Lady Hawks look to improve

By Gloria Austin  
Staff Writer
    Despite having a relatively youthful squad, Hodgdon varsity girls’ coach Anita Levesque is confident they will improve over time.
    “They are very talented,” she said. “I have all the faith in them.”
    Leading the squad are five seniors: Amanda Ryan, fullback; Cierra Willette, fullback; Kelsey Foster, halfback, along with Emma Beaton, who is only in her second year of playing varsity soccer; juniors, Kimberly Levesque, goalie; Britta Oliver, front line/halfback; Sara Fitzpatrick, halfback/stopper and Coreen Jurson, fullback; sophomores, Lacey McQuarrie, halfback/striker/front line; McKensie Palmer, front line/striker; Marissa Malone, fullback/goalie and Alicia Rockwell, stopper/halfback; and freshmen, Macy Palmer, front line; Courtney Jurson, halfback; Samantha Palmer, fullback and Karissa Harris, fullback/stopper.
    “We are taking one game at a time,” said Levesque. “I would like to see us win half our games this year.  We are improving with each game, and I am bringing in coaches to help me where I am inexperienced when it comes to soccer. The girls all get along and they are always helping each other out as well as giving positive feedback.”
    Captains for the squad this season are Amanda Ryan, Cierra Willette and Emma Beaton.
    “I am so impressed with my captains this year and how they are good role models for the younger players as well as teachers,” Levesque said. “One of the players made the comment, ‘They are what captains are supposed to be. They treat us with respect and are helpful both on and off the field.’ I could not say it any better then that.”
    The Lady Hawks play a tough schedule of opponents in Southern Aroostook, Washburn, Limestone, Ashland, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Easton, Wisdom and East Grand.
    “As any coach, we would like to go to the playoffs and I think we could be a force,” Levesque said. “We have started off slow this year, but when you have [other] coaches tell you how much the girls have improved since last year, that is a great compliment. I am looking forward to the year.”