The Bangor High School girls soccer team won its first Class A North championship since 2015 last fall before losing to Scarborough 2-0 in the state final.
The Rams have been a perennial contender, posting a sparkling 166-19-15 record over the past 14 seasons and reaching the Class A North championship game in 10 of the last 13 campaigns.
They have won seven A North titles dating back to their first one in 2005 and captured state championships in 2011 and 2015.
Despite losing some key players off last year’s 16-2 team, the Rams are looking for another trip to the state championship game and a better outcome in the final this season.
“If you play for Bangor soccer, the goal of those kids every year is to win a state championship. It’s not just to get there, it’s to win one,” said second-year head coach Jay Kemble. “That’s why a lot of those kids come here. They want to be in a program that, over the last 20 years, has been really, really successful.”
The Rams graduated All-Class A North Regional center back Mimi Quinn; influential midfielders Olivia Scott and Ani Roberts and productive strikers Lily Chandler and Kelsey Kull.
But they return two All-Class A North Regional midfielders in senior Teagan Atherley and junior Clara Oldenburg, who combined to score 43 goals a year ago.
“We’re pretty deep,” said Atherley, a 23-goal scorer who also had 10 assists. “We have a lot of speed and a lot of skill. We’ve been playing together since elementary school so we have some experience and chemistry.”
Kemble said the team needs game experience to gel this season.
“If we can continue to provide pressure and continue to work in terms of trusting ourselves and getting after it, we could be a pretty effective club,” Kemble said.
The Rams have always been tenacious and have limited opponents’ time and space with the ball.
Bangor outscored its opponents 74-15 last season.
Senior Eva Coombs returns in goal with sophomore Emily Caulkins also likely to get some significant playing time according to Kemble.
“They are both really aggressive and have good instincts,” said Kemble. “And they really communicate with the backs. We’re lucky to have both of them.”
Quinn has departed but the other three starting backs return in senior J.J. Williams, junior Avery Clark and sophomore JoJo Clukey. Williams has moved from outside back to Quinn’s center back slot and junior Sophia Chase has taken Williams’ old spot.
“We have really good speed in the back,” said Kemble.
“That speed is going to help us a lot,” said Williams. “Sophia is really fast.”
Juniors Ava Syphers and Brookelyn Schmersal, sophomore Gabby Spreng and freshman Quinn Andrews are also options in the back and senior Ayzlynn Gifford and junior Gabby Roy, who are forwards, are capable of moving back there if the situation calls for it.
Gifford missed last season due to knee surgery but is back and will give the Rams a lift.
“It feels amazing to be back,” said Gifford. “The recovery was pretty hard but now that I’m back I’m super excited.”
Atherley, her sophomore sister Kyelin, and Oldenburg will be the attacking midfielders who can also be moved up front. Oldenburg had 12 assists to go with her 20 goals and Kyelin, who was limited a year ago due to injury, scored four or five goals according to Kemble.
“Teagan is as good as there is in the state. She is explosive and has an incredible IQ. Clara can strike the ball with both feet and sees the field well,” said Kemble, who added that Kyelin has had an outstanding preseason.
Senior Mallory Tritt and sophomore Gabby Gordon are the holding midfielders.
Promising freshman Georgie Stephenson has had a “tremendous preseason” as a midfielder-striker and Kemble said she is a natural goal scorer.
Seniors Emily Adams and Kali Snowden, junior Reese Trott and sophomore Lucy O’Connell are forwards and Adams can also play in the midfield.
Kemble said Roy and junior Maddie McLean are two of his most versatile players.
“They can play anywhere,” said Kemble.
Williams said the team has the potential to return to the state game.
“We just need to execute in games and give it all we have,” said Williams.
Atherley said their speed will cause issues for opponents.
“We should be able to beat teams on the dribble, especially on the outside if we take defenders on one-on-one,” said Atherley. “That should be really helpful.”
She added that playing in regional and state championship games last fall will be beneficial.
“Playing in high pressure games in front of crazy crowds will really help us work on keeping our composure and we’ll use that to push us forward,” said Atherley.
Bangor will open the season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, when it hosts Hampden Academy.
