For fourth-year head coach Jim Verry and his seniors, the 1990 Thomas College of Waterville soccer season is the most rewarding one ever.

“They’ve gone through the growing pains of a young program and they’re reaping the benfits,” Verry said of the team that takes a 6-1 record into a 1 p.m. game Saturday at the University of Maine-Presque Isle.

“We had some big holes to fill but this team has just shown great chemistry,” he said. “It’s a nice combination of veterans who’ve shown experience, poise and leadership, and an influx of quality freshmen who are giving us enthusiasm that comes from freshmen. We’ve developed a winning attitude that we take to the field every game.”

Senior co-captain Mitzi Daigle of Fort Kent, All-District and All-State last year, is one of those seniors. The sweeper “has just been tremendous defensively,” Verry said. “She’s our last line of defense before the ‘keeper and she’s improved another notch this year. She gives us a lot of stability and a defensive attitude and team pride in defense we haven’t had in a long time.”

Thomas was 10-7-1 last year, closing the season with a 6-2 loss to eventual NAIA District 5 champion Green Mountain (Vt.) College. Nine players return from that team and Verry expects another touranment appearance from them.

Senior left wing Kelly Beard of Milo, a four-year starter, is adding to the team’s positive attitude.

“The attitude is tremendous,” he said. “The morale is sky high and the program is at the point we envisioned (it) would be four years ago. To lose key players and have the program continue is a tremendous credit to the kids. We have quality kids. The team grade-point-average is over 3.0. Everything is just going our way.”

The biggest surprise of the year is the goalkeeper, senior Martha Hopkins. “Our recruited keeper was ineligible so I had to call our manager this summer to tell her we needed her in goal,” Verry said. “She checked with her doctor on a knee problem, got the okay and has five shutouts in seven games. It’s been great to have someone come out of the woodwork like that and do so well.”

Defense is a key, Verry said. “We’re re not talking about putting more goals on the board as much as we are about stopping the opposition, and that has to do with Mitzi’s leadership.”

Junior left wing Krista Thompson of Caribou leads the offense. She holds the school record for most career goals with 26. “She has tremendous skill, poise and leadership at that position,” Verry said.

The hardest worker on the team is striker Sherri Sawyer, a co-captain from Westbrook. “She distributes the ball well and has been our steadiest player all around,” Verry said.

At right wing is freshman Cassie Graves of Nokomis in Newport. In her first seven games, Graves has scored 11 goals with four game-winners. A player with lots of skill and speed, she’s just been a pleasant surprise for the coach.

Mo McInnis starts at center midfield and puts the ball into the midfield to set up goals. McInnes is flanked at right midfield by Michele Primiano of Waterville, a sophomore transfer from Southern Maine Vocational Technical College. After sitting out last year, she has six goals and one assist in seven games.

Left midfield is held down by freshman Amie Mooney of York. Junior Becky Hapgood of Vassalboro plays in front of Daigle and is a solid defender Verry considers one of the most improved this year.

At wing fullback are Tracey Garrison of Bridgewater and Michele Norberg of Westbrook, both dependable defenders at that position.

“It’s really a neat season,” Verry said. “We’ve had a lot of changes here from the administration to the team. We lost good poeple and are still doing well. Every practice is fun. The kids are into it. We have a tremendous northern flavor. Recruiting hads been good for us.”

Thomas Schedule: Sept. 29, at UMPI, 1 p.m; Oct. 2, at St. Joseph’s, 3:30 p.m.; 9, at Husson, 3:30 p.m.; 13, Johnson State, 3 p.m.; 17, at UMF, 3:30 p.m; 21, UNE, 1 p.m.; 24, at Maine, 3 p.m.; 27, USM, noon. optional

I’m off to Ohio and Minnesota with two very exciting events on the calendar. On Saturday, my husband and I will be in the stands when Ohio State takes on the University of Southern California in Big 10 football, and the following Saturday we’ll be attending a wedding in Minnesota. The Ohio State visit is scheduled to include a tour of the university with field hockey coach Karen Weaver.