HOULTON, Maine — For an athlete, there is no greater feeling than competing for, and winning, a state championship.
And for two members of the Houlton girls soccer team — Claire Gilpatrick and Rebecca Howe — that feeling is something they have in common with their mothers.
Houlton defeated Madison 1-0 Saturday at Hampden Academy to collect just the school’s second state championship in girls soccer, and the first one in 30 years. Houlton last won the state crown in 1987 when the school competed in Class B. That Shire team beat Lincoln Academy 4-1 for the state title.
Members of the 1987 team, which was coached by Joe Feeney, included Marianne Christensen, Laura Buswell, Rochelle Corey, Paula Lee, Barbara Nagle, Albertine Dunphy, Nicole Hutchinson, Jennifer Kelley, Kristen Wittine, Katie Kruhm, Beth Hunt, Holly Stewart, Erica Raymond, Tara Gallop, Ellen Lee, Valerie Coolong, Tracy Cheney, Stephanie Swallow, Anne Marciniak, Sara Buswell and Megan Putnam.
Stephanie (Swallow) Howe and Tara (Gallop) Gilpatrick were members of that 1987 state championship team and were on hand Saturday to watch their daughters win a state title of their own.
“I was definitely more nervous as a parent watching as opposed to playing,” Howe said. “I told Rebecca the same thing before the postseason games as I have all season … ‘Play hard, win every 50/50 ball and don’t hesitate.’ If you stop to think about whether you should go for it or not then you’re already a step behind.”
Howe added she told her daughter after the state game to “embrace it and let the winning soak in because you’re making memories you’ll always remember.”
Gilpatrick said she told her daughter throughout the week leading up to the state game to simply relax and enjoy the moment.
“I told her there was absolutely nothing to be nervous about,” she said. “You’ve already gone as far as you can go. There’s no fear of, if I don’t play my ‘A’ game today, I’m not advancing. All of that pressure is gone. You’ve already advanced as far as you can. Play hard, for 80 more minutes, harder than you ever have, have fun and leave it all on the field.”
Gilpatrick added that watching the postseason games as a fan and parent was more nerve wracking than actually playing and she was surprised at how overwhelmed with emotion she was when Houlton won.
“Honestly, having been there, and having felt the same feelings and excitement, it pales in comparison to watching your child experience the same,” she said. “I didn’t expect it and it completely caught me off guard, but it truly is more exciting as a proud parent. I’m just so proud of these girls after all of the disappointment, injuries, rival teams (Orono) always getting in the way leading up to this point to capture the title is just awesome.”
For Rebecca Howe and Claire Gilpatrick, winning states is another special bond they can share with their mothers
“I think it’s pretty awesome,” Rebecca said. “I feel very fortunate to share this experience with my mom.”
“The fact we both hold the only state titles in Houlton girls soccer history is crazy to me,” Claire added.
Both moms also noted that when they won their state title, they did not get a shiny gold ball like their daughters. Back then, the team was simply presented a plaque for their efforts. That plaque will sit next to the Shires’ gold ball in the school’s trophy case, further linking the success of mother and daughter.
Another former Shire champion also came to watch the game. Valerie Coolong Gamage made the trek from Boothbay Harbor just to watch the Shires, and to cheer for children of her former classmates.
“Seeing the girls win the Gold Ball was a highlight for me,” she said. “At 46, it would seem impossible to feel such anticipation for the kick-off of a game I was not playing in, but it was real. It seemed to take forever to get to Hampden, but it was worth it.”
Coolong Gamage said Houlton played exceptional defense and showed such tenacity.
“It would have made every member of our team (of 30 years ago) proud,” she said. “That right there is the very best kind of stuff that life can bring. Just a joy.”
