NMCC soccer makes a noteworthy start

    The Northern Maine Community College soccer team began its season last Tuesday with a 1-0 exhibition victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle junior varsity.     Mitchell Panati scored the lone Falcons’ goal off a Luke Ireland assist at the 30-minute mark of the first half.
    The team had a road trip over the weekend, and began it with a 2-0 upset win over Unity College Saturday. Following a scoreless first half, Nathan Manning-Harris scored off a Juan Loubier assist at the 70-minute mark and Brandon Boulware knocked in a penalty kick in the 80th minute to give NMCC the victory.
    On Sunday, the Falcons competed well, but fell to New Hampshire Technical Institute, 2-0.
    Fourth-year coach Robbie Krul has been impressed by the early showing of his squad and hopes the team can be competitive against its Yankee Small College Conference opponents.
    Sam Petrie leads the NMCC defense from his goalie position. A freshman from Old Town, Petrie received accolades as a high school goalie, having participated in the Senior Bowl last fall.
    “I am looking for Sam to keep us in some very important games and make us a great competitor against some of the bigger schools in our conference,” Krul said.
    Also on defense is junior Jon Poisson of Limestone at sweeper and marking backs Ireland, Trent Legassie and Matthew Wright, all of Presque Isle.
    “They are all very tough and strong and give us an enormous advantage to win some big games,” Krul said.
    Freshman Aaron Putnam of Old Town will substitute on defense periodically and is learning and improving every practice, according to Krul.
    The Falcons will rely heavily on Panati, a Massachussetts native now residing in PI, as the playmaker in the midfield, along with attacking midfielder Nathan Manning-Harris of Easton, defensive midfielder Michael Condon of Ashland and outside midfielders Juan Loubier of Winslow and Brandon Boulware of Van Buren.
    Sophomore Andrew Poland of Round Pond will also see significant playing time.
    “Mixed with great ball skills, footwork and great crosses, they allow us to transition quickly from defense to offense and provide a very entertaining style of play,” Krul said of his midfield corps.
    Up front, senior captain Dave Whitman of Greenville and freshman Sean Daigle of Presque Isle lead the charge. “They are fast and strong and will keep any team’s defense very busy,” Krul said.
    Sophomore Justin St. Clair and freshman Jake Graham will see ample playing time to keep the front line fresh and keep the attacking going throughout the game.”
    NMCC will take on Southern Maine Community College in Augusta Thursday. The team’s first official home game of the season is set for Sunday against Central Maine Community College beginning at 1 p.m. at the Gehrig T. Johnson Athletic Complex in Presque Isle.