Football

Coach: Jeffrey Guerette

Last year’s record: 1-7

Key players: Seniors: Ollie Steele (QB/DB), Matt Payne (FB/LB), Tom Pratt (HB/DB), Patrick Fagan (TE/DE). Juniors: Trevor Bates (OT/DE), Emmanuel Vincent (HB/DB)

Season outlook: Last year was a tough one for the Blue Blazes, with the team’s only win coming as the result of a forfeit over eventual state champion Bonny Eagle after the Scots used an ineligible player in the closing minutes of the game.

Westbrook faces a tough challenge right out of the gate this season as they have to travel to Bonny Eagle to face the Scots in the season opener on Sept. 4. Despite the tough task facing the Blazes in their first game, Guerette said he has liked what he has seen from his team in the preseason. “We have many returners with experience and had a productive summer,” he said. “We will be a small and quick team. The competitiveness of the offensive and defensive line will determine our success this season.”

Boys soccer

Coach: Tim Gillis

Last year’s record: 8-5-1, lost to Greely in Class A semifinals

Key players: Tri-captains: Jeff Morse, Brad Stiles, and Brenden Walden. Garret Poitras, Heath LeClair and Jarrick Russo.

Season outlook: Gillis said that the Blazes are rebuilding after losing some key seniors to graduation. “While we may have fewer stars than in years past, the team will rely on a strong defense and hope to play a passing game,” Gillis said. “We open with a tough road game at South Portland, and follow that up with three more big games against Kennebunk, Gorham, and Deering. With fewer teams making playoffs this year, a strong start is crucial to our success.”

Girls soccer

Coach: Ryan Hayes

Last year’s record: 5-6-3, lost to Cheverus 2-1 (OT) in first round of playoffs

Key players: Seniors: Stephanie Wagner (GK), Mallory Driscoll (M), Allie Sousa (D), Jamie Leveque (F), Karleigh Gaudreau (M). Juniors: Lindsay Driscoll (D), Lauren Blais (M), Emily Grossman (F) and Vanessa Bradbury (F).

Season outlook: According to Hayes, a tough loss in the playoffs last year did not tarnish what was a tremendous one-year turn-around for the Lady Blazes. Last fall, the team saw improvements in goals against (giving up 22 as opposed to 63 the previous year) and losses (six losses as opposed to 13 the previous year). In addition, four of their losses (including playoffs) came in the final minute of play/OT. Although they lost nine seniors from last year’s squad, the outlook is bright as they prepare to make a deep playoff run in 2009.

Field hockey

Coach: Beth Murphy

Last Year’s Record: 13-4, lost in Western Maine final to Scarborough

Key players: Seniors: Tri-captains Danielle Bouchard-midfielder, Lizzy Conley-goalie and Katie Walsh- fullback. Christina Cuddy-halfback, Sara Loveitt- forward, Emma Levinsky- fullback, Ashlyn Bourgeois- fullback, Taylor Woodman- fullback, Emily Blood- forward. Juniors: Sydney Hebert- sweep, Taryn Ferrante- midfielder, Sarah Howard-forward, Olivia Marsden- forward, Melissa Pettis- forward and Tate Herbert-midfielder.

Season outlook: The Blazes lost nine starting seniors from last fall’s team to graduation and 12 seniors overall. As a result, Murphy said this would be a rebuilding year for Westbrook. Still, she said she had a reason to expect good things from the team this season. “(It’s a) young team with lots of potential,” Murphy said. “It’s all about good attitudes and willing to come together to be successful as a team.”

Golf

Coach: Eric Wales

Last year’s record: 6-4

Key golfers: Scott Heath, Tom Lemay, Nick Finocchario and Shane Nealey

Season outlook: “We have some veteran players back, but the development of

the new varsity players will be a big key to the season,” Wales said. “We should be very competitive at home, and must win some road matches. A winning season, and a nice showing at the state qualifier will be a very successful season.”

Boys cross country

Coach: Sheri Piers

Last year’s record: The Blazes had two wins last season

Key runners: Captain Zach Dugas, Glen Emery, Harrison Schrondek, Antonio Pulsifer and Jon Murray.

Season outlook: Piers said that she had a pleasant surprise this season as her numbers doubled from last fall. Additionally, the return of Emery, who Piers called one of the better runners in the state, will be a big boost for Westbrook. “I believe his leadership and work ethic is infectious and sets a tone for the whole team,” Piers said. “I am very excited about this season, the efforts these young men have demonstrated in pre-season tells me a lot about the season is going to go.”

Girls cross country

Coach: Suzanne Ray

Key runners: Daria Semenov and Samantha Williams

Season outlook: “We have a very small girls team this year,” Ray said. “So we will be focusing on reaching personal goals this season.”

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