TOPSHAM

Kelly LaFountain’s Mt. Ararat High School field hockey team played defense just about as well as anyone in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference last year.

Take away blowout losses to powerhouses Skowhegan, Messalonskee and Lawrence, LaFountain’s squad allowed just 10 goals in 11 games, including five shutouts.

But, the other end of the field was filled with missed opportunities for the Eagles, who struggled to score all season en route to a 2-7-5 record.

Along the way, LaFountain, whose team produced just 10 goals all season, watched her squad play to three consecutive scoreless deadlocks, and fall in the season’s final two contests by 1-0 scores.

“What was most frustrating is seeing the girls work hard, create chances and not get the luck when it came to bounces,” said LaFountain, who has worked her Eagles feverishly so far in the preseason on the offensive end while trying to fill some holes on defense after the graduation of several quality athletes. “It is a tough job having to replace those who were threeand four-year starters. Our conference is tough, and it takes solid leadership to get through it.”

The Eagles jump right into it on Thursday when Skowhegan comes to Topsham for a 4 p.m. KVAC opener. The Indians have won the past 11 Eastern Maine Class A titles and taken home 10 state championships in that time-frame.

“We will immediately see where we measure up, and the game will let us know the areas we need to improve on,” said LaFountain. “If we can do certain things against Skowhegan, we can do them against anyone.

“From there, Messalonskee, Brewer and Cony will be tough again, with everyone else pretty close with little separation.”

Charlotte Crosby (forward), Lizzie O’Neal (midfield), Sarah Sandlin (defense), Mallory Nelson (D, Honorable Mention All-KVAC last year), Katelyn Beedy (D) and Micaela Mitchell (F) are LaFountain’s returning seniors, while the junior returnees are Caitlin LaFountain (MF, All-KVAC First Team last year), Carly Raymond (F) and Paige Perry (D/MF).

The newcomers are seniors Taylor Pare (goaltender) and Kate Groh (D), along with juniors Samantha Hamilton (MF/D), Kristen Pierce (F), Kelly Richard (D), Danielle Palmer (M) and Renee Rossignol (GK), sophomore Alyssa Curit (F) and freshman Kaely Lewis (M/F).

“I believe between the circles we match up well with just about everyone in the league, but inside the circles is where we will need to improve, plus keeping possession of the ball is key for us,” concluded coach LaFountain.

Football

Frank True’s first season as the Mt. Ararat head coach didn’t go according to plan for the former longtime Eagles’ assistant coach.

Mt. Ararat struggled to an 0-9 mark in 2011, extending their losing skid over the past two-plus years to 18 games.

Still, True exudes confidence as the Pine Tree Conference season opener with Lewiston (Aug. 31, 7 p.m., at Topsham) nears, especially after watching his squad play well in a scrimmage with Falmouth recently.

“Offensively, a lot of the new plays we ran went well,” said True. “We had a few hiccups along the way, which is to be expected in the first game against an opponent. But, I am pleased to see how well the guys are picking things up.”

True has a small roster, with just 32 players expected to suit up.

“We are still a little bit behind where we want to be at this point, but we are continuing to push forward and hope to be able to get some early success,” said True.

With the Eagles scheduled to visit Oxford Hills in week two and host Cony the third week, True feels it’s important for Mt. Ararat to get at least one win early to give his team some confidence.

“I think it’s important to have early success to keep the kids buying into the system,” said True. “Everyone is tough in Class A. I can see a large improvement in our effort and attitude. The kids hear me say often to ‘pay attention to detail.’ They are getting better.”

True will rely heavily on his 10 seniors and 14 juniors. Senior quarterback and captain Jake Liedman returns and will also play defensive back, while senior running backs Ryan Smith (captain, DB), Greg Wallace (defensive line) and Joey Burr (linebacker) will hope to work opponents’ defenses inside and out.

Other returning seniors are Brandon Wyatt (wide receiver/ DB), captain Ryan Moody (offensive line/LB), captain John Dietlin (OL/LB), Tyler Norko (OL/DL), Zach Gray (OL/DL) and Brenden Jasper (OL/DL).

