Football

Coach: Jason McLeod

Record: 2-6

Seniors: Anthony Dahms, Patrick Walsh, David Quigley; Miles McIllwain, Aaron Tanguay, Ricky Ames, Peter Dore, Dana Lebel, Brandon Robbins, Chris Dyer, Ian Purington and JJ Marcigliano

Though the team had a losing mark, the Blazes coach feels as though this season was a step in the right direction.

“This was the first time in a long time that this school has been that competitive,” McLeod said. “The team’s record was not indicative of its effort and competitiveness.”

The best stretch of the season came in the middle, when Westbrook beat South Portland, 34-6, and Cheverus, 35-14, in consecutive weeks, and followed that up with a tough first half against eventual state champs Bonny Eagle.

“(The two wins) gave the kids the confidence they needed to be more competitive,” said McLeod.

Dahms received the team’s MVP award, while Dore was chosen as Most Improved, and Walsh and Tanguay received the Coach’s Award. In addition, Robert Chauvette received the Green Shirt Award as the best practice player.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how hard our underclassmen work during the off-season,” said McLeod, “so we can continue improving each year, and hopefully be competing for a playoff berth in 2006.”

Field Hockey

Coach: Beth Murphy

Record: 13-5

Seniors: Vanessa Enman, Meaghan Murphy, Katie Lybrand, Aly Bourgeois, Alicia Wescott, Bailey Bedell and Kayla Brant

The Blazes field hockey squad had their sights set on making it to the championship game, but a one-goal loss to nemesis Bonny Eagle in the regional quarterfinals did them in.

“The girls didn’t get to where they set their goal – the state final – but they didn’t go down without a fight,” said Murphy. “We took Bonny Eagle down to the wire with no time left and a penalty corner.”

Still, the team had an excellent season, at one point reeling off seven wins in a row. Meaghan Murphy (all state and SMAA first team), as expected, was the Westbrook’s biggest offensive threat, but she was frequently joined in the scoring column by Erin Knott (SMAA second team), Vanessa Enman (SMAA honorable mention) and sister Erin Murphy.

Aly Bourgeois (SMAA second team) anchored the defense and Katie Lybrand did a nice job in goal.

Enman received the Team Player Award, the elder Murphy was chosen as Best Offensive Player and Bourgeois as Best Defensive Player. Kayla Brant was picked for the Coach’s Award, while Molly McDonough was chosen as Unsung Hero.

“We’ve lost a talented group of seniors,” Coach Murphy said, “but we have a great and promising group of underclassmen. We should still be tough in the upcoming years.”

Boys Soccer

Coach: Tim Gillis

Record: 13-3

Seniors: Chad Cleaves, Jim Siulinski, Erik Born, Kevin Lessard, Jack Siulinksi, Alex Baillargeon, Jordan Rich, Trevor Jenkins, Jason Aceto and TJ Kelley

The Blazes made some noise on the soccer field this season, compiling the best record in school history and topping the Heal point rankings.

“This team set the standard for teams for years to come,” said Gillis. “We had great team spirit. When one of our players was well-marked, or otherwise ineffective, someone else would step up and make things happen.”

Of the Blazes three losses, two were by a goal and the third was a 2-0 loss to eventual state champ Scarborough. At one point Westbrook put together a nine-game winning streak that featured five come-from-behind victories.

“To finish in first place in the regular season is now a regular expectation of our club, despite our limited numbers,” Gillis said.

Midfielder Travis Rand led the SMAA in scoring with 17 goals and 12 assists and was selected as an SMAA first team all-star. Cleaves was chosen for the SMAA second team, while Born and Siulinski received honorable mentions.

Born, who “played defense and man-marked the other team’s best player, scored goals when needed, and, most impressively, played goalie for the penalty kick win in overtime against Cape Elizabeth,” received the team’s MVP award. Zach Souza was chosen as Most Improved and Eben Perkins received the Coach’s Award.

“Also,” Gillis added, “the players continue to offer their one free day a week to volunteer work with the local youth soccer programs, a service they have performed with little fanfare for the past decade.”

Girls Soccer

Coach: Vince Aceto

Record: 3-10-1

Seniors: Allison Swan, Regi Wood, Shannon Northrop, Jen Blais, Ashley Caron, Becca Lockwood, Kelsey Richards and Arianna Dibiase

While the record may not look impressive, this team improved from last year’s mark of 1-14, and that’s a step in the right direction.

“Seeing how the girls started the season full of doubt and anxiety from last season’s results, I can say they exceeded all expectations,” Aceto said. “I think teams were surprised at what the Lady Blazes had to offer.”

With wins over Massabesic, Portland and Noble – and a number of close losses – the coach felt that his team “proved that we can play and contend against the top teams after two difficult seasons struggling to get victories.”

Midfielder Allie Aceto was selected as an SMAA second-team all-star, while freshman forward Emily Wight received an honorable mention.

Wight was also the team’s Offensive Player of the Year, while Northrup was chosen as Defensive Player of the Year. Swan received the Coach’s Award and Caron was picked for the Team Humanitarian Award for her work on the Hurricane Relief Fund.

“Losing eight senior leaders will be hard but we’re a young squad with a lot of varsity experience,” Aceto said. “We will set the bar a little higher next year to achieve our team goal once again.”

Girls Cross Country

Coach: Suzanne Hussey

Record: 2-12

Seniors: Kaila Kelly

With a single senior on the squad, the Blazes were very young this year. Still, they managed to beat Portland in a home meet during Homecoming weekend and finished 11th out of 16 teams at the regionals.

Sophomore Keelin O’Connor was Westbrook’s top runner all year and finished 30th in a field of 106 at in the west regional meet. She was selected as the team’s most valuable runner and was named as an honorable mention SMAA all-star.

Jen Robertson, 44th at the regionals, was chosen as Most Improved Runner, while Alyssa Whitlock, 61st in regionals, was presented with the Coach’s Award.

“We’re looking to really start building a program,” Hussey said. “We hope to improve in the future.”

Golf

Coach: Mark Luthe

Record: 2-8

Seniors: Greg Perrault, Justin Sawyer, and Tyler Pease

Inexperience hurt the Blazes on the links. After a strong 11A?1?2 – 1A?1?2 win over South Portland to start the season, the team “faltered quite a bit after that,” Luthe said, after a top player left the team for academic reasons.

“I told the kids this is a learning experience and we have to put the losses behind us and stay focused on our next match,” said the first-year coach. “Being so young that was tough to do.”

Westbrook battled, losing to Scarborough, 7-6, and four other contests, 9-4. Perrault, Sawyer, Kyle Sanborn and Adam Fenderson were the team’s top players for much of the season.

“It was a great experience for the kids who played in the qualifier at Natanis,” Luthe said. “I look forward to next year when the kids have a whole summer of golf under their belts, and I look for some improvements next year.”

Boys Cross Country

Coach: Sheri Piers

Record: 1-6

Seniors: John Davis, Alex Emery, Peter DeLong, Delancey Nicoll and Nick Thomas

The Blazes were competitive all season long and won their home meet with Noble in mid-September, taking four out of the top five spots in that contest.

Emery was the team’s top runner, finishing first in two races and second in two others. He was also 18th of 104 runners at the western regionals.

Teammates Joel Parent and Davis also had good season for the Blazes, who finished ninth out of 14 squads at the regionals.

Emery was chosen as the squad’s Most Valuable Runner, and Davis received the Coach’s Award. James Bowser and Joseph Lappin were named as Most Improved.