Still, team has lost 4 of first 5
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
LIMESTONE — Early on, the Eagle girls’ soccer team has demonstrated an ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
However, the team is 1-4, including three high-scoring defeats at the hands of Easton (5-4), Van Buren (8-5) and Fort Fairfield (5-4). The Eagles were also shut out by strong Class C squad Madawaska and recorded their lone win via shutout over Wisdom.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
Eagle defender Kaitlyn Bell, left, defends Fort Fairfield’s Nicole Giberson during Monday’s match.
First-year coach Becky West likes what she has seen so far for her undermanned squad, which played two of its first five games with only one substitute.
“I am proud to say these girls do not give up,” West said. “They gave everything they had until the horn sounded.”
Mariah Williams, a senior, is a veteran leader with plenty of speed and aggressiveness. She leads the team in goals with nine and assists with six.
Junior Ellyzabeth Bencivenga (six goals) and sophomore Chelsea Pelkey (three) also play on the front line and have been dependable scorers early on.
The defense has a couple experienced seniors, with Jordyn Hopkins back for another season as the starting goalkeeper and Kelsee Albert playing on the back line. Sophomore Kassee Albert, a sister to Kelsee, is another returning defender. Sophomore Jessica Tucker is a newcomer who also gets the nod at one of the fullback slots.
Melissa Cantafio, another senior has the versatility to play most anywhere on the field and gives West another solid veteran presence. Sophomores Ashley Savage, Jackie Peers and Abby Harvey round out the starting 11.
The team’s substitutes are sophomore Kaitlyn Bell, sophomore Sarah Hemphill, freshman Hui Kennedy, freshman Jessica Zhang and junior Annie Sinclair, who had been a starter but is out with an injury. West said their roles are vital as they could be inserted into any position at any time to give the starters a breather.
The coach said ball movement and teamwork have been stressed during preseason and early-season practice sessions and will continue. She said the defense needs to get sharper, while the offense, which has tallied 18 goals in five matches, has to continue to attack and generate shots on goal.