Juniors Jordan Castonguay (WR/DB), Nick Graney (tight end/LB), Alex Laurelez (RB/DB), Bru Abreu (RB/DL), Matt Laurelez (RB/DL), Caleb Hall (WR/DL), Dominic Burich (TE/DL), Connor Reed (OL/DL), Burton Packard (OL/DL), Brandon Jusseaume (OL/DL), James Stemp (OL/DL), Charlie LaVan (OL/DL), Cody Beebe (OL/DL) and Brandon Dionne (WR/DB) return, while sophomore newcomers are Pierce Knorr (OL/DL), Jacob Schoenberg (RB/DB), Danny Norzow (RB/LB), Austin Thomas (RB/DB), Mike Molello (OL/LB), Mike Tran (LB/OL), Jason Black (OL/DL) and Dylan Johnson (QB/DB).

“Lawrence and Bangor are the class of the league again this year, and I see Skowhegan and Messalonskee being tough, so the league is solid again,” said True. “For us, we need to take advantage of what I call ‘game-changers.’ When we get a turnover, we have to take advantage, and when we commit a turnover or a penalty, not compound the problem. If we can do that, I think we will find success this season.”

Girls soccer

Coming off a 9-4-1 regular season last year and an Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal loss to Waterville, Sam Chard said good-bye to his starting goaltender and many of his defenders, midfielders and forwards, including a few four-year starters.

“We did lose a lot of talent, but not only that, we lost some great leaders,” said Chard, whose squad opens the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference season on Sept. 1 at Lewiston. “The team this year is very young, not only in class but also in varsity experience.”

Chard will lean heavily on his seniors, led by strikers Sydni Clark (six goals last year), Maddison Prescott (three) and Sonja Robert (two), along with midfielders Kristi Willey and Chelsea Crawford (two).

“We have Maddison back after being out for the season last fall due to an injury, and her speed will be a threat to many teams,” said Chard. “We also have Sydni Clark, who was formerly a defensive player and has great touch as a scorer. Sonja and Kristi are also former defensive players who will add to our offense. Plus, (senior newcomer) Celia Ouellette is a constant threat on the wing with her speed and intensity.”

Junior returnees are Sierra Gilley (MF), Connie Hodge (MF) and Danielle Krause (D), while the veteran sophomores are Rebecca Schuman (D), Libby Ouellette (F), Christine Levesque (MF), Katy Labbay (D) and Priscilla Whitney (MF).

With the departure of so many players, Chard has a bevy of newcomers. Sophomores Lindsey Cornelison (MF), Lauren Grant (D), Michelle Pelletier (GK), Kaitlin Volk (D) and Lauren Williams (GK), along with freshmen Natalie Burch (D), Summer Gray (MF), Tabbi Parr (MF) and Torri Pelletier (MF) give Chard several options.

“Patience and perseverance will be the keys to our success this year,” said Chard, who faces tough competition this season with rival Brunswick twice, Bangor, Cony and Messalonskee. “Yes, we have a tough schedule, but every game should be a challenge when you have such a young team.

“I think we’ll surprise some teams who have already written us off for their win. Our sophomore and freshman classes have a lot talent who can develop into some good players.”

Boys soccer

Veteran coach Rick Renaud is back to lead his Eagles into battle, with a tough opening game test scheduled for Aug. 31 at Lewiston (6 p.m.).

“Lewiston is good,” said Renaud, who returns 11 seniors and six juniors from a squad that finished 8-1-5 last season before losing to Messalonskee in the Eastern A quarterfinals. “Last year, those five ties were key, and I felt our kids became satisfied with tying. We need to go for the gold this year. This group needs to realize they can be special if they believe it.” Renaud’s senior leadership begins from the back, with Gabe Pelletier in goal.

“Now as a senior, Gabe has stepped up and is comfortable with how he leads his veteran defensive unit,” said Renaud.

