FALL 2011 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

MOLLY MILLER, Junior-Soccer

* SMAA All-Star, first-team

The McAuley girls’ soccer team didn’t manage to make it to the postseason this fall, but one Lion did her all to keep the team competitive throughout and was so good at her position that she earned all-star recognition.

Molly Miller was one of her conference’s best goalkeepers and was tested regularly this fall.

For coming through time and again, Molly Miller gets The Forecaster’s nod as McAuley’s Fall 2011 Athlete of the Year.

Miller started playing soccer at a young age and quickly gravitated to the goalie position.

“I like goalie because I’m always part of the game,” Miller said. “I love the intensity.”

She’s played six years of premier soccer and just finished her third varsity season with the Lions.

After making over 100 saves and being named All-Conference each of her first two years, Miller put on a show again in 2011, making 115 saves (placing her in the top three in the conference) and posting three shutouts (a top 10 mark), marks that were very impressive considering she was playing with a new defense in front of her for the third straight season.

Highlights included 22 saves against Sanford, 17 versus Windham, 16 against Thornton Academy, nine in her team’s first win (over Bonny Eagle), 10 each in games versus Kennebunk and Portland and nine in a win over Biddeford.

Another mention on the All-Conference team followed the conclusion of the year.

Miller, who lives in Raymond, is now involved with her first year of indoor track, where she’ll throw the shot put. She plays outfield for a competitive softball team in the spring. She’s a member of Key Club and wants to start a new Kindness Club at the school.

Miller wants to help the Lions return to the playoffs as a senior and hopes to play soccer in college.

We’ll enjoy watching her anchor her team in goal one more time. Molly Miller, McAuley’s Fall 2011 Athlete of the Year, is often in the middle of the action and finds a way to rise to the occasion.

Coach Vince Aceto’s comment: “Molly’s success comes from one place and that’s herself. She puts in the time to learn the position and always looks for ways to improve. She defines the role of goalkeeper. She’s confident, hard working, has good communication skills and shows leadership. Her cat-like reflexes put fear into opposing players. Her confidence lifts others around her and makes them better players. The respect other coaches have for her can’t be measured. She’ll continue to grow as a player and person. She’s meant everything to the program. She played 80 minutes harder than any other goalie I’ve coached. She lives for soccer. She has much bigger fish to fry when it comes to playing soccer in the future. Nobody should be surprised once she gets there.”

2010 winner: Maura Esten (Soccer)

2009 winner: Lauren Fecteau (Cross country)

2008 winner: Olivia Mackenzie (Cross country)

2007 winner: Olivia Mackenzie (Cross country)

2006 winner: Mikayla Call (Soccer)

2005 winner: Abby Iselborn (Cross country)

2004 winner: Jill Johnson (Cross country)

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