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BY MATT DIFILIPPO
Staff Writer 08/30/2008

Staff Writer

Waterville ended last season with five one-goal victories, including four in the playoffs to win the Class B state title. The Purple Panthers were a clinic in peaking at the right time, and will try to follow that pattern again this season.

Like last year, Waterville has no superstars, although junior Kayla Pellerin has obvious skills. Balance and speed worked for the Panthers last fall, and should help make them a contender in Eastern B again.

Maranacook faced Waterville in that state title game, and while the Black Bears lost a few players to graduation, they are hoping to get back to the Class B final.

"It's a new year, so we're not going to live in the past," Maranacook coach Julie Schmidt said. "But they definitely got a taste of what it was all about last year, and they want it even more this year."

Maranacook should be solid around the field, led by forward Ally Kennedy and midfielders Sierra Boucher and Kacie Laferriere.

When Waterville hosted Winslow in last year's Eastern B quarterfinals, it was hard to tell which was the better team. Waterville eventually won 2-1 in overtime, in one of the most exciting games of the season.

"We look back at that and we say, 'What if? Almost,' " Winslow coach Mary Beth Bourgoin said. "But we also look at what we brought back. There's a lot of upbeat attitudes."

Winslow's defense is led by back Lindsay Gordon, a second-team all-KVAC selection last fall, and Emma Walters, a four-year starter in goal.

Mt. View's best players last fall, Liz Lincoln and Molly Arute, are now at the University of Maine. The standouts are now on a tough defense which is led by seniors Cassandra St. Clair and Jordan Reynolds.

Mt. View coach Gloria Clark is hoping the Mustangs can develop cohesion after losing six starters to graduation, and is handing the goalie job to junior Juni Garvin, whom she describes as aggressive.

Nokomis is always right around the middle of the pack in Eastern B, and is looking to upgrade its offense to move up in the standings. Junior Sabrina Vaillancourt led Nokomis with 11 goals last fall, and coach Katie Thompson likes the confidence and aggressiveness shown by sophomore goalie Maria Adams.

"I think it's the first time we've had someone who's really, really excited at being in goal, and that's good," Thompson said.

Oak Hill is hoping this is finally the year it breaks through and makes the playoffs. The program is making strides, and there is talent all over the field. The Raiders were without a goalie until sophomore forward Becca Lehotey volunteered for the position in the offseason, and her athleticism is helping to make up for her inexperience.

Maine Central Institute (Nancy Hughes) and Erskine (Lori Dube) both have new coaches who previously held the same job at the school.

Class C

Winthrop finished 9-5-1 last season with a senior-laden roster. The Ramblers have only seven returning players this fall, including junior back Lauren McHatten, who could miss the season with a thumb injury.

This means the Ramblers are reconfiguring in every area. Coach Sharon Coulton thinks the offense has enough speed and aggressiveness to score goals, and is counting on the experience of goalies Emily Vickerson and Katie Michelson to ease the burden on the young defense.

Hall-Dale will be looking to move up after finishing 5-9-1 last season. The Bulldogs are working on defense and trying to find consistent scorers, but have the potential to improve.

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