PRESQUE ISLE – As he heads into his first year as the head coach of the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s soccer team, Dan Williams is excited and optimistic about the team’s prospects this season.
Contributed photo/UMPI Athletics
OWL WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM – Members include, front row from left, Elena Estrada, Kellie Peers, Jackie Raymond, Desiree Smith, Chelsea Boudreau, Brittany Humphrey, Brooke Long, Sarah Hebert, Maryl Shaw and Carly Gillis. Back, head coach Dan Williams, Katie Smith, Susan Lavertu, Lainey Herring, Carolynn Tuck, Taylor Usser, Marrisa Ouellette, Jennifer Ouellette, LeAnn Abbott, Justine Cyr, and assistant coach Makayla Gahagan.
“I am pleased with the numbers and the standard of soccer I’ve seen from my players,” commented Williams. “They are working hard and enjoying each training session.”
Williams is a native of England and has spent the last few summers as a coach with the Dutch Soccer Academy, which is based in Caribou and holds camps throughout Aroostook County and in other parts of the state as well as in New Hampshire. He now lives in Presque Isle year round. Ironically, he replaces the co-director of DSA, Tammy Krul, at the helm of the UMPI women’s team.
The Lady Owls return nine players from last year’s team, led by lone senior and captain Chelsea Boudreau of Wallace, Nova Scotia. Boudreau’s intense play and competitive spirit at the midfield position will help to solidify her UMPI team.
Juniors Desiree Smith of Thomaston and Carolynn Tuck of Brewer will help initiate the offensive surge as forwards, while sophomore and team 2009 rookie of the year, Lainey Herring of Houlton will look to resume her role as the team’s leading goal scorer this season.
Junior Jackie Raymond of Ashland will return to her role on the defensive end. She is joined by sophomores Katie Smith of Caribou, Maryl Shaw of Fort Fairfield and Kellie Peers of Caswell.
In goal for her second consecutive season is Taylor Ussery of La Verne, Calif. Ussery’s determination and leadership abilities between the pipes, will help to unite the Owls’ defense.
UMPI adds a slew of talented newcomers to its team this season, led by freshman Susan Lavertu of Madawaska, who will step in as a center midfielder for the Owls. She will be complemented at the midfield by freshmen Elena Estrada of Dover, Del., Jennifer Ouellette of Van Buren, LeAnn Abbott of Sumner and Carly Gillis of Middleton, Nova Scotia.
First-year player Brittany Humphrey of New Gloucester will also play a midfield spot. An outstanding softball player for UMPI, Humphrey is an academic senior who wanted to return to the soccer field for her final year in college.
Another newcomer to the pitch for this season is Brittany Bearden of Presque Isle, who will be playing on the Owl attack as a forward. Freshmen Sarah Hebert of Fort Fairfield, Marissa Ouellette of Van Buren and Justine Cyr of Fort Kent will help guard the UMPI goal on defense. Newcomer Brooke Long, who played her high school soccer in Presque Isle but who comes to UMPI from Mannheim, Germany, will look to step in as defenseman for the Owl squad. She also has the ability to score and be an offensive threat.
“I am confident that we will be competitive this season. Our goal is to win the conference championship,” stated Coach Williams. “We will aim to win every game, however, I want my players to enjoy playing the sport that they love; that is what’s most important.”
