LISBON FALLS – Scoring goals at a phenomenal rate wasn’t Ashley Beaulieu’s goal to begin with.

The Sun Journal Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year simply wanted to improve each year and make herself a better player. The Lisbon senior did that and more, shattering the scoring records at her school.

“My goal was to just improve my game, and I knew the coaching would help me,” said Beaulieu. “I was glad I got the good coaching experience. They really did help me a lot.”

As each year went by, Beaulieu built up her skills and her confidence. Her scoring stats soon followed.

“My goal was to get better every day,” she said. “Working hard every day in practice was a much-needed thing, and the only way to improve.”

As she entered this season, Beaulieu’s aspirations evolved. She had scored 28 goals in her three years with the Greyhounds. She started aiming at the school records. She never really imagined they’d be possible. She had just hoped to contribute to the program during her career and help lead them to the postseason, which she had done regularly.

“I had the goal, but it never occurred to me that it could happen,” she said. “It was set back in my mind that if it happened, it happened.”

She started out the season at a torrid scoring pace, and it wasn’t long before the records drew closer. Beaulieu says one of the biggest factors in her ability to score so often and so consistently was the play of her teammates. She says having a confidence, trust and familiarity with those around her  is crucial. Though this team was a young squad, they rallied together nicely.

“It was a positive attitude and getting along with the entire team,” said Beaulieu. “Teamwork is the most important thing that you have to have on the field. This year, we got along really well. The teamwork to me was the best.”

Beaulieu also says she was more determined than ever to work hard this season. She wasn’t driven by the school records. She drove herself toward them and found herself within reach. Though she had always worked her, she strove to find ways to improve constantly. She fine-tuned her skills in anyway she could.

“I pushed myself to the limit,” she said. “I don’t think I ever pushed myself as hard as I did this year to want to achieve and want to improve. I only got better as I went up in my high school career.”

She finished the year with 29 goals and 57 in her career. Her 14 assists rank second overall. 

“It’s phenomenal,” she said looking back on the achievement. “I have many people come up to me and saying ‘Great job.’ It hasn’t been my goal for four years but what’s wrong with have a new goal every year?”

After being an all-conference and all-Western Maine pick last year, Beaulieu was the MVC South Player of the Year. She also was a Western B All-Star and an All-State selection.

Ashley will graduate from Lisbon High School as the most decorated offensive female soccer player in school history,” said Lisbon coach Jake Gentle. “However, her statistics alone do not describe her as a person. Ashley is a wonderful young women with great academic promise. She is a great role model not only for her teammates but also for her classmates. She demonstrates passion, focus and hard work on and off the soccer field. She was not only our team leader in scoring, she was also our team leader in determination and heart.”

Beaulieu plans to study biology and possibly keep playing soccer. She’s still mulling over schools. They include a couple Division II and Division III programs. She says she’ll finish visiting them all and then look back to decide which feels right for her.

She already knows that just about anything is possible. She worked diligently for four years to take herself as far as she could at Lisbon. Her stupendous soccer season this fall is proof of just that.

“I think about it every day,” she said. “I can’t really explain my feelings. I’m really happy for myself. I never really had a goal that I set that I went way beyond it. I guess this was a goal that I wanted to go beyond.”

Lisbon’s Ashley Beaulieu is the Sun Journal girls’ soccer player of the year. Beaulieu set new school scoring records for the 2009 season.

Girls’ Soccer All-Region Team

First Team

G Kirsten Prue, Edward Little Sr.

D Hailee Mulherin, Leavitt Sr.

D Abby Bragg, Buckfield Soph

D Maggie Gamble, St. Dom’s Sr.

MF Tori Zupancic, Leavitt Soph

MF Ashlee Hamann, Buckfield Jr.

MF Emma Christensen, Rangeley Sr.

MF Brooke Lawrence, Lisbon Soph

F Ashley Beaulieu, Lisbon Sr.

F Lexi Deering, Livermore Falls/Jay Soph.

F Katie Buschmann, Mt. Abram Sr.

F Allie Hammond, Rangeley Jr.

Second Team

G Maggie Sabine, Oak Hill Jr.

D Alannah White, Livermore Falls/Jay Sr.

D Emily Eames, Mt. Abram Soph.

D Grace Burnette, Winthrop Jr.

D Emilie Cloutier, Lewiston Sr.

MF Emily Grund, Edward Little Jr.

MF Chelsea Thompson, Mt. Blue Jr.

MF Hannah Allen, Mt. Blue Jr.

F Ali Desjardins, St. Dom’s Sr.

F Sophie Goulet, St. Dom’s Jr.

F Caitlin Hanley, Oxford Hills Sr.

F Emily Chase, Dirigo Sr.

Player of the Year: Ashley Beaulieu, Lisbon

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