Duane Goud’s Wiscasset High School girls soccer team surprised teams in the Mountain Valley Conference last year, finishing with a 10- 3-1 mark and the No. 5 seed in Western Maine Class C.
This season, Goud returns nearly his entire roster, with a solid junior class expected to lead the Wolverines further this year.
Also for Wiscasset, baseball coach Todd Souza takes over the boys soccer team, Tim Flanagan leads golf and Warren Cossette has a smallish cross country team as the opening of the fall sports season nears.
Boys soccer
Coach — Todd Souza, first season.
Personnel lost — Zach Ellison, Ryan Hanley.
Personnel returning — Seniors Logan Grover (Midfield), David Marcus (Attack); juniors Mason Whitaker (MF), Andrew Corson (A), Camden Reiss (Defense), Dylan McMahon (Goal Keeper/D), Travis Padilla (MF); sophomores Brycson Grover (A), JD Souza (A), Nate Mills (GK/D), Alex Webber (D).
Newcomers — Junior Zack Fifield (A); freshmen Kevin Lynch (D), Brandon Goud (A), Russell Marr (MF), Ethan James (MF), Nate Woodman (D), Aidan Carlson (MF), Josh Kramley (MF), Alex Strozier (MF), Conlon Ranta (GK/D).
Coach’s comments — “This team was young last season and is young again, but they proved that they could play in this league and have the ability. Now, I am looking to bring our freshmen up to high school speed. Those kids will have to step up and be integrated quickly
“I have two great assistant coaches in Ashton Benn and Bruce Jennings, my father-in-law who coached at Norwich University. We have seen a lot of good things so far, and things that we need to do better. We played in a playday on Saturday and did some good things. We moved the kids around a lot, and it was great to see how they handled the pressure. We found out some things.
“I expect St. Dom’s, who doesn’t rebuild, just retools, Dirigo and Monmouth to be tough, but the MVC is tough just about every day. We must develop defensively and take advantage of our scoring opportunities to have success.”
Team overview — The new coach does have a young team, but those sophomores, especially JD Souza and Brycson Grover, proved their abilities as freshmen and are a year older and stronger.
Season opener — Sept. 7 at home against Carrabec, 1 p.m.
Key dates — Sept. 20 (H, Oak Hill); Sept. 26 (at St. Dom’s); Oct. 4 (at Lisbon); Oct. 22 (H, Hall-Dale).
Girls soccer
Coach — Duane Goud.
2012 highlights — Finished 10-3-1 to take the No. 5 seed in Western C. Fell to Waynflete, 2-1, in the quarterfinals.
Personnel lost — Alyssa Smith.
Personnel returning — Seniors Bri Goud (MF), Sarah Hanley (MF/A), Shania Marr (A), Kasey Cromwell (A), Michaela Trudeau (D); juniors Alecia Faulkingham (MF/A), Hanna Foye (D, MVC Second Team last year), Katie Mills (A), Kayla Gordon (GK), Maeve Carlson (anywhere), Miranda McIntire (anywhere), Rachel Berry (MF/A), Tylan Onorato (D/MF); sophomore Colleen Hendricks (D).
Newcomers — Junior Julia West (A); freshmen Brooke Carlton (F), Calli Myers (D), Gabby Chapman (MF/A), Jenna Bickford (D), Keara Hunter (MF/A), Stephanie Jones (MF/A).
Coach’s comments — “I believe these athletes want to prove something to themselves this year. They will not surprise anyone this year, but if we can stay away from injuries, we will fare well and hopefully go further than we did last year.
“We have to prove ourselves every single time we take the field, and take every game as it is, possess the ball and do the things that we do well.
“We have worked hard to build from the back. Kayla Gordon, in goal, needs to talk, as she is able to see the whole field. That has been a key for us so far in practice, getting that communication going.”
Team overview — A seven-win improvement from two years ago has given the Wolverines some confidence as the MVC opener approaches. With St. Dom’s, Madison, Hall-Dale, Mt. Abram and the rest of the MVC waiting, the Wolverines will need to be strong every time out to match last season’s success and advance past the Western C quarterfinals.
Season opener — At Carrabec Sept. 6, 4 p.m.
Key dates — Sept. 11 (home opener, Hall-Dale); Sept. 28 (H, Boothbay); Oct. 3 (H, Lisbon); Oct. 7 (at Monmouth).
Cross country
Coach — Warren Cossette.
2012 highlights — Heidi Pinkham was 31st at the MVC Championships, while Kyle Shute was 65th in the boys meet.
Personnel lost — Shute, Alyssa Urquhart.
Personnel returning — Boys: Senior Andrew Walton; sophomores Chris Perkins, Sam Storer. Girls: Sophomores Gabby Wenners, Amanda Marcus.
Newcomers — Boys: Junior Ridge Barnes; sophomores Dave Pearson, Bryan Dunning, Noah Jones. Girls: Freshman Kennedy Orr.
Coach’s comments — “I believe that more kids might come out before the season begins, but with the kids we have, I like their work ethic. They know what they want, and are working hard to get there. I am excited about this team. They are in decent shape and are looking to succeed.
“I expect the ladies to get better as the season goes, and Ridge Barnes, David Pearson and our returning athletes could be right there at the end of the season for the boys.”
Team overview — The Wolverines are small, with just 10 total athletes to date, but Cossette believes there are a few of his kids that might just make some noise come MVCs.
Season opener — Sept. 11 at Winthrop, 4:15 p.m.
Key dates — Oct. 9 (at Lisbon, Beaver Park); Oct. 19 (MVCs at UMaine-Augusta); Nov. 2 (State Class C meet).
Golf
Coach — Tim Flanagan.
2012 highlights — Finished 13-4 in the regular season before defeating Mountain Valley in the MVC quarterfinals. Fell to St. Dom’s, but came back to defeat Madison for third place.
Personnel lost —Dave Hardman.
Personnel returning — Seniors Chandler Longfellow (No. 1 or 2), Cass Carr; juniors Tom Anderson, Matt Craig; sophomore Daren Wood.
Newcomers — Freshman Grant Hefler (No. 1 or 2).
Coach’s comments — “It is hard to place these players one through five right now, mostly because they can all go out and shoot 40 or 50. I love this team, and I believe it is one of the better teams that I have had here.
“The biggest thing is for them to develop their games from 100 yards in. If they can do that, and two-putt, we will do well.”
Team overview — Once again, Flanagan, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, feels his team’s biggest challenge will come from St. Dom’s, with Winthrop and Madison strong. The opener at Fox Ridge Golf Course against St. Dom’s will show how far the Wolverines have go.
Season opener — Sept. 3 vs. St. Dom’s at Fox Ridge Golf Course, 3:30 p.m.
Key dates — Sept. 9 (Home opener at Sheepscot Links vs. Madison); Sept. 12 (H, Spruce Mountain); Sept. 26 (H, Dirigo).
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