PI needs production from youth

The Presque Isle girls had another successful season in 2006, going 13-1 in the regular season before winning a home quarterfinal against Medomak Valley and falling to Ellsworth in the Eastern Maine Class B semis, 1-0.     Head coach Ralph Michaud said there will be a large void to fill, as the five seniors on last year’s squad were all major contributors to the success of the team.
“Needless to say, we will be very young, especially on the defensive end of the field,” noted Michaud, who begins his 10th season at the helm.
The starting strikers are juniors Kayla Legassie and Brittany Bearden, with sophomore Kailee Ireland coming off the bench at that position.
The midfield group is led by junior Sarah Porter, who was a Maine State Coaches Association all-state player in 2006. She is joined by senior Carmen Allen, with sophomores Elizabeth Kofstad and Alyssa Huston coming off the bench.
The wings are senior Shantelle Cyr and junior Katrina Whittier, with senior Melissa McGary, sophomore Kacey Wilcox and the lone Wildcat freshman, Tessa Ward, providing depth.
The starters on defense will be juniors Amber Griffin, Caitlyn Esancy (a transfer from Fort Fairfield) and Hannah Cheney and sophomore Jodie Buckley. Sophomore Amy Grivois will see action in a reserve role.
Allisen Donovan is a senior starting in goal, with sophomore Kelsey Park the back-up.
Katelynn Hartt and Brittany Perry are the team’s managers. Mark White is back as the assistant coach.
“The keys to our success are to stay healthy and to have the younger players improve quickly,” Michaud said.