Maine Central Institute fall sports previews
Golf
Coach: Paul Greco (5th season)
Last season: 0-9
Home course: J.W. Parks
Top returners: Brandon Wright (Sr.), Colby Bradshaw (Jr.), C.J. Kersbergen (Jr.)
Key newcomers: Garth Stockwell (Fr.), Cameron Neal (Fr.)
Outlook: The Huskies return three players in Wright, Bradshaw and Kersbergen, who each played a lot of golf over the summer. Greco expects good things from Stockwell and Neal in the future.
Coach's comment: "We should be a little better this year. They put a little more dedication into it this year."
Field hockey
Coach: Nancy Hughes (1st season)
Last season: 1-12-1 in Eastern B
Top returners: M Lydia Fortin (Sr.), B Rachel Ross (Sr.), F Kristy Huff (Sr.), F Rebekah Kallgren (Jr.), F/M Breanna Brown (Jr.), M Maggie Bryant (Jr.), F Meagan Ames (Jr.), M Meghan Hughes (So.), G Kayla Michaud (So.)
Key newcomers: B Macie Peterson (Sr.), B Danielle Varney (Jr.), F Kassandra Brunette (So.), F Kierstin Brown (So.), B Leah Edmondson (Fr.), M/B Taylor Wright (Fr.), F Michaela George (Fr.)
Outlook: Hughes, who coached MCI in the late 1990s, returns to Pittsfield and wants to foster the attitude that the Huskies should be controlling the flow instead of just reacting. The Huskies played as a team at the University of Maine in a summer league and 13 of the players went to a field hockey camp a week before preseason. MCI should be improved; the question is whether it will be enough for a playoff spot.
Coach's comment: "The girls have been really excited about playing. They did quite a bit of playing over the summer. I would say we have a lot of talent. They have to gain some confidence and believe in themselves."
Girls soccer
Coach: Felipe Arias (7th season)
Last season: 3-10-1
Top Returners: F Tiffany McLaggan (Sr.), D Meagan Leibowitz (Sr.), M Melanie Arias (Jr.), M Cassie Brawn (Jr.)
Key newcomers: M Paula Arias (Fr.), GK Picabo Morrell (Fr.)
Outlook: MCI lost seven starting seniors to graduate and will look to a talented freshman class to fill the void. Sixteen players turned out for the team during preseason displaying a strong sense of determination and effort.
Coach's comment: "We are very excited for the incoming freshman class. They are a very hard working and competitive group. My expectations as a coach for the team this season are simple. To improve and to have fun. This group has what it takes to accomplish that."
Boys soccer
Coach: Scott Giallombardo (1st season)
Last season: 6-9-0, lost in East B prelim to Central
Top returners: MF Ross Hammond (Sr.), MF Nate Olson (Sr.), MF Jacob Hunt (Jr.), G Casey Edgerton (Jr.)
Key newcomers: F Colby Patterson (Soph.), F Brandon Blaisdell (Soph.), F Ryan Crocker (Soph.)
Outlook: MCI lost a solid group of seniors to graduation, but return a strong core of young talent to replace the void. Experience will be the key as the season develops. The Huskies will build on their talent in the middle of the field.
Coach's comment: "If our upper class men are able to take on leadership roles and others follow in their steps, everything else will take care of itself."
Football
Head coach: Tom Bertrand (7th season)
Assistant coaches: Ed Miller (offensive line, linebackers, defensive coordinator), Mike Susi (running backs, defensive tackles), Chris Talbot (wide receivers, defensive backs)
Last season: 2-7 in Little Ten Conference
Offensive leaders: QB Brandon Wilson (Sr., 5-8, 155), RB Craig Reazor (So., 5-8, 155), WR Caleb Lasselle (So., 6-0, 165), RB Nick Miller (Sr., 5-8, 155), FB Shawn Bennett (Jr., 5-10, 175), RB Tyler Maloon (So., 5-8, 150), WR Nick Cook (Jr., 6-3, 180), FB Mike Lynch (Sr., 5-6, 175), OL Andy Shorey (Sr., 6-0, 215), OL Markus White (Sr., 5-10, 215), OL Garret Poulin (Jr., 6-0, 265)
Defensive leaders: DB Wilson, LB Reazor, DB Lasselle, LB Miller, LB Bennett, DB Maloon, DB Cook, LB Lynch, DL Shorey, DL White, DL Poulin
Special teams: K Poulin, P Bennett, KR/PR Reazor, KR/PR Miller
Outlook: The Huskies don't have a ton of size, but Bertrand is excited about his team's speed. Miller was one of the top running backs in the Little Ten Conference last season. An offensive line led by Shorey should pace a solid running game again this season. MCI's schedule doesn't include conference powerhouses Foxcroft or Mattanawcook. With eight team making the LTC playoffs this season, MCI should be in the postseason hunt.
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