For the Wiscasset girls’ soccer team, it’s a new coach and a new league this fall. The team is moving from eight-woman to the traditional 11-woman game. James Andretta is the new coach. He coached the boys’ program last year.

Andretta has coached several of the estimated 21 players who indicated they would play this fall. Andretta previously coached the middle school boys and girls teams and did one year coaching a co-ed squad.

This year’s team has four freshmen and 17 returning players. One of those players is sophomore Adrianna Farrell. She is a striker and looks forward to starting the new season. “I’m excited about the new season. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing some games,” she said.

The 11-woman game is new for the Wiscasset girls, who all played the eight-woman game in middle and high school. Gabrielle Crowell is a senior and plays left back on defense. “In both middle and high school, I’ve only played eight-man so I will have to see how I like it,” she said.

She is looking forward to her final season as a Wolverine. “Just getting out there and starting to play. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we do. I'm excited about meeting the new people and playing with the returning players,” Crowell said.

Andretta's preseason focus is on skill development and ball possession. Fitness shouldn’t be a problem in the early season as Andretta said a summer soccer program provided ample opportunity for conditioning. 

“The team just missed the playoffs last year. So, we are looking forward to taking the next step and competing for a playoff spot,” Andretta said.

The Wiscasset girls will return to a Mountain Valley Conference 14-game schedule and compete in Class D South. The Wolverines' first game is Friday, Sept. 4 versus Mt. Abram in Salem Township.