PI girls sparked by lineup change
By Kevin Sjoberg
PRESQUE ISLE – Every so often, a coach is forced to make adjustments to his lineup in order to get his team to play to its potential. Such was the case for the Presque Isle Wildcat girls and coach Ralph Michaud, who tweaked his alignment following the first regular season game.
“We had some breakdowns in the Caribou game [a 5-3 loss at home on Sept. 1], so we moved (junior) Chelsea Nickerson back on defense,” Michaud said.
“She brings a toughness and attitude you need to have and her teammates have a lot of confidence in her,” he added.
The Wildcats have lost just once since, but have important games remaining against Fort Kent (played Tuesday) and Mattanawcook (Thursday) as well as a rematch at Caribou (Monday) to close out regular season play. The team was ranked third in Eastern Maine Class B as of Tuesday morning with its 8-2-1 record.
PI entered the home game against the Warriors riding a five-game winning streak and Michaud says he believes his young team is starting to finds its groove.
“We’re taking steps forward,” he said. “You can see the progress … we’re definitely getting better.”
PI has allowed just six goals since surrendering five in the opener. The defense has five shutouts to its credit.
The Wildcats are led by their six captains: senior wing Mackenzie Pinette, senior striker Shae Adler, senior back Chelsea Lynds, senior wing Lindsey Michaud and juniors Nickerson and Kayla Richards, who plays midfield. Pinette, Nickerson, Richards and starting junior midfielder Elise Jones were all members of the 2008 EM championship squad.
Junior Hillary Albert is the starting stopper back, while sophomores Meredith Stewart (goalie), Chandler Guerrette (striker), Megan Ireland (wing) and Karlee Bernier (back) also start for Michaud’s squad.
Guerrette is the scoring leader with nine goals and four assists, while Richards has seven goals and two assists and Ireland six goals and two assists so far. Nickerson has chipped in with five goals and five assists despite also being heavily counted on for her play on the defensive end of the field.
Michaud comes off the bench as do the other members of the team – all sophomores. They include Haley Bouchard, Kailey Shaw, Emma Bartlett, Katelyn McPherson, Liza Buck and Abbie Carrier.
The key for Presque Isle, which has been the case throughout the season and will be looking ahead toward the playoffs, is the ability to collectively concentrate while on the field.
“When we focus and play hard, we can be a pretty good team,” Michaud said. “We’ve definitely taken some steps in the right direction.”
Mark White is in his 10th year as Michaud’s assistant. Stacia Caron is the team’s manager.
Contributed photos/Dave Allen Graphics
SPEEDSTER – Sophomore Chandler Guerrette heads toward the goal during Presque Isle’s early-season match against Caribou. The two teams play again in Caribou Monday at 7 p.m.
MEGAN IRELAND of the Wildcat girls dribbles the ball while being trailed by Caribou’s Paige Small during their Sept. 1 contest played in Presque Isle. Ireland starts at wing for the 8-2-1 Wildcats.
