Bangor leads Eastern All-State Maine Soccer Coaches vote for top high school soccer players

BANGOR – The Bangor High girls soccer team didn’t get quite as far as it wanted to in the Class A playoffs this fall.

Nevertheless, the state’s soccer coaches have recognized four of the Rams as among the top players in Eastern Maine. With two Bangor boys also receiving Eastern All-State awards, Bangor was the most decorated school at Sunday’s Maine Soccer Coaches’ All-Star banquet.

Also honored during the ceremonies at the Spectacular Events Center were the players named to the regional All-Star teams for Classes A, B, C and D, All-New England and All-America winners, and Coaches of the Year.

The regional teams were picked by a vote of soccer coaches from the entire state. The top boys and girl vote-getters were named All-America. This year, two boys were tied: Bangor’s Jay Jeffrey and Waterville’s Kyle McMorrow. Waterville’s Christine Serdjenian was also named All-America.

Jeffrey and McMorrow were also honored as boys All-New England picks. Girls on that team included Serdjenian and Erin Corey of Winslow.

The Eastern and Western All-State teams were made up of the top players in each region, regardless of class.

The boys and girls were honored in separate ceremonies. About 500 players, coaches and family members attended the banquet.

Three Bangor seniors – the forward tandem of Melissa Achorn and Jana Savage, sweeper Kerri Tuck – and junior goalie Katherine Miller were all named to the Eastern Maine All-State team.

The four girls, combined with All-American Jay Jeffrey of Bangor and Ram fullback Eben Sypitkowski (who was named to the Eastern Maine state team), made up a formidable bunch for the Class A school.

“We put just as much effort in as everyone else,” Achorn said.

Bangor girls coach Jeff Ingalls, in attendance to see his Rams get their awards, agreed with Achorn, who happens to be his stepdaughter.

Ingalls coached the Rams to the Eastern Maine Class A semifinals, where they lost to eventual state runner-up Brunswick.

“These kids put a lot of time into this game,” he said. “I think they deserved their awards today … these kids are great kids. It’s nice to see the other coaches honor Bangor kids. It’s a credit to the coaches and their outlook, too.”

Savage nearly didn’t get her certificate with the rest of the team when announcer Ed Marshall, the Madawaska girls coach, accidentally skipped over her name during the awards ceremony.

The omission was rectified a few minutes later, but not without some nervous moments for Savage.

“I did feel a little silly,” she said with a laugh.

Three Hampden players were named to the Eastern Maine state team (Sean Tardif and Ryan Kaufman made the boys team, and Samantha Kingsbury was on the girls squad).

East Coaches of the Year were Rick Jones of Waterville and Scott Corey of Winslow.

The Senior Bowl, in which the senior all-stars play, is tentatively scheduled for June 24 at MBNA Field in Northport.