A positive atmosphere is becoming a trend for the Livermore Falls team which has become a force in the Mountain Valley Conference in just over a year.
The Andies jumped out of the gate with a 9-0 win against Georges Valley and then shut out defending Class C state champion Telstar 3-0.
The win in Bethel last Wednesday was extremely important because Livermore Falls had lost in the 2004 regional championship game on the same field.
The Andies displayed a tremendous amount of composure and out-hustled the Rebels.
The game had remained scoreless until Taryn Flagg scored off a penalty corner eight minutes and 23 seconds in to the second half.It was the third time in four games that the Andies had scored first against Telstar.
“We definitely want to make the playoffs again,” Flagg said, referring to team goals. “The important thing is that we continue to improve as a team. At the same time, we need to be aware of not letting our guard down.”
There are peaks and valleys to endure and the team weathered a low point during a winless 2003 campaign.
The big turnaround was aided by a high scoring offense led by Erica Gats (21 goals, three assists) and Flagg (21, 13). The duo has scored five and four goals, respectively, this season. Gats had two goals and Flagg one against the Rebels last week.
The Andies have ample support with Becca LeClerc, Kelsey Biliouris, Helaina Lake, Tricia Richard and sophomore Whitney McDaniel.
“We had great senior leadership last year,”Flagg said. “Also, we had a coach (Julia Parker) who was willing to push us. Now the team is working together and it’s paying off.”
Livermore Falls has a strong defense led by goalie Sam Whiting.
Fullbacks Jenika Kelley and Baylee Grant also rotate back for each other.
Cougars learn quick
It usually requires a little time before a team has ample opportunity to measure its potential.
The Mt. Blue field hockey team learned some important insights about its personnel within minutes of a season-opening game.
Jennifer Wallace scored 2:45 in to the game against Gardiner, hopefully delivering a message of future happenings. Unfortunately, the Tigers rallied back to post a 2-1 win.
“We certainly put them back on their heels,” Mt. Blue coach Jeannie Paradis said. “The early score helped show the girls exactly what they are capable of doing.
“(Gardiner coach) Moe (McNally) said she wasn’t interested in playing us again, any time soon.”
Mt. Blue has entered the 2005 season with a positive attitude and was all jacked-up for its home opener last Wednesday. The game had to be postponed a day because the Brunswick bus broke down and a second one caught on fire.
It forced the Cougars to play Brunswick and Cony on successive days.
Still, Mt. Blue is receiving solid contributions from its six seniors, including Heidi Judkins, Wallace, Jamie Witt, Olivia Hastings and Mandie Durrell.
“We’ve been getting strong efforts by a lot of people,” Paradis said.
“(Forwards) Casey Kidd and sophomore Michelle Oswald both have looked good. Alyssa St Pierre has come out as a senior after having played at Jay two years ago. Alyson Webster has helped sure up the mid field. Hopefully, this is a break out year.”
The Cougars have 28 freshmen and sophomores in the program, so earning playing time on the junior varsity is extremely competitive. This type of atmosphere will push the players in to becoming better student-athletes.
Junior goalie Ashley Lewia has already benefited from attending summer camp and back-up Amanda Deschances is waiting in the wings.
Milestone for Moe
Congratulations to Moe McNally for reaching 300 coaching wins. The milestone occurred in a 3-0 shutout against Oxford Hills.
The longtime Tiger mentor joins (retired) Linda Whitney of Lake Region and Allen Holmes of Belfast in the 300-win club.
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