MHS Fall Sports Preview
Messalonskee ended another highly successful field hockey season last fall with another disheartening loss to Skowhegan in the Class A North championship game. Skowhegan has beaten Messalonskee numerous times in the regional title match and invariably the margin of victory is slim – the Indians prevailed 3-2 in the last clash.
Some teams might find it difficult to rebound from such a crushing defeat – but not the Eagles. Once more they are energized for the season and determined to finish with a triumph in the Class A state final, according to Messalonskee coach Katie McLaughlin.
“We started out (the preseason) with really good team morale,” Mrs. McLaughlin said, “and our leadership from our captains has been excellent. I think our outlook on the season is really positive.”
Mrs. McLaughlin has good reasons to be optimistic. The Eagles return seven of 11 starters and thus boast both an experienced and talented squad. Chloe Tilley, Kaitlyn Smith, Allyssa Turner, Autumn Littlefield, Sarah Kohl, Emily Crowell, and Haley Lowell are the first-stringers back.
Messalonskee sports fans are fortunate to have a wealth of other school teams that should be playoff contenders this fall, according to athletic director Tommy Hill.
Mr. Hill expects to see the Messalonskee girls’ soccer team continue its rise to prominence in Class A soccer. “They are going to be very competitive,” he said. “They have a lot of kids back. They were really young last year.”
On the boys’ side, Mr. Hill said the roster features lots of youth but plenty of talent as well, making the Eagles a likely postseason participant.
Messalonskee football also boasts several outstanding athletes and yet continues to struggle with depth. “Again it’s a numbers thing,” Mr. Hill said. “We are in the low 30s. As long as we don’t get injuries, we should be good.”
In cross country, the girls’ team returns several top performers and appears to be one of the stronger squads in the region, while the boys must overcome the loss of their leading runners, all of whom graduated.
Finally, the golf team should be a force in Class A with Jacob Bernatchez and Blake Marden leading the way. Both Jacob and Blake qualified for the state meet as individuals last fall.