FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — With half of the team’s roster consisting of freshmen, Fort Fairfield coach John Ala realizes it will be an interesting transition season for his Tiger boys varsity soccer team.
Still, Fort Fairfield does return seven starters from a team that finished 6-8 last year and the hope is that the squad will be competitive, while still building toward the future.
The Tigers open at home Friday against last year’s Class D North runners-up Wisdom Pioneers and Ala is still in the midst of figuring out starting roles.
“We have a young group that is working hard to play the game properly,” said Ala, who is beginning his second stint as the boys coach at Fort Fairfield, having coached the squad from 2004-17 before taking over the girls program the past four seasons.
“That begins with developing individual skills and organizing team concepts,” he added. “We want to become a team that can possess the ball, play with confidence and lead with competitiveness.”
The lone senior on the roster is Zak Gerhauser, who was a starter on defense in 2021. The junior class has six players — forward Silas Libby, midfielder Joel Cormier and defenders Jake Beaulieu, Josh Schupbach and Gabe Theriault and forward/goalkeeper Micah Daigle.
Brett Senal, who also splits time between keeper and forward, joins midfielder/defender Ian Willard as the team’s only sophomores.
The freshmen contingent includes defenders Nick O’Neal and Mason Mitchell, midfielders Cayden Ala, Graedon King and Ethan Willard; and forwards Fritz Gabo, Logan Carter, George Solomon and Jadan Lausier.
“We have been focusing on developing individual skills and learning team concepts as we work on determining roles and responsibilities on the field,” Ala said. “This young group is determined to learn how to play the game together. They work hard and are showing strong coachability.”
Jon Cole, Ryan Cormier and Caleb Daigle are Ala’s assistant coaches.
