CARIBOU, Maine — This year’s version of the Viking boys’ soccer team has a whole new look.
That’s because the squad has had to replace seven starters from last year’s squad. All were three-year starters who graduated last June.
Caribou went 7-8 a season ago, qualified for the playoffs and fell to Waterville in overtime in the preliminary round. The game typlified the season as six of the team’s losses were by a single goal and three came in overtime. The highlight was a victory over a Madawaska team that was otherwise unbeaten and went on to win the Eastern Maine Class C championship.
Coach Scott Hunter has had to significantly retool the roster this fall with Matt Milliard, Kam Manter, Cody Herbert, Breen Blackstone, Matt Frost, Matt Manter and Adam Collins all graduating. However, Hunter was encouraged by the number of boys who tried out for the team last month, thanks in part to a large group of 14 freshmen. He is also thankful to have former Viking standout Kyle Corrigan serve as the junior varsity coach this season.
The Vikings had a competitive preseason slate, which included the participation in the annual Presque Isle Invitational Aug. 15 and then a trip to Lewiston a week later for exhibition contests against the hosts and fellow Class A team and defending state champion Scarborough, as well as Class B stalwarts Waterville and Winslow.
“I thought our kids played well against this level of competition,” Hunter said, “and will prepare us well for the tough competition in the Penobscot Valley Conference Class B ranks.”
Hunter said this year’s team is athletic and possesses good overall speed and skills. He has always stressed ball skills and possession soccer, and “that will continue with this group.”
Leading the returnees is Michael Hunter, a junior center midfielder. The coach’s son, he is a playmaker who was among the Class B leaders in assists last year with nine. Third-year starter Taylor Thibodeau has excellent speed and is very intelligent and will get the nod at a wing midfield slot.
Colby Holdsworth, who posted three goals as a junior, will play the striker position. Hunter said he possesses the best shot on the team. Dustin Bouchard, another senior, is a tireless worker who has a knack of getting to balls in the box. He will team with Holdsworth on the front line.
Senior Austin Griffeth will lead the defense. He is the tallest player on the Vikings’ roster and has excellent speed and technique.
The other starters to begin the season are junior Ethan Plourde in goal, juniors Paul Hanson, Mason Huck and Ben Ezzy as backs, sophomore Dominick Judd at midfield and junior Hunter Milliard up front.
Plourde is a hard-working, technically-sound keeper who has spent the last two years as a backup. Hanson is the best header on the team, Huck has improved daily and Ezzy has speed and makes smart decisions. Judd owns a tremendous flip throw which should be a big weapon, while Milliard could be the fastest player on the Vikes’ roster.
“We lost all of our major scoring threats to graduation, so we’ll have to get better at finishing near the goal,” Hunter said, “and our defense is a concern with players getting used to our system and the younger ones getting used to the physicality and speed of the varsity level.
“We need to just keep improving every practice and game so we peak at the right time,” he added.
Others expected to compete for starting roles are junior midfielder Matt Caron and junior forward/midfielder Richard Newland. Others on the squad are junior back Dylan LaMothe, freshman back/midfielder Noah Frost and freshman forward/back Bailey Griffeth. Another freshman, Nic Sleeper, has been nursing an ankle injury but is slowly recovering and could see action.
“I am very excited to have a great group of veteran players with experience along with some very good developing younger players, all with great attitudes and a willingness to get better,” Hunter said. “I can’t wait to see how we grow and what the season brings.”