Classmates Dan Purinton (midfield), Dylan Michaud (defense), Will Hirnak (MF), Alex LaPierre (D), Nate Santeramo ( forward), Eric Bowie (D), Jason Tome (MF), Jamie McCracken ( MF), Brian Johnson (F) and Ben Volk (F) are joined by senior newcomers Ryan Emmons (D) and Blaine Miller (D), giving Renaud 13 seniors.

Juniors Eric Knight (MF), Ty Veno (MF), Isaak Bradshaw ( MF), Justin Pierce (MF), Joe Thomas (D) and Griffin Stockford, along with sophomore Mike Crawford (D) return, and sophomore newcomers are Chris Pepin (MF), Jon Roux (GK), Dan Pelletier (D), Alex Halladay (D), Andrew McCracken (D) and Robbie Small (F).

“We still need to work on conditioning and just believe,” said Renaud, who expects Bangor and Lawrence to be big challenges this year, along with rival Brunswick.

Golf

Three years ago, budget cuts took away the jayvee golf program at Mt. Ararat.

“The numbers dropped from 30 to 12 to the first year, down to 11 last year and this season we have just seven golfers so far,” said Mt. Ararat coach Rick Bartlett, whose smallish team opens at home against Oxford Hills on Tuesday.

Bartlett’s Eagles are paced by sophomores Tyler O’Connor (No. 1), TJ Ackerman (No. 2/3), senior Eric Farnsworth (No. 2/3) and junior newcomer Jeremy Williams (No. 4).

“The top four will be OK, but the challenge will be to work hard with the beginners to fill those last two spots and basically learn the rules as we move forward,” said Bartlett, who also has newcomers in senior Ben Foley and juniors Jack Mickels and Nick Dow. “I would like us to get through the first half of the season and come back competitive the second time through the schedule. I will be pleased if we can find a consistency.”

Cross country

Diane Fournier has 52 runners out for this year’s squad.

The boys look to repeat as KVAC champions, while the girls, who finished one point out of a KVAC title to rival Brunswick and came on strong to take the runner-up spot in the State Class A meet, look to take those two steps this year.

“The girls will be competitive, very good one through five, but we need to build up our strength in the six to 10 spots,” said Fournier, who will get a look at her squad today at Cony High School in the annual Laliberte Invitational. “On the boys’ side, we lost Andy Reifman-Packett and Seth Bryant to graduation, but like the girls, the boys are strong in those top five spots and will need to develop the rest to succeed.”

Fournier feels the Cheverus and Massabesic girls will be the teams to beat come state meet time, while in the KVAC, Brunswick and Hampden appear strong.

“As for the boys, I would imagine Bangor, Scarborough and South Portland to be there,” added Fournier.

Returning to the fold among the boys are seniors Colton Burne and Zach O’Connor, juniors Tyler Bard, Jake Demosthenes, Chandler Field, Jonah Levy, Nate MacKenzie, Shea Nelson, Jake Papa, Sam Wood, and sophomores Finn Becker, Ted Burns, Matt Gott and Kellen Radulski.

Newcomers are seniors Danny Catlin, Steven Fisher, Lukas Frenzel, Kevin Nolan, Joel York; juniors Nick Ranacourt, Deshaun Ulrickson; sophomores Thomas Emerson, Nick Rogers; and freshmen Harper Moutal, Jeremy Rodrigues, Alec Stuckey and Eddie Van Note.

Senior returnees for the Eagle girls are Jordana Jones, Lauren McNett, Elsie Morgan, Brennie Radulski, Addie Schneider, Lizzie Swanholm; juniors Alicia Caterina, Dani Ingle, Liz Kneebone, Kelly Lynch, Bailey Sullivan; and sophomores Abbey Morgan and Olivia Swan, while the newcomers are juniors Emma Chase, Emmie Cox; sophomores Isabella Leon, Nicole Ross, Amy Segars, Olivia Watson; sophomore Lidia Woofenden; and freshmen Reyanne Brooks, Bronwyn Caswell- Riday, Carmen Caterina, Sara Lamb and Emma Levy.