By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Versatility and veteran leadership will be keys to this year’s Houlton varsity girls soccer team.
The Lady Shires return nine of their 11 starters from last year’s squad, which finished 12-3. That team lost a playoff game on the 10th penalty kick.
“It was just a brutal ending to the 2012 season,” said coach Tim Tweedie. “That sticks with you for a long time, especially when you dominated your opponent 90 percent of the game. But, I’m extremely pleased about the way the girls have reacted and instead of wallowing about it, they’ve used it as fuel for this season.
“This team seems to have a focus that is unlike that of any team I’ve coached in the eight years I’ve been doing this,” he added. “They’re appear hungry and determined. I think they are out to prove that they’re capable of making a deep run in the playoffs.”
The versatility of the team will be seen early in the season as starting senior goalie Tanika Toby is sidelined with a badly sprained ankle. So, senior Bre Longstaff will be her replacement in the net.
“We’re hopeful of having Tanika back for the season opener, but the timetable for her return is a little questionable,” explained Tweedie. “She’s played great all summer long, so the sooner we can get her back, the more complete we will be.
“Bre is a very athletic kid that has played every position on the soccer field in her 3-plus years on the team,” added Tweedie. “She has the ability to score 10 or 15 goals, but her versatility and willingness to fill holes as they arise allows everyone else to do their job better without having to completely change things. I can’t say enough good things about her.”
The other four starting seniors are Samantha Keegan and Abby Deveau, who have anchored the defense that allowed 13 goals in 15 games last season. Jessy Dickison is another versatile player, making the switch from fullback to midfield to help solidify the line. And, Alana Pratt is the offensive prowess of the team, as she averaged 20 goals per season for the last two years.
“While Sam is a more physical back that’s not afraid to mix it up with opponents, Abby is a quick little ‘pest’ that usually has the assignment of marking the opponent’s best player,” said Tweedie. “I look to them for vocal leadership on the field as they can see the entire field from the back.
“This year, Jessy Dickison has moved from defense to central-midfielder and she has done so seamlessly,” added Tweedie. “Jessy is coming off a season in which she garnered a ton of recognition and awards for her play in the back. But, like Bre, she has agreed to change positions for the sake of the team and I have no doubt that she will be one of the top midfielders in all of Class C.
“Big things are expected of Alana and I’m sure she’s set that as a benchmark for herself for this season,” Tweedie said. “Often times, she has to contend with two defenders marking her before she even receives the ball, but Alana takes it in stride. She puts her head down and does her job. I’m glad I’m coaching her and not against her because I don’t know how I would prepare for her defensively.”
Tweedie is excited about opening the season with one of the deepest rosters he has had in his coaching tenure.
“I’m looking to go 16 or 17 deep every game in order to keep fresh bodies on the field,” he said. “We are very quick and we work very hard, so we will need that many girls out there to maintain the level of play we want.”
This year, an Australian exchange student, Breanna Briggs, will be playing for the Lady Shires, and coach Tweedie likes what he sees from her on the field.
The team’s goal is a simple one: anything less than a deep playoff run will be a disappointment.
“We are built to contend this season and I know this group wants to prove that they are better than last season’s quarterfinal loss would allude,” Tweedie said. “We just need to get it done.”
