CARIBOU, Maine — The Viking girls soccer team may have a youthful roster which includes only two seniors, but several starters return to try to execute a turnaround after last year’s 2-11-1 campaign.
Cody Tompkins takes over the coaching duties from Andrew Kirby, who moved out of state, and as the team’s third coach in the last four years, Tompkins said one quality that stands out with his team members is their ability to make adjustments.
“I believe this has been noticeable,” Tompkins said. “They are able to adapt to different expectations and this has been an advantage in a lot of ways.
“We’re a young team, but I have been surprised with how much effort and focus the girls have put into each drill and each session we have had the past three weeks,” he added.
Tompkins said senior captain Araya Caverhill, sophomore Joselyn Griffeth and freshmen Liv Adams and Meagan Martin are the Vikings’ forwards, while senior captain Saffayia Durepo, juniors Phoebe Solomon, Jillian Ziegler and Abby Page; and sophomore captain Maddie Deprey and classmates Vivian Prashaw and Ava Fineli will play midfield.
Junior Emma Butler, sophomores Brianna Levesque and Ainsley Caron and freshman Brynne Hamilton are defenders, with sophomores Amelia Godin and Abby Haney splitting time in goal.
Sophomores Kaydence Harrison and Gwen Crandall and freshman Kayden Guerrette are the team’s managers, while Shawn Dubay is Tompkins’ assistant coach and JV coach Kerry Bouchard will also be assisting on the sidelines.
“We have worked hard on getting physically capable of playing 80 minutes or more every time we have a game,” Tompkins said, “and I believe that our goal is to just focus on each opponent as they come up on our schedule and not overlooking anyone.
“Making the playoffs is a goal for our team and it’s going to take the girls believing in themselves and their teammates for us to make a playoff run,” he added.
