SAINT AGATHA – From its windswept field behind the high school, the Wisdom girls soccer team has a picturesque view of Long Lake.

After six wins last year, who would have thought the Pioneers’ picture this season would be just as pretty as the view?

Wisdom is 8-0 and enjoying its best fall since 1997.

“I knew we’d be decent,” said Wisdom coach Mim Gagnon, who is in her eighth season. “I never thought we’d be [8-0].”

The Pioneers didn’t lose any seniors from last year’s team but Gagnon has just 14 girls on the roster, with one player out with an injury. That leaves just two substitutes on the bench.

But that seems to work out well for the team. Halfway into their season, the Pioneers are well-conditioned and the younger players have gained experience.

“We don’t have big numbers so everyone gets a chance to play and everybody gets a lot of playing time,” Gagnon said.

The team went to 8-0 Friday after beating Central Aroostook of Mars Hill 1-0. The Panthers were 5-2 coming into the game.

The Class D Pioneers also earned a 2-1 win over Class C Madawaska last week. The Owls aren’t as strong as they have been in previous years but the Wisdom girls were excited – it’s probably been nine years since they beat their St. John Valley rival.

“We knew last year would be kind of a training year,” said fullback Heather Anderson. “This year we were ready to come in and kick some butt. We want this bad.”

Wisdom will likely get its biggest test this season with a game scheduled for Tuesday against Van Buren.

Wings Christa Lizotte and Cindy Chamberland provide the scoring punch for Wisdom. Lizotte, a junior, leads the Pioneers with seven goals and six assists.

“We were talking about soccer during softball and we were talking about how excited we were,” Chamberland said. “We knew she was going to be the right wing and I’d be the left wing. She’s very fast, faster than me. I stay behind because I can’t keep up with her.”

Michelle Bourgoin, who had the game-winner against Central Aroostook, is the starting center halfback and Anderson is the center fullback. Josee Chamberland is the stopper.

“Defensively, Heather is in charge of what’s going on there,” Gagnon said. “My defense is really coming alive.”

The biggest defensive key has been goalie Shannon Berube, whom Gagnon credits for getting the Pioneers to where they are. Berube has given up four goals.

Berube said she worked over the summer with her brother Jamie, a former Wisdom standout who played in college.

One change Gagnon has made this year has come in scheduling. With several weeks of September and October taken up by a break for the potato harvest, traditionally the Pioneers have been a bit out of shape when they return to school.

In past years, Gagnon has scheduled just one regular-season game after harvest. This year the Pioneers will play four.

“Even if we lose a couple of [the post-harvest games] I’m hoping that will get us back into condition for the playoffs,” Gagnon said.

Guerrette runs with Pioneers

The Wisdom girls had a special guest at some practices recently.

Tracy Guerrette, a Wisdom graduate who helped lead the Pioneers to the 1998 Class D state basketball championship and the 1997 Eastern Maine Class D soccer title, spent three days working out with her high school team.

Guerrette played four years of basketball at the University of Maine and served as a captain last season.

Gagnon said having Guerrette at practices was a great motivator.

“She worked with the girls and blended right in just like she was a kid again,” Gagnon said. “The kids try to impress her.”

Guerrette is finishing up at UMaine, and then wants to apply to medical school, Gagnon said. The former point guard is also training for a triathlon.

“Lance Armstrong is her hero,” Gagnon said with a laugh.

Worcester’s whistle whoops

Larry Worcester committed the ultimate refereeing faux pas when he showed up at last Thursday evening’s Fort Kent-Houlton boys soccer game without a whistle.

The game was delayed for a minute while officials tracked down an extra whistle for the longtime soccer referee, who also coaches boys varsity soccer and basketball at Washburn.

“I’m a phys ed teacher and I usually have one in my pocket, so I don’t know what happened,” Worcester said with a smile after the game.

“This sounds like a Tony Tammaro story,” Houlton coach Todd Willard said, referring to the colorful basketball referee who recently died.

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.