DEXTER– The preseason is a time to evaluate. That is no different for the Dexter high school girls soccer team.
The Tigers return their leading scorers in Danielle Cummings and Hannah Dorman, along with sweeper Kaylee Deering.. They will need a new keeper and Addyson Herrick is trying to take that role in preseason.
“We are looking for a new keeper, Addyson Herrick has played really well. We are hoping that continues, but she hasn’t been a consistent goalie so she is going to need some game reps,”Dexter coach Jody Grant said. “Based on the way she has played, we are very pleased with her first outing.”
Herrick added, “it is going good, I have a lot to work on. I like it, I see myself being there (keeper) if I continue to work hard.”
The Tigers will have to count on a young core of players to mix in with the veterans led by senior Lily Cummings. Freshmen Avery Herrick and Peyton Grant will be key contributors. The schedule is difficult as the Tigers will see teams battling for tournament spots each game.
“We had four or five players that graduated from key positions. They contributed greatly. It is a matter of finding where kids fit best. We are going to be fairly young. We could have four to five freshman or sophomores out there,”Coach Grant said. “We play a very tough schedule. Orono is notorious very good. PCHS, Penquis, GSA, Central have all been Perennial tournament teams in the last two or three years. Some of them well beyond two or three years. We play Foxcroft who is always good in B and we play Searsport who is always good in D. I don’t think there is one team on our schedule that we are not going to have to play really well to beat.”
Lily Cummings added, I think we are all learning together because we have a lot of new people that are a lot younger. I think we are growing as a team.”
The Tigers open the schedule on Friday when they host George Stevens. They play at Penquis next Tuesday. Full schedule here.
