FFHS girls’ varsity soccer relying on experience

16 years ago
By Meridith Paterson  
Staff Writer

    FORT FAIRFIELD – Experience gained in the 2007 season prepared the Fort Fairfield girls’ varsity soccer team members for a mature 2008 season.
    “Last season was a successful one that saw great improvements during the three months,” said head coach Kerrie Alley. “We were a fairly young team graduating only four seniors. Our defense was solid but very young, and our frontline gained valuable experience each game.”
    With 15 returning players to the team, the Tigers look to fare well this season and continue a six-year streak of making it to the playoffs. Seasoned players have stepped up to fill the gaps left by graduates Maryl Shaw in defense, keeper Kristen Hebert and midfielders Alison Blaisdell and Stacey McNamee.
    Anchoring the 2008 defensive lineup is junior Paige Beaulieu with junior Kelsie Wilson at sweeper, senior Amber Forsman at stopper and junior Sarah Hebert and sophomore Amber Wasson in fullback positions.
    Starting in the midfield for the Tigers are junior Courtney Churchill, sophomore Alyssa Murchison and senior Keiza Berniche. On the frontline is striker freshman Kacie York and forward seniors Kaitlyn McLaughlin and Rose-Mary Williams.
    Also playing for the 2008 Tigers on defense are sophomore Dani Shaw, junior Emily Weissman, freshman Savannah Churchill, freshman Katy Donavan and freshman Elizabeth Day. Midfield substitutes include freshman Abby Ladner, freshman Lindsey Graves, senior Kelsie York, freshman Danielle Tracy, freshman Ashley Parady and sophomore Brooke Beaulieu. Frontline players are sophomore Kaitlyn Kinsey, freshman Kylie Plourde and freshman Keegan Watt.
    “The majority of our scoring should come from our veteran frontline members in Williams and McLaughlin with support from York and Churchill,” commented Alley. “Everyone on the team will play an integral part in our success. My bench is very deep.”
    Assistant coach to the 2008 Tigers is Erin Graves.