LIMESTONE, Maine — Six senior starters, four of which play key positions in the middle of the field, have the Eagle girls’ soccer team striving for improvement from last year’s 2-12 campaign.
Limestone-MSSM, which now plays in the Class C ranks after making the move from ‘D,’ are once again coached by Becky West. She said despite the large senior contingent on the roster, the Eagles were forced to replace many players off last year’s team due to graduation and injuries.
Kareena Woodworth and Emma Vannorsdall were All-Aroostook players in 2014 who will be missed — Woodworth to graduation and Vannorsdall to a concussion — along with starters Elly Bencivenga and Annie Sinclair. Brittany Clark and Lillian Costello were role players from a year ago who also must be replaced.
Still, West said the team is coming together and, with eight games remaining, still have time to make a push for the playoffs.
“We have some great individual talent and we are focusing on communication and working together as a team,” she added.
Leading the seniors, Kassee Albert starts at center midfield, Francesca Armstrong at striker, Jessica Tucker at sweeper and Jackie Peers at goalkeeper. Sarah Hemphill and Leah Kihn are other 12th-graders, starting at right wing and right fullback, respectively.
Junior Bridget Tompson gets the nod as stopper back. A trio of sophomores start, as Marissa Emery plays left fullback, Lily Tedford left wing and Samantha Zwecker left mid. The lone freshman among the starting 11 is Megan Tucker at right wing.
West has a bench consisting of eight players who could be called upon to aid the Eagles in certain situations. They include senior Cecilia Howard, juniors Briannah Becker, Rebecca Dillenbeck and Sierra Dann, sophomores Victoria Moore and Claudia Serban and freshmen Karoline Dillenbeck and Amanda Roy.
Emily Michaud and Virginia Hugo-Vidal are the team managers.
“Improvement” is the common theme when West talks about goals for the remainder of the season.
“Our goals are to improve as a team,” she said. “To improve each day as we learn more about each other and playing together and to improve our record from last year.”
