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HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

The quest begins again

Waterville, Winslow girls set sights high

By Gary Hawkins ghawkins@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

There are some concerns with both the Waterville and Winslow girls programs, but most coaches would gladly take them considering the history of success at both schools.

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WINNING SMILES: The Winslow High School girls soccer team won the Eastern Maine Class B title and reached the Class B state championship game for the fifth time in six seasons last fall. The Black Raiders open their season today when they play at Lincoln.

File photo by Jeff Pouland

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The high school soccer season opens today for most teams while a few begin their schedule Saturday.

Over the past three seasons, Waterville has posted a record of 49-3-2, won a Class A state championship (2008) and two Eastern Maine titles. Winslow has appeared in five of the last six Class B state championship games, including last year.

Waterville, which opens at Lawrence tonight, returns a sound group that reached the Eastern Maine Class A title game last season, including senior striker Jordan Pellerin who scored a school record 51 goals. The Purple Panthers return eight players, including four seniors, but are not the favorite in the northern division of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference, according to coach Ian Wilson.

"The consensus has it in our division Bangor is considered the favorite," Wilson said.

Waterville plays at Bangor on Sept. 14 and hosts the Rams in October. Wilson is using a different formation this season and said it may take some time for his players to find their rhythm. This should pose no problem for Pellerin, who nonetheless will draw a lot of attention.

"If a team focuses too much on Jordan, we're lucky to have some players who can help her," Wilson said. "(Forward) Abbie Webster has gotten better every year."

Winslow is dealing with some key injuries, notably top sophomore forward Alliyah Veilleux, who is still recovering from an injury sustained in summer basketball. Coach Scott Wood said it's possible Veilleux could play soon but could take awhile to get into game shape.

"I think she's going to play, it's just a matter of time when," said Wood, whose team plays at Lincoln tonight. Also injured for the Black Raiders is senior defender Kelsea Bouchard. Winslow has a strong group of defenders returning, however, but the offense only produced five goals in preseason.

"(Veilleux) had 19 goals last year," Wood said. "If you add up the goals of everyone else on the team, it doesn't add up to 19."

The Messalonskee girls, who play at Mt. Blue, could also contend in the KVAC A northern division. The Eagles return 10 players led by senior midfielder Ali Omsberg while senior forward Marlie Mochamer leads a Mt. Blue squad that should contend for the playoffs.

The Messalonskee boys, who host Mt. Blue, bring back several starters who just missed out on the playoffs last season. The Waterville boys host Lawrence and should also contend for the postseason while a strong Erskine boys team opens its season Saturday at Mt. Ararat.

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com