SALEM –- We caught up with Mt. Abram girls’ varsity coach Marc Keller at the close of the season. Mt. Abram was eliminated from post season contention, but the Lady Roadrunners played some of their best soccer of the season in that game.

Keller explained that the last game against Hall Dale was a very good indication of MTA’s future. “We had several opportunities in a game when many people would have thought we did not have a chance,” he said.

Mt. Abram entered the contest without starters Mikayla Burbank and Brianna Daly who were out and sickness was hindering others. “The girls could very easily have said, ‘we have no chance,’ and gone through the motions. Instead the girls played possibly their best game of the season against quite arguably the best opponent of the season, Keller explained.

Mt. Abram had several opportunities to score and goal keeper Jillian Withee played a great game in the net.

“You just can’t finish the season on a better note than playing your best game, whether you win, lose or tie,” Keller explained

“They beat us because they were a better team. They used their outside midfielders very well and capitalized when they had opportunities. We had a couple of breakdowns in the back and they took advantage of them.”

“I felt like our biggest obstacle was that we never really found our own identity. We struggled to find our own style of play from game to game.”

But that didn’t stop the Ladies from coming out and winning some big games against really talented teams this season.

A season highlight for Keller’s crew was the two wins against Jay/Livermore Falls. Those games proved that they were a quality team when they put all the pieces together and that they could compete with anyone in the conference. Jay/Livermore Falls was a quality team that finished well in the Class B rankings and MTA’s playoff seeding was based on those two results.

Keller said his season was a success and his team made good progress along the way especially with some of the younger players.

“Everyone gave their all this season. That is one thing I have never questioned with the girls at Mt. Abram. They have never given me less than 100 percent. That is something that we talk about —is making sure there was never a question when we walk off the field of if they could have done more,” Keller said proudly.

Keller spoke of some players who really stepped it up for his team and had surprising impact.

“Amanda Richards, Holly Thomas, Cree Rousseau, Mikayla Luce, Taylor Henderson, Sadie James and Jillian Withee were great surprises for us this season. Being the first season of varsity for each player, they worked very hard and played well each time they stepped on the field,” he explained.

Keller was also impressed with the freshmen and sophomores who made tremendous strides in skill and play. “They are beginning to understand the play that is required at Mt. Abram and challenge themselves each day to get better.”

Over the next couple of seasons you will see continued improvement from the MTA girls’ soccer program. “They work hard and there is a lot of athletic ability in each class. Our biggest shortfall is the amount of experience that our girls come to the high school with. I expect that over time, the benefits of the WMYSA programs will turn MTA into a program that will vie for Western Maine and State titles every year.”

Now that the season is over, Keller said he’ll miss the fun and enjoyment of stepping on the soccer field each day with such a fantastic group of young women. He said he’ll miss seeing their desire to succeed and willingness to learn the game and improve.

“And of course, the feeling of satisfaction of seeing them do well in competition, knowing that their success is a direct result of the hard work that they put in each day.”

He was thankful for all the players for their attitude and desire to succeed and grateful for the parents and fans for all of their support.

He also thanked Jeff Pillsbury and Brenda Stevens for all their behind-the-scenes assistance, and assistant and JV coach Monica Hedstrom for her listening skills and the help to make those critical game time decisions and “to the boosters club for everything that they do for us.”