May 24 – SOUTH PORTLAND – After having a good experience playing for Maine Footy in their inaugural season, Monmouth’s Audrey Fletcher was happy to return to the team this summer.
“Last year, I loved how everyone took it seriously and we were all there for the same reason. I grew as a player and a teammate and that encouraged me to come back,” Fletcher said.
Maine Footy, which goes by The Tide, opened the season on May 18 with a 3-1 loss to the New England Mutiny in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Maine Footy takes on Worcester Fuel FC on Saturday night in Franklin, Massachusetts. The home opener will be June 1 at Deering High’s Memorial Stadium against Worcester Fuel FC.
The Tide is a member of United Women’s Soccer, a league made up of 44 teams nationwide, up from 40 last season. Maine Footy is one of 18 teams in the East division. Each team’s roster is made up of college players, and the league prides itself on being a pathway to professional football. On the league page, it is stated that seven of the first 10 players selected in the National Women’s Soccer League draft were United Women’s Soccer alumni.
Of the 22 players on The Tide’s roster, eight are from Maine. In addition to Maine, seven states and six foreign countries are represented on the list. Six players returned to the team last season, including Fletcher, who transferred to the University of Southern Maine after playing college soccer at the University of Maine at Farmington, and Gorham’s Madison Michaud, who plays at the University of Maine.
“Last year was a really good introduction to playing with people from outside of Maine. This year, I feel like we’re a more diverse team. We have people from all over the country and international (players),” Michaud said. “We have something to build on from last year. We are all working towards this common goal, all trying to improve.”
Also back is coach Will Pike. St. Joseph’s College men’s soccer coach Pike said after learning the league last season, this season is all about getting the team together quickly.
“Every player has their own (collegiate) system. Getting everyone on the same page is probably the hardest part. It’s not difficult, but you have to do it quickly,” Pike said. “They are all very professional. The most important thing is how quickly I can develop team chemistry, knowing the league now.”
The Tide finished fifth in the 17-team Eastern Conference last season, falling to Sporting Connecticut in the first round of the playoffs. While it was a strong season for a first-year program, Pike said the goal this season is to finish in the top four in the regular season and host a playoff game.
“I think we have a great talent level,” said Emma Badger, a Wells native who plays collegiately at Florida Gulf Coast University. “I think it’s a really competitive environment. There’s a lot of potential. It’s exciting.”
Like last season, Maine Footy is focused on community outreach. The club has a series of football clinics scheduled at St. Joseph’s College from June 17-21 for high school players. The Tide Rising girls camp for U9 through U14 players is scheduled June 24-28 at Cheverus High School.
Copy story link
