5 North high school boys soccer teams to watch this fall

The boys soccer season gets fully underway on Sept. 5, and some teams are playing with higher expectations than others.

Tasked with defending championships or avenging early playoff exits, here are five schools in northern Maine with ideas of taking home a gold ball this fall.

George Stevens Academy (13-3-2 in 2023)

George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill made a surprising postseason run last fall as Class C North’s No. 4 seed, shutting out No. 1 Bucksport 3-0 in the regional semifinals and No. 6 Mount View 4-0 in the regional finals before falling 1-0 to Mt. Abram at states.

It was the Eagles’ first trip to the state title game since 2002 and fourth all-time. They return a stacked senior class this fall, and have a good chance to finally win their first ever boys soccer state championship.

Leading the way for GSA will be All-Region seniors Reed Pambianco (midfield) and Aubrey King (defense), plus speedy senior striker Fred Coit, senior midfielder Rowan Gagne and senior midfielder Dominic Nevells. Sophomores Jack Carson and Malcolm Page are among GSA’s other key returners.

Foxcroft Academy (13-2 in 2023)

In contrast to GSA, Foxcroft Academy had an underwhelming performance in the Class C North playoffs last fall, getting bounced by Mount View 3-1 in the first round after a 13-1 regular season campaign. With a solid core of returners, a rigorous offseason training program and more mental maturity, the Ponies want to go deep into the playoffs this year.

“We thought we were going a lot further — we were not mentally prepared and lacked discipline,” assistant-turned-head coach Faleesha Gaylord said of Foxcroft’s early playoff exit. “Being individual players is not gonna get you a state championship. Our overall experience is higher, and I feel super confident we’ll be better than last year.”

The Ponies have six returning starters and a sprinkling of talented international players, and plan on playing patiently through the back. They will be led by their “anchor” in senior center back Lochlainn Schriver, plus junior midfielder Hawken Hall and senior midfielder Terry Pham.

Lewiston (15-2-1 in 2023)

The Lewiston boys soccer team made national news and later met the New England Patriots after winning the Class A state championship last November, just 18 days removed from the mass shootings that shook their community to the core.

With an overtime golden goal from senior Tegra Mbele, the Blue Devils beat A South champions Deering 3-2, clinching their fourth state title since 2015. Lewiston ultimately graduated two All-Region players and six starters, but had more than 80 kids at tryouts this summer and is hungry for another gold ball.

“These guys have been getting after it. The competition in practice has been awesome,” Lewiston head coach Dan Gish said. “We’re deep. They know they have to earn a spot. It’s been hard to choose starters — it [usually] changes every game.”

Known for its multicultural pedigree, Lewiston will be led by All-Region senior midfielder Mechi Mbele and senior defensive midfielder Eden Likibi, plus up-and-coming sophomores Belmiro Bengue and Nathan Dimandya.

Ellsworth (13-3-1 in 2023)

Ellsworth suffered a shocking comeback loss to John Bapst in the 2023 Class B North regional final, and is eager to make its first state championship appearance since 2014. The Eagles like to dictate the pace of play with their physicality, and have finished with a top-3 seed each of the past three seasons.

The Eagles graduated All-Region stars Cruz Coffin and Owen Frank this offseason, but return All-Region senior midfielder Kal Laslie and All-Conference senior forward Kyle Kenney. Senior midfielder Ridge Weatherbee will serve as co-captain, junior Cooper Mitchell returns in net, and seniors Hollis Grindal and Luke Horne will have key roles on defense.

“We lost some key pieces, but you find kids with new identities and mold things around them,” Ellsworth head coach Mark Ensworth said. “We’ve got a good core coming back and hopefully they’re ready to make the next step.”

Camden Hills (13-4 in 2023)

The Windjammers also came up one game shy of a state championship appearance last fall, losing 1-0 to Lewiston in the Class A North regional title game after beating No. 6 Brewer and No. 7 Skowhegan 3-0 apiece. It was their second regional runner-up finish in three years.

“We should be pretty good again. They’ve all worked hard on their game and are hungry for success,” Camden Hills head coach Ryan Hurley said. “We have a very integrated youth program, so we will be very adaptable given the opponent and well equipped to keep possession for long stretches of time.”

Camden conceded just 11 goals all season last year, and returns a well-balanced yet experienced roster headlined by All-Region senior forward Charlie Pons. Their captains will be senior Boston Enggass, senior Colby Bennett, junior Brian Leonard and junior Mac Pierce.