ADILSON VIDAL, Senior – Soccer

Contributed photo

• Class A South all-region
• SMAA all-star, first-team
• Senior All-Star
• Captain

Vidal was a terrific leader and steadying force who also had a penchant for scoring goals at the most optimal time during a season to remember for the Rams.

Vidal played junior varsity soccer as a freshman, then he saw time at outside back and center-mid as a sophomore, during the COVID-shortened season. As a junior, Vidal broke out as a player to watch, dazzling with his creativity and willingness to distribute the ball.

This fall, Vidal scored 11 of his team’s 48 goals and added eight of the squad’s 36 assists. Highlights included a game-winning goal against reigning Class A champion Marshwood and a goal in the final minute which produced a draw against Gorham. Vidal also had a goal in a tie against Cheverus, finished with three goals in a win over Massabesic and scored a goal on a rebound of a penalty kick in a stunning upset victory at previously unbeaten Scarborough.

Deering posted its best record since 2016 and beat rival Portland in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2014 before being eliminated by Windham.

“We knew we’re a great team with a bunch of good players all over the field and we just worked together,” said Vidal.

It was a season to remember for the Rams and the engine that sparked them was none other than Adilson Vidal, Deering’s Fall Athlete of the Year.

Coach Joel Costigan’s comment: “Adilson was our most dangerous offensive threat and total points leader this year. He was our feature attacking player, our big game player, scoring crucial goals in big-time games. Adilson is the most creative and dynamic player I’ve coached since being at Deering and is a player we tried to build around this year. We gave him very few restrictions, let him do his thing and tried to maximize his creativity. He has tremendous potential and the talent and ability to play at a very high level if he puts in the work. As a senior, everything he brought to the table the three years prior came together, including the confidence he needed to take that next step to help us be one of the top teams in the state. We saw his ability to distribute and create for his teammates, his ability to maintain possession, shoot from distance, exploit one-on-ones and to find a way to score when we needed a big goal. His presence on the field most definitely influenced how teams had to defend us and he stood out as one of the top talents in the state.”

File photo

Prior winners:

• 2021 Celda Mouckala (soccer)
* 2020 Muntasir Ahmed (soccer)
• 2019 Max Morrione (soccer)
• 2018 Alec Troxell (cross country)
• 2017 Alex McGonagle (golf)
• 2016 Yahya Nure (cross country)
• 2015 Max Chabot (football)
• 2014 Stephen Ochan (soccer)
• 2013 Will Barlock (golf)
• 2012 Kenny Sweet (football)
• 2011 Joe Walp (golf)
• 2010 Jamie Ross (football)
• 2009 Charlie Dupee (soccer)
• 2008 Jack Heary (football)
• 2007 Tony Yeboah (soccer)
• 2006 John Misener (cross country)
• 2005 Sean Meehan (soccer/football)
• 2004 Ryan Flaherty (football)

LARA GIN,  Junior– Volleyball

Contributed photo

• SMAA all-star, first-team
* Captain

Gin made quite an impact for the Rams this season, be it flying above the net for a kill, or as a leader and Deering ended up winning nine matches and getting to the state quarterfinals.

Gin missed out on her freshman season due to COVID. She made the All-Conference second-team as a sophomore and elevated her game even further this fall, finishing with 157 kills, 146 digs, 62 aces and 22 blocks, truly doing a little of everything.

The Rams started the season 7-2 and despite dropping four of their final five matches, they hosted a state preliminary round contest against Kennebunk and avenged an earlier loss, prevailing in three games. Deering was then ousted by eventual state champion Biddeford in three sets in the quarterfinals.

Gin is also a runner and jumper in outdoor track. She placed fourth in the 400 at last year’s Class A state meet.

She’ll look to continue to make her mark on the court next fall and with Lara Gin, Deering’s Fall Athlete of the Year, leading the way, another big season is sure to be in store.

Coach Niko Francois’ comment: “Lara means a lot to our team. She is our leader on and off the court. She takes the game very seriously and always brings her all to every practice and to games as well. We appreciated her passion and the effort she brings to our team. Lara is a phenomenal player. A force to be reckoned with. She’s only been playing volleyball for a few years and she’s dominated the sport thus far. Her motivation, drive, determination and passion are what makes her a such a great player. She works extremely hard to be the best that she can be on and off the court. I cannot wait to continue to see her progress and her growth.”

Contributed photo

Prior winners:

• 2021 Megan Cunningham (cross country)
* 2020 Megan Cunningham (cross country)
• 2019 Mia Sargent (soccer)
• 2018 Aleah Murph (field hockey)
• 2017 Maddy Broda (volleyball)
• 2016 Kaylee Helmick (volleyball)
• 2015 Simone Lauture (soccer)
• 2014 Rylie Turner (field hockey)
• 2013 Alexis Elowitch (soccer)
• 2012 Alexis Elowitch (soccer)
• 2011 Alexis Sivovlos (soccer)
• 2010 Amanda Masse (soccer)
• 2009 Jami LeRoy (field hockey)
• 2008 Jess Ruhlin (field hockey)
• 2007 Jess Ruhlin (field hockey)
• 2006 Chelsea Johnson (soccer)
• 2005 Ashley Morgan (cross country)
• 2004 Bronwyn Potthoff (field hockey)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.