Field Hockey Midseason review

Seniors: Morgan Karnes (GK), Bailey Karnes (M), Lexi Peacock (M), Kendra Harrison (D)

This team, which is trying to carry the momentum from last year, when the Field Hockey team made it into the Regional Quarterfinals, can’t get much younger. With only four seniors, and three juniors, the lack of experience is a concern as they push into the heart of the season. After being ranked in multiple polls at the beginning of the year, the girls got off to a great start, dominating Cape Elizabeth 6-0. But the momentum from the home opener vanished quickly, as the team dropped a couple in a row. Now, the girls sit in a tie for the last playoff spot (as long as my calculations are correct, with a 2-4-0 record. Even with the extremely young and inexperienced core, senior and captain Morgan Karnes (goalie) feels it can only get better as the season goes on.

“I think these struggles we've seen could be partly blamed on inexperience, however they are how we learn and we will definitely grow after going through this,” Morgan says. “I think that despite our team lacking experience, we have the skill to compete with any team. We have seen the importance of putting in 110% effort all the time and the consequences of not doing that.”

The youth of this team is extremely suspect. But the team is confident and confidence is huge. Even with some big pieces graduating after last year, the players feel that they can make a splash this year. And they may have the depth to do it, even if they don’t look like much on their starting roster.

Girls soccer mid-season review

Seniors: Izzy Qualls (GK), Jemayla Nelsonwood (M), Brittany Mann (D), Madi McCallum (D), Samantha Jordan (F), Courtney Broderick (D), Lindsay Cartmell (M), Maddie Squibb (M), Brooklyn Washburn (D)

Nothing has come easy for this Girls soccer program. Last year, they missed playoffs by a few points. And this year, which started with so much excitement and hope, has started off as rough as it could possibly get. At one point they had as many as five starters out with injury. Entering tomorrow's game at Gray/New Gloucester, the girls find themselves at an underwhelming 1-3-0 record, in the last postseason spot. Oh, and did I mention that the only varsity goalie that the girls have, Senior Izzy Qualls, is still out with a concussion? Senior Lindsay Cartmell, marked on the roster as a midfielder, is filling in as the goalie until Izzy comes back. Even with all this hardship, Lindsey stays confident that the team can make a splash.
“I think we have a lot of potential which was shown the other day against Yarmouth.” Lindsay says. The Yarmouth game she mentioned was a 3-0 loss on Tuesday Night, where two teams dueled it out and were scoreless through most of the first half. Freeport showed great discipline and fought for the entire game, making the game a lot closer than the score may appear, against arguably one of the best programs in the state. She also points to the hard work the players have been putting in to get a better understanding of the sport, and the determination that the players have been playing with. It is clear that even with the rough start, these players have one thing on their mind. To get better, and to put together a season to remember.