Houghton upbeat about future of UMPI soccer

Reflecting on her first season as a collegiate soccer coach, the University of Maine-Presque Isle’s Susan Houghton is upbeat even though her team finished 4-8 overall and 4-7 in the NAIA.

Houghton has reason to feel that way. Thirteen of the 15 team members will return from UMPI’s largest squad ever and the players are in such a positive frame of mind, they’re talking of indoor soccer.

“The attitude of everyone I’ve talked with, including the university president, is good,” Houghton said. “The feedback is all positive. The kids are feeling good about the season. They had a good time and felt it was a worthwhile experience.”

It was also a worthwhile experience for the non-traditional coach, who balances duties of wife, mother, student, and coach.

“I’m pleased,” Houghton said, “but, as with any coach, I’d like to have won more games. But my first time travelling with the team was great. They allowed me to laugh with them and be part of the group. It was nice.”

Houghton now knows she needs a larger team. To that end, she’s on the recruiting trail. She attended several area games and saw the Class B and C state finals. “Things look quite favorable right now,” she said of bringing more talent to UMPI.

Houghton has two reasons to increase the size of the squad.

“There is a direct correlation between our wins and losses and our physical condition, especially with back-to-back games we play because of our location. If a person plays hard on Saturday, she cannot be so aggressive on Sunday.”

And there’s the new substitution rule.

“It compounds the problem,” she said. “If someone is hurt in the first five minutes of the first half and I take her out, she can’t go back until the second half. You need someone there.”

UMPI loses senior starters Debbie Sirois, a starting forward from St. Agatha, and fullback Doreen Bunnell of Concord, Vt.

Junior forward Beth Corrow of Caribou was the leading scorer with five of the team’s 13 goals. Presque Isle junior halfback Robin Blackstone was the team leader, playing any and all roles required.

“She’s the real motivator,” Houghton said. “As a new coach, I’m thankful to have her another year. She has good logic. I can put her anywhere. She sees the field well and has a good way of telling people what needs to be done without sounding dictatorial. She was the goalie last year and backup goalie this year.”

Freshman goalie Jodi Ahern of Howland, who recorded one shutout and averaged 11 saves per contest, was injured and did not play every game.

“She worked hard,” Houghton said. “She’s a player who will do anything to improve. She’s very easy to coach.”

Halfback Jeannie Robinson, a sophomore from Benedicta, was another key player who scored two goals. “She did that playing a lot of defense,” Houghton said. “She’s the player who gets the ball where it should go. She thinks before she acts.”

Houghton is taking a short break, getting ready for the high school skiing season as Fort Fairfield’s cross country ski coach.

“I needed a couple of weeks in between to study and get my family situated,” she said.”One thing that’s nice, is my son is on the team and I’ll get to spend time with him.”

Houghton said the soccer season was a personal success for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the two seniors are also her classmates.

“The season is over and we’re still friends,” she said with a chuckle. “Obviously, they did something right, and I guess I did, too.”