Hawks’ coach optimistic

by Staff Pioneer Times
14 years ago

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    First-year coach Mark Morin expects his Hodgdon-GHCA cooperative boys varsity soccer team to be at least .500 or better for the season.
    “I think probably we are going to do OK,” he said. “We potentially have a few more wins in us this season, as we have some tough teams coming.”
    The Hawks will have two games with Houlton, another game each with Southern Aroostook, Katahdin and Limestone/MSSM.
    “We are young, as far as freshmen,” Morin said. “But, I also start a lot of freshmen because they are very talented young players.”
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
sp-hodboys-dc3-pt-39HEADER — Hodgdon’s Brandon Malone gets up off the ground to head the ball during a game last week against East Grand.
    The Hawks also have a mix of seasoned players to help lead the team.
    “Last year, we didn’t have enough [players] to have a team, but the juniors and seniors, who were going to play last year, are playing this year and most of them are starting,” Morin explained.
    The Hawks are eyeing the playoffs.
    “I think we just need a couple of upsets,” Morin said. “If we can sweep Southern Aroostook and even split with Houlton, those are big points for us. We potentially can make it into the playoffs.”
    Morin, who is a graduate of Hodgdon High School, tried for several years to start a soccer program at Greater Houlton Christian Academy, but did not have the numbers. So, when he saw the coaching vacancy, he “jumped on it.”
    “Soccer is a sport I enjoy,” he said.
    Morin also helps coach basketball and baseball, as well. However, his main passion is on the soccer field and he hopes to tweak some areas before postseason.
    “We’re very good offensively,” he said. “We have a lot of fast kids, who can move the ball around when they want to and they have some talent. Where we struggle is settling the ball in the air and our defense is lacking a little bit.”
    Morin believes the players have responded well so far.
    “They are a great bunch of kids and I have really enjoyed this year,” he said. “I  hope to continue to coach out here.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
sp-hodboys-dc6-pt-39SAVE — East Grand goalie Alex Brittain makes an exceptional save on a shot by Hodgdon’s Chris Hudson during last week’s game in  Hodgdon.