PRESQUE ISLE — The Northern Maine Community College Falcons have concluded their soccer season with a 5-6-1 record in the Yankee Small College Conference. The team, which competes in the conference’s Eastern Division, was recently honored with the league’s sportsmanship award.

Contributed photo
NMCC FALCONS — Members of the Northern Maine Community College Falcons’ soccer team are, in front from left, assistant coach Frank Pytlak, Sarah Kenneson, Kyle Murray, Josh Allen, Brandon Anthony, Ryan Blanchette, Nick McIntosh, Cody Robinson and head coach Bill Casavant. Back row, Simon Tutlis, Pat Goodall, Brad MacKenzie, Sam Clukey, Alex Myers and Matt Till. Absent when photo was taken was Bryce Keenan.
The YSMC is made up of 15 two- and four-year schools from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
After finishing 3-9-0 last year, third-year head coach Bill Casavant was pleased with his team’s performance in 2012.
“We are now playing in a very strong and competitive conference, which makes for significant challenges for us,” he said. “Just the fact the four-year schools have their players longer is an advantage but it also means they have an experience advantage as well.”
Casavant garnered coach of the year honors in the league. He said the team’s improvement is evident by the way it has played opponents the second time around, both this year and last.
“This is because our team worked hard every day and accepted the style of play I believe in,” Casavant said. “This year was no exception except we won more games and narrowly missed the playoffs. I could not be more proud of our players and their effort this season.”
This year’s Falcon squad was predominantly made up of former Aroostook County high school players. Brandon Anthony and Kyle Murray played for Central Aroostook, Nick McIntosh played at Washburn, Matt Till and Bryce Keenan at Caribou, Ryan Blanchette at Wisdom High School, Cody Robinson and Pat Goodall at Southern Aroostook and Sam Clukey and Josh Allen stayed close to home having played for Presque Isle.
The goalkeeper, Brad MacKenzie, played for Lawrence High. Simon Tutlis played for Leavitt High School and was a USCAA Academic All-American last season. Alex Myers played for Carrabec High School and Sarah Kenneson is from Carleton North High School in Bristol, New Brunswick.
Leading scorers this year were Allen and Anthony with 10 goals each. The Falcons are looking forward to next season and coach Casavant said that he is always looking for players both from the County and downstate to play for NMCC.