DANFORTH, Maine — The 2015 East Grand Viking boys soccer team will take to the field with heavy hearts this year, following the unexpected death of coach Andrew Latvis.
Latvis coached a variety of teams at the Danforth school over the past 23 years, and most recently spent the past 12 years as the varsity boys soccer coach.
A team of returning players, and promising young players will dedicate this season to their former coach, according to East Grand Athletic Director Chris Young. Taking over the team is another longtime Viking coach, Shaun Beaudoin, who has spent many years on the softball diamond at East Grand.
This year’s varsity squad returns eight starters and should have a strong offense and midfield, Young said. “How quickly the defense gets up and running may determine the outcome of many games,” he said. “The team has set a goal of qualifying for the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs for the first time in 14 years.”
Returning members of the Viking squad are junior midfielders Jake Davis, Philip Farley, Josh Jones and Jim Schuurman. “These four have all seen playing time since eighth grade and should make for a very strong midfield,” Young said.
The front line will feature senior Trevor Fronzcak, sophomore Thomas Gilman, freshman Lucas Young and eighth-graders Noah Sixberry and Matthew Cropley. “All of these student athletes are capable of scoring goals, but need to learn to work together with better passing accuracy for more goals,” he said.
On defense the goal area will be kept by a trio of East Grand players — sophomores Brady McEwen, Linden Stoddard and Thomas Gilman may all see time in goal, with McEwen getting the nod early. Fullback spots will be covered by junior Wyatt Oliver, along with freshman Matthew Apgar, and the sweeper’s role will go to junior Peter Apgar. The stopper is yet to be determined, Young said.
“With hard work and growth throughout the season the Vikings should be competitive,” he said.
East Grand opens its season against Shead in Eastport on Friday at 5 p.m.
