LR: All hands on deck

PREVIEW: VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER

Head Coach: Lynne Harrison

Assistant Coach: Brian Clark

Key returning players: Senior goalie Emily Bartlett, should be a defensive leader; senior midfielder, Jacqui Black, strong ability to work offense and defense; senior midfielder Theresa Butler, should control the midfield play and give strong shots from outside the 18 (yard line); senior forward Rachel Wandishin, great scoring threat whenever she is near the ball.

Top newcomer: Sophomore midfielder Jordan Turner, good footwork, ball skills and speed, should see lots of playing time.

Players to watch: Strong offensive players Rachel Wandishin, junior Sydney Hancock, sophomore Tiana Carter and junior Lexi Crawford should find the back of the net.

Varsity roster: Seniors Caitlyn Fleck, Danielle Keller, Rachel Martin, Michelle Skarbinski, Jennifer Woods, Emily Doviak; Juniors Angelica Attianese, Kiersten Eldridge, Kayla Gray, Kasey Huntress, Erin Levasseur, Hannah Perkins, Breanna Wilkinson; Sophomores Alyssa Kepler, Taylor Kwaak, Mackenzie McHatton, Hannah Somers, Elisabeth Waugh, Aime Worcester.

JV roster: Freshmen Hunter Banks, Sarah Carlson, Bailey Crawford, Tiana Fisher, Kate Hall, Whitney Harriman, Devin Langadas, Madison Lawler, Monica Martin, Brittany Perreault, Isabel Scribner.

Strengths: Returning players give experience.

Weaknesses: Still struggling to match speed on the defensive end and shore up positions. Limited experience from bench players.

Based on what you’ve seen thus far, what are you most encouraged by? Possession and transitional play is improving. Working the ball out of the defensive end in an organized play is essential to beginning the attack.

Keys to the season? Bench players will need to really step up to play. Limited bench players will be stressed should there be injuries to key players.

Three goals: Better transition from defense to offense; shooting the ball sooner; and possessive play in all areas of the field.

Season opener: The Lakers host Freeport this Friday at 6 p.m. under the lights at Art Kilborn Athletic Field. The Lakers travel Tuesday to Falmouth for a 6 p.m. game, and head to Fryeburg Academy next Thursday, Sept. 8, for a 3:30 p.m. contest.

FA: Attitude to succeed

PREVIEW: VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER

Head Coach: Terry MacGillivray, fifth year.

JV Coach: Kristina Stevens.

Key returning players: Seniors Maggie McConkey (goalkeeper), Bri Pelkie (defense), Megan MacGillivray (midfield).

Top newcomers: Freshman Elle Burbank (goalkeeper).

Varsity roster: Seniors Sylvia Brooks, Sophie Creegan, Brenna Gerchman, Liz McDermith, Taylor Newton, Nicki Shivers and Abby Smith; Juniors Sasha Azel, Shannon Friberg, Jamie Gullickson, Kallie Moulton, Sam Nardone, Maddie Pearson, Kellyn Scrimger and Carla Tripp; Sophomores Chelsey Abraham, Sydney Charles, Rebekah Dostie, Kristen Dostie, Bailey Friedman, Izzy Hodgman-Burns, Thea Heart, Savhana Kruguer, Sarah Welch and Anna Williams; Freshmen Erin Friberg, Donae Dostie and Grace Mills.

Players to watch: Veteran netminder Maggie McConkey, a four-year starter, should go over the 1,000 save mark this season.

Team strengths: Majority of players have played two years at the varsity level; three returning sophomores started as freshmen.

Team weakness: None.

Based on what you’ve seen thus far, what are you most encouraged by? Passing, ability to score, 2-0 mark in preseason play.

Three keys to the season? Stay injury free, passing and strong attitude to succeed.

Three goals? Shots on net, win the 50/50 balls and start all games strong.

Season opener: The Raiders travel to Gray-New Gloucester this Friday, Sept. 2 for a 4:30 JV game and a 6 p.m. varsity contest. Fryeburg’s first home game is next Thursday, Sept. 8 against Lake Region at 3:30 p.m.