By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
LIMESTONE — The Eagle boys’ varsity soccer team is off to a rough start, but coach Jon Hamilton is optimistic things
will get better soon.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
Eagle sophomore back Zeb Hardy clears the ball away from Fort Fairfield’s Chris Giberson during action Monday in Fort Fairfield.
Limestone-MSSM is off to an 0-5 start, dropping four of its first five matches by a combined margin of 35-3 while also suffering a 1-0 defeat to Van Buren last Tuesday.
“We have struggled with injuries early in the season, ranging from concussions, muscle tears and back injuries,” Hamilton said. “I’m hoping if we can get everyone off the ‘disabled list,’ we can turn our season around.”
He said the overall health of the team is improving and that his full team may be on the field sometime this week.
The Eagle defense includes junior Sam Kupiec in goal, with junior Grier Osterman at sweeper, sophomore Ahmed Beshir at stopper and sophomores Zeb Keith Hardy and Brennan Lane on the wings.
Kupiec is in his first year at the position, having replaced the graduated Bret Butler, but is very athletic and has earned the starting nod. Osterman owns a strong foot and takes most of the free kicks and Beshir has a nose for the ball and Hamilton has high expectations for him.
Hardy is a hard worker and has become one of the team’s leaders, while Lane is a newcomer who has immediately stepped in to make an impact.
“I learned after our first few games that we need to concentrate on our defense,” Hamilton said. “If we have a strong defense, it will create a strong offense.”
Center midfielder Anas Beshir, a junior, owns excellent ball skills and is always looking to improve his game. He is flanked by freshman Travis Hatfield, who shows great potential, and sophomore Joey Weeks, who moves up from back.
Senior Tristan Kirk has been the Eagles’ leading scorer the past two years and is back at striker. Two of Kirk’s classmates are on the wings, with Chris Bernier on the right side and Brandon Nadeau on the left. Bernier is tall and is adept at heading the ball, while Nadeau specializes in corner kicks and is also capable of finishing close to the goal.
The substitutes are senior Tyler Morgan, freshman Sean Hale, freshman Matthew Hancock, sophomore Bret Morgan, sophomore David Smith and senior Michael Mattoon. Sophomore Tyler Simmons will miss the season due to injury.
Limestone-MSSM began the season against three outstanding opponents in Easton and Wisdom, two of the best teams in Class D, along with Class C power Madawaska. The schedule should start to even out and Hamilton is hoping that first victory comes soon.
“Since game one, I have seen tremendous strides made but we need to continue to work hard and improve,” Hamilton added.
