His best freshman class, the return of two former All-Maine Athletic Conference players after a one-year absence, and a solid corps of returnees have fourth-year Husson College women’s soccer coach Keith Bosley hopeful of his first berth in a league championship game.

Husson has been eliminated in the semifinals the previous two years.

“We have added talent in all areas,” said Bosley whose Braves are off to a 1-2 start with both losses being by a goal.

“This is definitely the most talented team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said senior fullback and tri-captain Mandy Fanjoy of Dexter.

“We have a lot of experience,” added senior striker and tri-captain Kate Calligan of Hermon.

The Braves have regained the services of senior midfielder Erin Pelletier of Madawaska, who took last year off to handle a heavy academic work load in physical therapy. Hermon junior midfielder Kiera Dorr also returns after spending last year in Florida.

Both were All-MAC selections earlier in their careers.

The returnees include strikers Calligan, the school’s all-time leading scorer, and Kristin Pelletier of Madawaska, Erin’s sophomore sister; midfielders Tina Tobin of Limestone and Janie Michaud of Madawaska; fullbacks Fanjoy, Teresa Haddad of Lowell, Mass., Sarah Cole of Swanville and Samantha Scott of Sullivan and goalie Meghann Taylor of Orono. Taylor, a junior, already owns the school record for shutouts with 22.

Calligan, Kristen Pelletier and Taylor were All-MAC choices last year.

Limestone’s Allison Dugal and New Hampshire native Jessica Letendre also saw some playing time last year. Dugal can play midfield or in the back and Letendre is an outside midfielder.

The gifted group of newcomers is headlined by former Bangor High School standouts Melissa Achorn, a striker, and sweeper Kerry Tuck along with midfielder Beatrice DeYcaza of Ecuador.

Island Falls’ Rhonda Chambers and Newport’s Jackie Speaker are also expected to contribute. Chambers is a midfielder-striker while Speaker is a midfielder-fullback.

Fort Fairfield’s Janet Hyslop was just cleared to play, eligibility-wise, and will provide depth in the back.

Achorn and Kristin Pelletier each had three goals and an assist in Husson’s season-opening 8-0 win over Notre Dame College (N.H.).

The players christened their new John Boucher Field in a 2-1 loss to UM-Farmington and enjoyed their new playing surface.

“It’s nice to play on a field that is all grass instead of one with dirt on it,” said Haddad referring to the field they shared for years with the baseball and men’s soccer teams.

“It’s awesome,” added Fanjoy.

“And it’s nice having our own field instead of sharing one with baseball,” said Calligan.

Husson will visit the University of Maine-Fort Kent on Sunday afternoon.