its first home game Saturday at 1 p.m. against Fort Fairfield.
Easton has a solid core of players to build around, according to Shaw, even though the four who graduated (Hunter Turner, Ian Sotomayor, Colby Pangburn and Cameron Young) left a clear void with the leadership and dependability they provided.
Senior Nick Clark will be the team’s sweeper. He is smart and quick and “usually finds a way to come up with the ball,” Shaw said.
Senior Connor Burtt returns as an outside back and is a “shutdown defender” who will take his share of free kicks.
Brian Corbin is another senior and first-year player who will start at the other outside back. Sophomore Hunter Brown drops back from forward to defense and will see time as a holding midfielder.
Cody Halvorson anchors the midfield and the senior serves as the team’s field general. Junior Logan Halvorson will swap between forward and midfield as will classmate Drew Sotomayor.
Senior Logan Dickinson plays left wing and sophomore Jordan White will also vary his position on the field from forward to midfield.
Sophomore Jake Flewelling returns as the starting goalie.
“He is quick and strong and can steal a close game for us,” Shaw said.
Juniors Jason Gurley and Trevor Hathaway and freshmen Collin Sotomayor, Noah Hanscomb, Ryan West, Keagan Kinney and Matthew Poole are the team’s other players who will battle for time on the field.
“If we are able to develop on a daily basis and work well as a unit, we could contend,” Shaw said. “Soccer is a sport that you really rely on each and every player. Last year we came together as a team and if we do the same this year, we’ll be fine.”
