There was a time when the Mountain Valley boys’ soccer team was the cream of the crop in the Mountain Valley Conference.

This year, Aaron Perreault hopes that will be the case once again.

The Falcons have a strong lineup returning with 15 players back. Among the talent returning is All-State pick Pat Harris in the midfield as well as Jeff Fuller, the team’s top scorer and an MVC All-Star. With Eric Meader in goal and veterans Joe Broughton, Brett Hine and John Blais on defense, the Falcons could be a force.

“This is probably the best team I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Perreault. “We’re looking to be very strong this year as long as we can pull everything together.”

Of course, there are other teams that could have some say in the matter. Mt. Abram, Telstar, Wiscasset and Georges Valley all could be strong clubs.

Though the Buccaneers graduated 13 players, there is a young group anxious to match last year’s MVC title. Wiscasset only graduated a few standout seniors but returns everyone else.

Mt. Abram lost some key components, but don’t count them out. Damien Wood, Jeff Beal and Frank Hayes give the Roadrunners a potent offense, while Taylor Talmadge, Mike Sweeney and Willie Nalle will anchor the defense.

“We could score a lot of goals,” said Mt. Abram coach Darren Allen. “However, there is some inexperience in the midfield and at striker. If the offense can score goals, we will be tough.”

Telstar has a similar problem after winning nine games last year. They have a number of players back but lost some significant talent in Kinsey Durgin, Wade Osgood and keeper Jeremy Benson. The defense should be solid with Peter Poor, Adam Largess, Mark Hodgkin and Alex Best, but the offense will have to find some balance and consistency.

“We graduated three excellent players and leaders,” said Telstar coach Nate Buckman, “so to say this is a rebuilding year is an understatement. We’ll do our best to make up for the loss of talent and scoring pop by outworking other teams and hopefully take advantage of their mistakes.”

Monmouth, Lisbon and Dirigo were all around the five-to-six win mark last year and hope to improve.

The Mustangs have 12 seniors back. Monmouth should be strong defensively with Stu Isaacson and Jack Gauthier in front of keeper Kyle Pelletier.

“We have 12 returning seniors with a strong group of underclassmen,” said Monmouth coach Gary Trafton. “Defense should be the strong point. Our goal this year is to take the next step in the tournament.”

Lisbon won six games last year and with a drop to Class C, its tournament hopes certainly get a boost. Much of the defense returns from last year, led by seniors Derek Baril, Derek Guisto and Jon Charette. The Greyhounds should be a solid team and challenge for a playoff berth in Western C.

“If we can keep mistakes down and score some goals, our defense should keep us in games,” said Lisbon coach Scott Barden.

Scoring goals was the trouble spot for Dirigo last season. The Cougars won only five games but return most of the team. A strong group of seniors and juniors, led by Marc Gagne, Jon Pineau, Kyle Dolloff, Ed Gracey, Trevis Knapp and juniors Matt Chamberlin, Jacob Maddaus and Rye Daily saw action last year. If the scoring increases, Dirigo could be a factor.

“Our first five games are tough,” said Dirigo coach Bob Karcher. “If we come out of those five games OK, we should be in a good position.”

After three wins last year, Winthrop will rely on a young squad. Only senior Dan Lemieux and juniors Jason Dick, Andy Pellott, Jason Allen, Max Beauregard, Steve Thompson and Zach Phillips return.

“We will start a couple of freshmen every night,” said Winthrop coach Lonney Steeves. “So our youth will show up from the opening kickoff, but I think we will be a bit exciting.”

Jay returns much of its team, including starters Jake Turner, Eric Mastine, Ryne Aubrey, Todd Couture, Leigh Trask, Ray Loon, Justin Jacques, Kevan McElhaney and Mike Pottle. The Tigers hope to be a much-improved club.

“I’m definitely looking for improvement from last year,” said Jay coach Tim Noll. “It’s great to be able to have 11 decent kids on the field that can play soccer. I don’t have to pick and choose who to put out there. A lot of the kids have played a lot of soccer, so they have a pretty good idea what’s going on.”

Livermore Falls is still young and building but hopes to continue its progress. Seniors Andre Mercier and Mike Chamard are the veterans of the group. Charles Lake joins Chamard up front, while Heather Morlock, Megan Jackman and Davis Mercier help Mercier defensively in front of keeper Keith Smith.

“We will be young and inexperienced in some areas, but our positive attitude and work ethic towards getting better will be noticeable,” said Livermore Falls coach Larry Thornton.

Hall-Dale and Carrabec each graduated a great number of players but could sneak into the playoff hunt.

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