Hornets confident after big victory
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
ASHLAND — The Hornet girls are undefeated at 6-0, but didn’t get their first real test until meeting up with Washburn Sept. 9. It was in that game that they pulled off a huge surprise, not only by beating the defending Eastern Maine champs, but by holding the Beavers’ lethal offensive attack without a goal.
Coach Peter Belskis isn’t content, especially since the two teams meet again Thursday at 7 p.m. in Ashland. Still, he loves the makeup of his youthful team, which features five sophomores and a freshman in key positions on the field.
“We continue to strive to get better as a team,” said Belskis, who is in his eighth season coaching the girls’ team and 35th overall. “We’re still looking for the right combinations and formations, but I love our versatility and the ability to play different styles.”
The Hornets showed that trait off against Washburn in rolling to the 4-0 win, changing up defensive roles based on Washburn’s lineup of dangerous offensive producers. “If I see an advantage, I switch people around,” Belskis admits.
Although Ashland has those strong underclassmen, the seniors and juniors are also major factors. Rachel Gillis and Allyx Beaulier typlify the team’s versatility as both are capable of playing multiple positions. Beaulier is currently a wing back, while Gillis is on the midfield line.
“They are smart and knowledgable and in tune to the team’s philosophy,” he said. “They are very dependable.”
The other senior is goalie Macie Bellanceau, who has started since her freshman campaign. She has three shutouts to her credit so far and plays the position to her strengths, according to Belskis.
The junior class features two starters. Marissa Chasse has 10 goals to her credit and is the team’s striker, although she can also play midfield.
“She’s the heart and soul of our offense,” Belskis said. “She’s definitely one of the most intense players I’ve coached.”
Lacey Good starts on the front line at right wing and is a very tactical player as a newcomer to the starting lineup.
The sophomore class has nine of the team’s 19 players. Savannah Flint is one of the fastest players with the ball in Class D and plays left wing. After scoring 20 goals as a freshman, she has just four so far, but Belskis knows she is capable of breaking out.
LeAnn McNally, who played right wing last year, is the center midfielder and “is a tremendous passer with a tremendous first step. “She would rather distribute the ball than score,” he said, noting she has four assists to her credit along with two goals.
Caitlin Paradis has moved to stopper back from wing back and is called upon to match up with the opposition’s smaller and quicker players. “She’s great on the counter attack,” said the veteran coach.
Laura Sturgeon usually gets the assignment on the opponent’s more physical offensive players and plays a wing back with the ability to move into the stopper spot. She is also the Bellanceau’s backup in goal.
Chelsea Vaillancourt is a second-year player who is reliable as a midfield wing.
The lone freshman in the lineup is Cassidy Pelletier, who at 5-11 handles the sweeper position. Belskis said she is a “dynamic player with unlimited potential.”
Pelletier takes a majority of the team’s free kicks. In the last two games, she has six goals — five coming on direct free kicks and the sixth on a penalty kick. “And she’s deadly on corner kicks,” Belskis added.
The key defensive substitutes are juniors Brittany Harris and Sophie Theriault and sophomore Sydney Curtis, while sophomore Erica Cyr is a halfback reserve. Freshmen Hannah Stratton and Jazmine Jackson are also capable fill-ins at midfield and sophomore Monica Sperry adds depth to the position. Cassie Bolstridge is the other Hornet team member, with Kali Pelletier and Carly Fredericks serving as managers. Holly Chasse is the assistant coach.
“We don’t want to peak too soon,” Belskis said. “We’ll continue to focus on defense, concentrate on the details and keep working on being a good passing team. But I really like this group.”
