BIDDEFORD — The University of New England women’s soccer team went unbeaten in conference play last year before a heart-breaking loss in the conference quarterfinals. After losing six seniors the team still has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“I’m excited about who we have coming back, and I’m excited about some of the talent the newcomers bring,” said head coach Heather Davis. “I think there’s high expectations, but also we will have a different look this year, for sure.”
The Nor’easters lost their top two scorers from a year ago, but do bring back three all-conference players.
Two of those players are seniors Nicole Faircloth and Emily Lodge, who will serve as captains alongside junior Morgan Humphreys.
Davis talked glowingly of Lodge, who hails from Lyman.
“Her game knowledge and ability to keep us organized is tremendous,” said Davis. “So she will play a really large role this year.”
Davis will have to find a new starting goalkeeper with the graduation of Jess Woodworth, who was an all-conference selection. Junior Samatha Guyette, sophomore Sarah Papapietro, and freshman Gina Iannazzi have been battling for the starting nod this preseason. Davis doesn’t know who the starter will be, but she is confident that one of the ladies will step up.
“We definitely go with the best person on a day-to-day basis. But someone always has the edge,” said Davis.
With the roster turnover and all the battles for starting spots, Davis doesn’t know exactly who her team is, but she is sure that they will be successful in the end.
“I couldn’t put a finger on what our identity will be this year. It’s still a bit unknown. But I’m very excited about how quickly girls are learning and adapting. I’m real excited about the energy,” said Davis. “I have high hopes. I’m just not totally sure, I don’t totally have my brain wrapped around what we’ll look like just yet.”
The rest of the coaches in the Commonwealth Coast Conference expect UNE to still be good, as the Nor’easters were picked second in the conference preseason poll, right behind Endicott. Davis called the ranking a compliment, but said “the gap between No. 1 and No. 10 is marginal” in the conference.
The team may be somewhat of an anomaly to Davis, but she likes what she has, and thinks that they can live up to the preseason ranking.
“We certainly have great talent and great leadership, and I’d like to think that the sky is the limit with this group,” said Davis.
UNE’s season begins with the Springfield Invitational tournament on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The Nor’easters open conference play at Western New England on Sept. 15, and face Endicott on the road on Sept. 28.
— Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323.
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