Sports Editor
PRESQUE ISLE — After coming so close to achieving its goal of winning a state title, the Presque Isle boys soccer team came into the 2009 season full of high hopes and expectations.
And considering the success the ’Cats have experienced thus far, it is easy to understand why ninth-year coach Scott Young and the rest of the squad were so optimistic for the season to start. Presque Isle has rattled off an impressive 10-0-2 mark through its first 12 games and appears to be firing on all cylinders.
Could another appearance in the state title game be in store for the Wildcats? Perhaps.
Last year, the Wildcats had a sensational run, finishing 16-1-1 on the season. Presque Isle fell 1-0 to Yarmouth in the state Class B championship. Gone from that successful squad due to graduation were Russ Mortland, Warren Zubrick, Lucas Mathers, Eric Morris, Carter Melendez-Christiansen and Drew Postell. Mortland scored a whopping 28 goals and added 12 assists last season and was named to the All-New England team, marking the first time a PIHS boys soccer player had achieved such a notable distinction.
Despite those notable losses, the 2009 Wildcats featured a good returning core of players, led by seniors Nate Ackerson and goal keeper Dillion Kingsbury.
“Nate is our leading back and our returning keeper will give us a chance in most games,” Young said. “We lost a little of everything from last year’s team — physical size, speed and ability — so we have a very different look.”
Other Wildcats include seniors Matt Chasse (back), Nathaniel Postell (midfield), Ryan Thibeau (forward), Jacob Bonville (midfield/forward) and Chase Guerette (back); juniors Josh Allen (forward), Brandon Bonville (midfield/back), Andrew Legassie (midfield/back), Caleb Mathers (midfield) and Andrew Wilcox (back); and sophomores Isaac Lajoie (forward), Riley Norton (back), Sam Clukey (back), Jacob Player (midfield), Andrew Kofstad (goalie) and Cole Richards (midfield/forward).
Ackerson was the “unsung hero” from last year, according to Young as he marked the opposition’s best player while controlling the backfield. Chasse, Postell and Allen are returning starters who will also be called upon this season to provide key leadership for the Wildcats.
“We hope to defend our regional title,” Young said. “[It] certainly will not be an easy task. We hope to finish in the top four and host a playoff game or two and maybe get back into another championship.”
