MARS HILL, Maine — Three years ago, the Central Aroostook Panthers won the school’s first state championship in soccer. The following season in 2020 was affected by the pandemic and there was no MPA tournament, while last year the CA squad struggled to a 4-9-1 regular season mark and was ousted by Van Buren in the preliminary round of the playoffs.
Carl Mullen has replaced Wallace Endy as the team’s coach and is looking forward to trying to make the team a force in Class D once again.
“The goal for this group is to make the playoffs and see if we can make some noise,” said Mullen. “You never know what’s going to happen so we just want to give ourselves an opportunity to be there when it matters most.
“The boys understand it’s not an easy turnaround but I think they’re ready for the challenge ahead,” he said.
Mullen is familiar with a majority of his players, having served as the JV basketball coach at the school the past seven years.
“This position came available and I knew they were a great group of boys and have the potential to do some great things together,” he said.
Lucas Haines, a Maine Soccer Coaches Class D North all-star, joined Frankie Kearney as the only players to graduate from last year’s team, so Mullen inherits a veteran group, with a few additional players coming back after not playing last year.
Sophomore Ethan Cushman and freshman Dayton Taylor are tabbed as the starting forwards. Both are quick and possess solid footwork.
Senior Brighton Kingsbury is one of the players who is back after missing the 2021 season. He will step into a midfield role and is a skilled player who Mullen expects will inject life into the offense.
John Coffin and Liam Shaw are seniors and returning starters and anchors at midfield.
“They like to fly around the field and force pressure on the opponents,” Mullen said of the duo. “They are the two players who always seem to find themselves in the middle of the action.”
Ryder Brewer and Malachi Couture are senior wing players who have filled multiple roles in previous seasons. They will be expected to provide leadership and set up crosses for their teammates.
Sophomore Trace Kinney also returns to a starting role as a defender. He will be joined on the back line by seniors Hunter Charette and Lane McCrum, who also decided to return to the team after an absence.
Junior Carson Cushman will get the nod as the starting goalkeeper after playing defense last year.
Coming off the bench for the Panthers will be freshman Caden Bell, sophomores Keith Giberson, Isaac Gillian, Jonathan McDonald and Jonah Tweedie; juniors Isaiah Kinney and Caleb Howlett and senior Billy Anthony.
“We’ve focused a lot on conditioning this preseason,” Mullen said. “We’ve been working on the fundamentals, passing, taking care of the ball and trusting your teammates. The more we play together, the more they’ll figure out each others’ skills.”
