New coach says hustle will carry Bears

    EASTON, Maine — The numbers she has to work with may be small, but that hasn’t deterred first-year coach Audra Kirk.

    It was a tough preseason for Kirk, a 22-year-old who coached the JV girls’ team in Presque Isle the past two years while attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
“We were having anywhere from four to seven girls at practice, which created conflict because we really couldn’t work on any type of formation,” she said, “but I feel so far I’ve developed a good relationship with the players. I had them set goals for the team and themselves and I want the girls to feel accomplished no matter the outcome of the season.”
Easton played its season opener with just 10 suited up, but is up to 12 players on the roster after having to bring up some eighth-graders from the middle school team. So far, the results have been mixed, but the team has been able to take two of its last three matches, over Van Buren and Washburn, and is 2-5 over all entering today’s contest against Wisdom in St. Agatha.
“We have some good leadership,” Kirk said. “It’s a tight-knit group and they are used to playing together, and that kind of cohesion on a team is irreplaceable, even with low numbers. Our positive attitude is going to be what keeps us in games.”
Emma Bonner is one of three seniors on the team. The speaking captain, Bonner plays midfield and can dominate the position with her great field sense, leadership and hustle.
Blake Bradley, the other 12th-grader, will handle the goal-keeping chores. She communicates well with her teammates, according to Kirk. Macy Currier is another defender who recently rejoined the team.
Elise Allen, Sara Gilman and Abby Currier are the juniors. Allen is a team captain who plays the sweeper position on defense. She is quick, strong and vocal. Gilman is another back who has great touch and is a hard worker, while Currier has excellent endurance, is quick off the ball and will play numerous positions on the field.
Isabelle Morin leads the sophomore group. She will see action in multiple positions and owns nice ball skills and a great touch on the ball.
Delaney Leach was to share goalkeeping duties with Bradley, but suffered a knee injury and is out indefinitely. Summer Guess and Delia Bonner are the other sophomores who will be counted on in their roles as forwards.
There are no freshmen on the Bears’ roster, but two eighth-graders are part of the mix. Cecilia Morin is an aggressive player who will play both up front and on defense. Lydia Ferris is another young player who plays forward and brings an exciting style of game.
Kirk said a good work ethic, which has been present from the preseason through the first seven matches, has been the Bears’ leading trait.
“We may not be the fastest, strongest or best team in the Heal Points, but we will be working the hardest at all times,” Kirk said. “We all agreed that we are going to work on endurance and conditioning at all times so we can contend with teams. The girls are really on board with keeping fit and working hard.”