WATERVILLE -- Anna Thurston made a number of adjustments throughout her soccer career at Waterville Senior High School. As a sophomore she played sweeper, then became the central figure in a flat-four defense her junior year, which changed to a flat-three defense her senior year.

During that three-year run, the Panthers allowed just 15 goals. Waterville allowed five this season en route to an 18-0-0 record and the Class A state title. Thurston was the heart and soul of the defensive unit.

"What Anna has done is pretty remarkable," Waterville coach Ian Wilson said. "She has made big adjustments each year and has been a leader by example, working very hard."

For her outstanding season, Thurston has been named the Morning Sentinel Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Teammates Jordan Pellerin and Stephanie Whitten, along with Mt. Blue High School's Chelsea Thompson, were also considered.

Thurston recognized from the start of the season her ability to interact with her teammates would be crucial.

"On our team we had five amazing seniors who contributed to our success," she said. "We all contributed on the field and have always had that mentality of working together."

After last season's disappointing loss in the state final to Gorham, Thurston realized it was time to shift gears to another level if the Panthers were going to win the title this year. Experience and depth on defense allowed Waterville to switch to a flat-three defensive scheme that put more pressure on Thurston and her teammates.

"When you use the flat three you have to have three defenders you can depend on," Thurston said. "It's a whole different level of play, you need to learn to communicate and cover for each other."

It was a defense suited to Thurston's skills, as the middle defender she consistently talked with her teammates, directing them to allow attackers to run through while picking up others. When confronted with a one-on-one situation, few are as equal to the task as Thurston, who can strip the ball away in an instance and quickly turn it into a counter attack.

"I'm definitely a quiet leader but when I step on the field I have to assume my role," she said. "I try to give 100 percent the entire game, I have always wanted to win and this year was the best."