2008 Beaver girls fill in the gaps on the soccer field

16 years ago
By Meridith Paterson  
Staff Writer

    WASHBURN – As team chemistry solidifies in pre-season training, head coach Ron Ericson projects that the opening games for Washburn girls’ varsity soccer will get the squad into playoff shape.
 

Image Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
    WASHBURN GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER. The 2008 Beavers are, from the left in front, manager Kyle McLaughlin, Angie Hernandez, Tia Dee, Brianna Hyde, Meghan Saucier, Morgan Berube, Lindsey Blackstone, Kristi Sperrey and Marlaina Spooner; in back, coach Ron Ericson, Amanda Preston, Rachel Donnelly, Felicia Cochran, Sarah Sjoberg, Rachel Palmer, Charley Chandler, Rebecca Campbell, Kelsey Churchill and Jordan Chandler; and, missing from the photograph, Courtney Johnson and Dakota Koch.

 

   The Beavers graduated four key players in striker Alex Bird, stopper Kelsee McLaughlin, center halfback Erica McDougal and sweeper Kristen Goupille. However, the 10 returning players have experience in filling in gaps.
    “We lost our leading scorer, Bird, just before harvest and we overcame that and still made it to semifinals,” explained Ericson about the 2007 season. The Beavers posted a 10-4-1 record last season, and after five straight years in the playoffs, three that included stints in the semifinals, stand to climb the Heal Points again.
    Starting in the Beaver goal in 2008 is Rachel Palmer with Sarah Sjoberg in the fullback position and Angie Hernandez in the sweeper spot. Rachel Donnelly, Felicia Cochran, Kelsey Churchill and Kristi Sperrey will take turns starting in the other two fullback positions.
    Donnelly returns to the field after sitting her sophomore year on the sidelines due to an injury.
    Starting in the midfield is Meghan Saucier, Charley Chandler and Lindsey Blackstone. Starting forward Morgan Berube kicked in 20 goals and five assists last year, and is joined by Rebecca Campbell and Dakota Koch in the forward positions.
    Also playing for the 2008 Beavers are juniors Jordan Chandler (fullback) and Courtney Johnson (fullback) and freshmen Tia Dee (midfield), Amanda Preston, Marlaina Spooner (midfield) and Brianna Hyde (midfield).
    “The young players need to jell, and the veterans need to step up. We will definitely be competitive, but we need to gain some confidence early on before finishing with Katahdin, Ashland, Southern Aroostook and Van Buren,” said Ericson about the 2008 outlook. “We need to be yelling and healthy at that time.”