There aren’t many soccer programs in the state, boys or girls, that have rung up the regular season numbers that the Bangor High School girls soccer team has for more than a decade.
The Bangor girls have gone 150-17-15 during the last 13 seasons. They have lost one game or less in 10 of those seasons.
However, Class A North titles have been elusive in recent campaigns.
Brunswick has won the last two regional championships after Camden Hills of Rockport captured the previous four and then went on to win the state title each year.
Bangor did reach the regional championship game four times in those six seasons but lost to Camden Hills three times and to Brunswick 2-1 in overtime two years ago.
Bangor last won a Class A North title in 2015 and the Rams then beat Gorham 2-0 in the state championship game.
But this year the Rams have a new coach this season in 59-year-old Jay Kemble, who is also the girls basketball coach. In his one and only season as the girls field hockey season last fall, he guided the Rams to an 8-6 record, which was the program’s best record since the 2009 team went 9-5.
His Rams opened the season with a 4-1 win at Hampden Academy and then beat his alma mater, Mt. Blue of Farmington, 7-0 on Tuesday.
Kemble and his players are optimistic about the season even though they graduated four All Class A North regional players in winger Anna Connors, midfielder Emmie Streams and defenders Ashley Schultz and Abbie Quinn.
“This is the best team we’ve had in my four years I’ve been on varsity,” said senior midfielder Olivia Scott. “I think it’s going to be a great season. The energy is great. Everyone has a great attitude this year.”
Bangor went 9-1-4 in the regular season a year ago and was the second seed before losing to No. 3 Camden Hills 3-1 in the semifinals.
Scott and senior wing Lily Chandler said Kemble has been a welcome addition.
“He has brought a new attitude to the team that we needed. It’s nice to have a new set of eyes looking over us,” Chandler said.
Kemble said he is “having a blast” coaching the team.
“They have been very accepting. They want to be coached and want to compete every day. Our drills are competitive and transition-type drills and they are enjoying them,” Kemble said. “If they hang together and work together like they have been, the sky’s the limit. Combine that with their speed and skill, we can go a long way.”
The strength of the team will be in the midfield, where they have junior Teagan Atherley and Scott on the flanks surrounding senior Ani Roberts, who has seen very little playing time the last two seasons due to injury.
“We have a tremendous group of players there,” Kemble said. “They have an instinct on the field with each other. They know where each other is going to be at all times.”
Atherley had two goals against Hampden Academy and three more against Mt. Blue.
Atherley’s freshman sister, Kyelin Atherley, and fellow freshman Gabby Gordon have been solid in the midfield and junior Emily Adams is also in the picture.
Junior Mallory Tritt can be a holding midfielder or a striker.
Senior Mimi Quinn will anchor the back line at center back. Sophomore Avery Clark and junior J.J. Williams are on the flanks with senior Izzy Ireland being the other center back. Ireland has been hampered by shin splints so speedy freshman Jo Jo Clukey has done a nice job filling in at center back.
Fleet-footed Callie Tennett has a lot of experience in the back but has been sidelined due to an injury she suffered during track season.
Sophomores Sophia Chase and Gabby Roy also have a lot of speed and will play in the back along with senior Olivia Swartz.
“Our back line is young but they are doing a great job stepping up and playing their roles,” Chandler said.
Sophomore Clara Oldenburg is the striker and had the other two goals in the win over the Broncos and another against Mt. Blue. Seniors Chandler and Kelsey Kull are the wings.
Junior Ayzlynn Gifford and sophomore Madison McLean provide quality depth up front, while sophomore Delaney Horr and junior Kalli Snowden can also be productive forwards. Senior forward Belle Leighton is injured.
Senior Hannah Noyes and junior Alex Collins are defenders, and junior Eva Coombs will be the starter in goal after being the back-up for two seasons. She is backed up by freshman Emily Caulkins, who can also play in the midfield.
Kemble said his team played well in the preseason against quality southern Maine teams Scarborough, Windham, Cheverus of Portland and Falmouth.
“I was really happy with our competitiveness and our grit and our fight against teams that are favorites in the south,” Kemble said.
He said his team is becoming more confident when it comes to taking space away from other teams and “constricting the field” with their speed and athleticism. He also feels strongly about his team’s depth, saying he can comfortably play 18 or 19 girls in each game.
Bangor will play its home opener against Camden Hills on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cameron Stadium.