Scrimmages, sprints, rapid fire, attacks and defense. These are a few of the types of exercises Coach Kate Hossler has the Lady Seahawks soccer team performing during practices to prepare for a new season.

“The team just keeps getting better,” Hossler said. “And their record keeps getting stronger.”

This season marks Hossler's third consecutive year with the team. Four years ago she was only coaching the goalie, then Brandi McFetridge. She was a goalie through her soccer years and says she has a real passion for that position.

There are 17 players readying for the 2012 season: seniors Mikayla McFetridge (goalie) and Allison Cook playing for the first time; six juniors, Nell Anthony, Dana Greenleaf, Evie Greenleaf, Abby McLellan, Ashley Poland and Hannah Winslow; four sophomores, Brenna Alley, Monique Bertin, Sara Durgan and Sinead Miller.

Hossler is very excited about freshmen Anna Baumm, Courtney Brewer, Mariah Carriera, Lisa Pawlowski and Jamie Wheeler, because they have shown themselves to be very competitive players. She said the five new players “joined the group so naturally.”

The team's manager is Riley Kane.

This year the focus for the team is defense; working toward less shots on goal. Hossler is also working on more team building by holding a pool party, having cookouts the day before a game, and plans an overnight camping trip. 

The team's first game was at Dirigo on August 31, and the second game of the season at home against Carrabec on September 3.