HOULTON, Maine – A talented returning roster should bode well for the Houlton girls soccer team this fall.
Under the guidance of fourth-year varsity coach Marina Cameron, the Shires have a number of talented returning players, as well as many newcomers eager to make their mark on the team.
“We are very hopeful of having a winning session,” Cameron said. “The girls are focused and determined and come to every practice with a desire to get better. We are happy to be back to a normal soccer season without restrictions.”
The Shires finished 7-2 last year during the regular season and were 8-3 overall. Houlton beat George Stevens Academy 8-1 in a preliminary game before falling to Central 2-1 in the quarterfinals. The Shires were without their coach and the team’s leading scorer for that game.
Houlton lost four starters – Breanne Barton, Sam Johnson, Olivia Henderson, and Mia Henderson – to graduation so it will need some newcomers to step up, particularly in the scoring department. Those four seniors were responsible for 24 of the team’s 65 goals last season.
“We definitely had some big shoes to fill, especially on the offensive side of the field,” Cameron said.
Members of the Shires are seniors Lydia Byron (midfield), Maddie Marino (midfield) and Natalie DeLucca (defense); juniors Emma McCarthy (goalie), Ella McCarthy (midfield), Macy Cram (defense), Gabby Gentle (midfield/forward), Amelia Callnan (defense), Kaitlyn Kenney (midfield/defense) and Alexandra Collins (defense).
The strong freshmen class features Avayah Norton (midfield/forward), Amelia Flewelling (midfield/forward), Mylee Sylvia (forward), Karyssa Kenney (midfield), Ryan Perfitt (defense), Hayley McGuire (midfield/forward) and Payton Collins (defense).
“We have a starting roster mostly composed of juniors and seniors, so we have a pretty veteran team who are familiar with one another and rotate well as a team,” Cameron said. “We have also welcomed a large freshmen class that is helping to balance out our roster.”
With Marino, the Shires have the team’s top scoring threat back this season. Marino tallied 16 goals last season, along with five assists. Gentle is another key scoring threat, as evidenced by her 10 goals and 11 assists as a sophomore.
The team also has back one of its best defenders in DeLucca, a Penobscot Valley Conference all-star a season ago.
“As the season progresses we will continue to work on improving our communication skills on the field,” Cameron said. “We are a fast team, but will continue to work on our conditioning, touches on the ball, and more.”
Last year was a difficult season for the Shires. Like many schools, COVID-19 issues arose, forcing the cancellation of several regular season games. Coach Cameron had to miss several games for COVID related reasons – including the team’s final playoff game.
“We are excited to be back playing a normal season,” the coach added.
Fort Kent, Madawaska, GSA, Lee Academy, Mattanawcook, Orono, and Calais are the squads Houlton will face this fall.
