Nate Benoit has stepped down as Husson College men’s soccer coach after two years to take a job as an assistant engineer for the Maine Department of Transportation’s bridge (repair and design) program.

Benoit’s office will be located in Augusta which made it impossible for him to continue as the Braves’ coach.

“It was a very difficult decision for me to make. Soccer has been a big part of my life since I was seven years old,” said the former University of Maine goalkeeper, who will receive his masters degree in civil engineering from Maine in May. “I’ve been a student for 71/2 years and it was just a matter of time before I accepted more responsibility.

“At this point, this is the right career path for me. If I didn’t accept this position now, I may never have [taken a job in engineering]. To be in school as long as I have been, it is real important for me to give it a shot. Otherwise, my education would have been a waste,” added the Portland native and former Deering High School standout.

“I’m going to give it a good three to four years and if it doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll return to soccer,” said Benoit, who will marry Nicole Morissette on June 9.

Benoit guided the Braves to a 21-12-2 record in his two seasons including a Maine Athletic Conference tournament championship and a berth in the NAIA Region 10 Tournament two years ago and the top seed for the MAC tourney last fall. He assisted Mitch Ellisen for a year at Husson prior to being named the head coach.

“Coaching at Husson was a tremendous experience for me. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a head coach at my age,” said the 26-year-old Benoit, who is coaching a team of U-13 boys for the Rising Sun program in the Bangor-area.

He said the new coach will have a good group of returnees, some fine recruits and a brand new field to look forward to.

“There’s a lot of good things at Husson,” said Benoit.

Filighera signs four recruits

The University of Maine’s women’s hockey program has addressed its needs for scoring punch and depth.

That was the word from coach Rick Filighera, who received National Letters of Intent from forwards Rebecca Culver of Topsham, Andrea Steranko of Regina, Saskatchewan and Cheryl White of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and defenseman Laura Maddin of Surrey, British Columbia.

The Maine women had a school-record 15 wins to go with 14 losses and a tie but averaged just 2.7 goals per game and were held to two goals or less 13 times.

“They aren’t superstars but they are very solid players who will make an impact. Steranko could do what Droog did this year,” said Filighera, referring to freshman winger Karen Droog’s 22-goal season. “Culver, with her size and strength, has the potential to score goals from around the net. And she could be similar to [sophomore winger] Cindy Biron in grit. White played on boys teams and can definitely skate at this level. She plays with a lot of intensity. When she played on girls teams, she scored a lot of goals.”

Steranko had 48 goals and 37 assists in 35 games for the Regina Royals Midget girls program.

Maddin will supply both offense and defense at the blue line.

“She’s offensive-minded, she can skate and she handles the puck well,” said Filighera.

She said they are all very good students and unselfish players who put the team ahead of themselves.

All National Letter of Intent signings are contingent upon admission to the school and compliance with NCAA rules.