BOYS’ SOCCER

COACH: Chris Spaulding

2011 Results: 8-6 (Lost to Pine Tree Academy in Western Class D quarterfinals)

Top Returning Players: Byeong Wood Jung (Senior), Eric Pearson (Senior), Luke Bennett (Junior), James Rudolph (Sophomore), Ryan Waugh (Sophomore)

Coach’s Comment: “We’re a very young team this year looking ahead to a bright future. We have implemented a new formation to match the players we have. We expect to grow as the season moves forward with the goal of making the playoffs for a third straight year.“

The Forecaster’s Forecast: GPCS has been competitive in recent years in Western Class D, but will have some big holes to fill this season as All-State selection Jordan Peters and all-stars Than Peterson and Adam Simpson (who is playing for the University of Southern Maine) all graduated. This fall, Bennett and Pearson will pace the offense. Waugh (who scored nine goals and added nine assists last season) will move to the back line and join Jung and Rudolph. In goal will be freshman James Perkins. Juniors Sam Purinton and Sam Whiting, along with sophomores Ben Roach and Tyler Steinwachs and freshmen David Davol and John Konzcal also return. This squad will be bolstered by the addition of freshman Teddy Lane and eighth graders Eddie Daigneault and Jeremiah Hammond. The Lions will make a run at another winning record and will be a formidable foe throughout the season. Don’t be surprised to see them wind up back in the postseason.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

COACH: Christine Jones

2011 Results: 0-11 (no postseason)

Top Returning Players: Kim Dawson (Senior), Mariah Foss (Junior), Emily Martel (Junior), Marisa Lane (Sophomore)

Coach’s Comment: “We have six returning players. We’ll look to Kim and Mariah this year for excellent leadership and skill base. We have a lot of speed and are looking for the right formations to bring that out. We’re a very young team. The next few years will be considered building years, but I anticipate we’ll play hard and learn to work together.”

The Forecaster’s Forecast: GPCS, which welcomes Jones as its new coach this fall (former Falmouth and Waynflete coach Jon Meek is assisting her, as well as Spaulding with the boys’ squad), only has one senior on the roster, but still has some experience as it looks to win some games this fall. The offense figures to come from Foss, Lane, Martel, new juniors Hannah Hazel and Heather Hazel, sophomore Rachel Ruel and freshman Ashlee Dawson. On defense, Dawson leads the way. She’s joined by freshman Bethany Ruiz and eighth graders Grace MacDougall, Natalie Smith and Erin Turner. Freshman Clarissa Jones, who started as an eighth grader, returns as the goalkeeper. The Lions hope to be competitive this autumn and while growing as a program, would love to win some games and perhaps even make a run at the playoffs.