Now that his program has survived possible extinction due to athletic department budget cuts, University of Maine men’s soccer coach Travers Evans can concentrate on the task at hand: building a team that can begin turning the program around.

And Evans, in the wake of last fall’s 2-14 campaign, has put the finishing touches on a 12-member recruiting class by receiving four more commitments to join the eight recruits previously announced.

The four new recruits:

. York High School midfielder David Philbrick, who holds his school’s career and regular-season records for assists;

. Former high school All-American forward and Maine Gatorade Player of the Year Kyle Vosmus of Brunswick;

. Colombian midfielder Daniel Florez, who is transferring to Maine from Dean Junior College (Mass.); and

. Ryan Hodges, a Michigan Olympic Development Program fullback.

The eight other recruits already committed are: former Ellsworth High School standout Cooper Friend, ex-Falmouth High School stars Eric Peterson and Andy Halligan, Essex Junction, Vt., natives Chad Mongeon and Ben Wilcox, Ohio products Adam Chenault and Michael Keighley and Wilmington, Mass., native Kevin Forgett.

Halligan transferred from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

“This is the best [incoming] class we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Evans, who will start his third season as the head coach in the fall after four years as an assistant at Maine. “I’m real happy with this group. They will really help us get to where we want to go. We aren’t looking to be better two years down the road, we want to be markedly better next season.

“A number of these players will compete for starting spots right away,” added Evans.

Maine lost seven games by five or more goals last fall and Evans said, “that’s not acceptable.”

Evans has and equivalence of just 2.5 scholarships available -NCAA Division I programs are allowed 9.9 – and said “We were very creative in our recruiting this year. We found a way to spread the resources around and help multiple people.”

He predicted a “real competitive’ training camp in fall.

Twelve of those players in camp will be Maine natives and Evans said that is a tribute to the improvement in the level of play in Maine.

Metcalf chosen Maine’s MVP

Senior defenseman Peter Metcalf, who captained the University of Maine’s hockey team to a berth in the NCAA championship game and produced 50 points in 44 games, was chosen the team’s Most Valuable Player at the team’s banquet at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer last Friday.

Senior goalie Mike Morrison was selected the outstanding defensive player; junior center Martin Liscak was the coaches award winner for overall contributions to the team; and junior left winger and newly appointed captain Chris Heisten was picked the most inspirational player.

Other awards included: freshman defenseman Troy Barnes, most improved player; junior left winger Lucas Lawson, stein award winner for bringing the proper emotional level to a game; right winger Colin Shields, rookie of the year; junior right winger Gray Shaneberger, the unsung hero; senior right wing Niko Dimitrakos, three-star award for best player in home games; and junior center Marty Kariya, never-give-up award for tenacity in practice and in games. Kariya was also honored for having the highest grade point average (3.75).

UNH senior center Darren Haydar was Maine’s most honored opponent as picked by the players.

Gayle and Wayne Killam were honored for their volunteer work for the Maine program and Kaitlin Sighinolfi won the Pepsi spirit award.

Lamoine’s Donaldson receives honor

Bates College senior catcher Ben Donaldson, a Lamoine native and former Ellsworth High School standout, was an All-NESCAC first team selection.

Bowdoin College second baseman Kevin Bougie of Sanford was also a first-team pick while Colby College junior shortstop Kevin Brunelle of Augusta was a second-team pick.

Bowdoin outfielders Seth Paradis and Rob Metzler and Bates outfielder Rob Maguire were second-team selections, also.

Donaldson started all 31 Bates games and hit .292 with career-highs for hits (33), runs (19), doubles (7) and homers (3). His 14 RBIs tied a career-high and he had 13 multiple-hit games.

He played in all of Bates’ 119 games during his career and started 116 of them, setting school records in both. He hit .288 during his career with six homers and 49 RBIs.