AUBURN — When Matt Andreasen took the field with the Edward Little boys’ soccer team Monday as the first practices of the fall season began, it was a milestone moment for the program.

During the offseason, longtime coach Dave Morin retired, and Andreasen took the reins. Morin was the only coach the Red Eddies had ever known. He stepped aside after more than 30 years and 300 wins, creating the school’s first head coaching vacancy in boys’ soccer since Morin started the program in the 1970’s.

“I was excited for it,” senior Zack Tannenbaum said. “New coaches are always interesting because they have different systems and different styles. I was excited to see what we had to play.”

The returning players were accustomed to Morin and his style. EL has been a very defensive-minded team, especially in years when Morin had little offensive punch to work with. Still, Morin was always able to field a competitive — and in most cases playoff-worthy — team.

“It’s a different environment, but hopefully we’ll have a good season,” senior Corey Morin said. “Every senior wants to finish with the coach that they had, but I’m okay with having a new coach. I like him. He’s good to us. Hopefully, we can have fun and win some games.”

EL started the season with a morning practice session Monday followed by another afternoon workout. With a relatively young team, it’s a good time to rebuild and start fresh. These Red Eddies are excited about it being their time and opportunity.

“It’s a big difference going from the only coach EL has ever had to a whole new system,” Corey Morin said. “Coach Morin did a lot of good things for the program, but there comes a time for someone else to step up and do bigger and better things.”

Andreasen is the son of long-time Greely coach Mike Andreasen, who has won three state titles with the Rangers. Matt Andreasen coached the NYA girls’ varsity team last year.

“I had no idea what to expect,” said Tannenbaum. “I didn’t know Coach Andreasen before. It was worrisome because I didn’t know if I’d like the coach or not.”

Andreasen coached most of the team over the summer, which helped break the ice and set the stage for this fall.

“I got to work with most of them,” Andreasen said. “I’m comfortable with a majority of the kids already.”

The team did well this summer. EL had played in a tournament each year but never advanced out of its division. This year, it reached the quarterfinals and lost to a quality Yarmouth team.

“I was very encouraged,”Andreasen said. “I was very happy with the effort I got. Going toe-to-toe with Yarmouth, that just showed me how we were going to be okay this season, as long as the kids continued to show up and work hard and listen.”

It was a laid back summer, but that won’t be the case with the fall. When he had a few players arrive late for practice Monday morning, he made it know that wasn’t acceptable.

“I think it’s just the kids getting comfortable with me as the coach,” said Andreasen, who said his biggest challenge so far is juggling all the administrative work that comes with the start of the season. “It’s the real season now and time to get focused.”

The Red Eddies are excited about continuing the legacy of success that Morin established in his three decades. With a new coach and a fresh outlook, the program is excited about what it can do.

“It’s definitely a nice change,” said Tannenbaum. “I love Coach Morin. He’s a great guy, but change is always good. A young guy in the program brings new energy and helps rekindle things.”

Across the river in Lewiston, the Blue Devils are still working with their second coach in the program’s history. Mike McGraw started his 30th season with the Blue Devils with his own morning and afternoon sessions.

“It’s still exciting, but it’s slightly different,” McGraw said. “Before, the newness was there. Now that I’ve done it, I’m excited to get it started. I’m excited to get the first day through. Once you get past the first day, it’s a little easier. It’s always a struggle to get things going and getting back into a routine.”

Lewiston is the two-time defending KVAC champion, but lost much of its defense. The Blue Devils still have ample speed and skill and should be a team to watch this fall. For McGraw, Monday was just the first step in building what he hopes can be a contending team.

“Just getting day one out of the way, then it’s not quite as hectic,” McGraw said. “Then you can concentrate on the job at hand.”

kmills@sunjournal.com