DANFORTH, Maine — Last season, the East Grand girls soccer team won its first playoff game in more than 14 years. Now the Vikings will look to build on that positive momentum, which hopefully will translate into a lengthy playoff run.
East Grand Athletic Director Chris Young is back at the helm for his seventh season coaching the girls team and is optimistic for the upcoming year.
“We have eight returning starters and 12 returning players” Young said. “We will have to grow quickly to accomplish our goal of returning to the Eastern Maine Class D Playoffs. Gone are three seniors who all had big parts to play in that season. Returning however are some quality players who all played a lot.”
Last year, No. 7 East Grand beat No. 11 Shead, 3-2, in overtime in a preliminary home playoff game. The Vikings then fell to No. 2 Penobscot Valley of Howland, 4-0, in the quarterfinals.
The Lady Vikings return two time All-Aroostook sweeper senior Kim Stoddard who will anchor the defense as well as serving as the team’s speaking captain. Stoddard will be joined on the defense by rookie goalkeeper senior Bethany Lindsey, who played midfield and striker last year.
Sophomore Emily Russell and freshman Morgan Crone will play the fullback spots, and freshman Mallory Gilman will be the team’s stopper. At the midfield, juniors Paige Young and Hannah Crone will be joined by sophomore Haleigh Shay, who will play center mid and be counted on to score goals.
The team’s forwards consist of four players who will all see time up front — sophomore Kianna Caissie, freshmen Jennifer Crone and Sydney Cowger and eighth-grader Jordyn Cowger. This group is young and in need of playing time, but are all capable of scoring goals, the coach said.
Freshman Chole Crone will see time on defense and in the midfield, while sophomore Mackenzie Rowe will play a reserve defense spot.
“There are a lot of unknowns this season,” coach Young said. “How quickly we learn to play together will determine our final record.”
East Grand opens its season at Shead High School on Friday, at 3 p.m.
