Staff Writer
The East Grand Lady Vikings soccer team under fourth-year coach and school athletic director Chris Young, is looking to continue its steady progress this season.
Last year, the Lady Vikings went 6-6.
“In each of the past four years, the girls soccer team has improved upon the previous season,” said Young. “The Vikings will look for a big jump this year and a spot in the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs.
Two key midfielders, Kaitlyn Beaudoin and Jennifer Armstrong, graduated last year, but the Lady Vikings return a “high powered” offense led by senior Shaunna Beaudoin and sophomore Lauren Morse, according to Young.
“The two accounted for 34 goals last year,” he said. “Beaudoin set the school record for goals scored as a junior with 54 and will build on that number this year. Morse has tallied 17 goals in two years for the Vikings with 10 scored last year.”
Senior Felicia Cowger is a front-line starter, while anchoring the midfield are junior Theresa Cousins and sophomore Cassidy Woo and Adreanna Phillips. An experienced group of players, sophomore Allie McEwen at sweeper, senior defenders Elisha Farley and Emily Massey and freshman stopper Kim Stoddard, will defend the net.
The Lady Vikings have two goalies for this season with sophomore Chelsea Winiarski and senior Jayne Cousins.
“Both keepers will see time in the net,” said Young.
The East Grand girls’ bench is strong, according to their coach, with sophomore forward Bayleigh Rowe “getting plenty of playing time up front,” along with five eighth-graders, who will see time on the varsity roster. Forwards Paige Young and Sahara Stoddard, midfielders Sonia Strawn and Hannah Crone and defender Stephanie Russell also will make contributions to the team.
“With good numbers for the first time in years, practices can be more competitive and that makes our team better in games,” said Young. “I look for this team to have one of the best seasons in recent history for East Grand soccer.”
Last Saturday, Easton (7-2-1) easily overtook East Grand, 10-1 in Danforth.
Taylor Brown collected a hat trick, while Carla Halverson and Kylee Carter hit for two goals apiece to lead the Bears, while goalie Hannah Ferris blocked eight shots.
For East Grand, 1-1, goalie Winiarski set back 11 of 22 shots faced.
