There is some pressure, senior Tawyna Godinez admits, in taking over a position previously held by a four-year starter and all-state player, especially in the high-profile position of goalkeeper.

But Godinez has had more than a year to prepare to replace Ilyse Angst as the Bangor girls soccer team goalie.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” Godinez said after recording a 3-1 win over Lawrence of Fairfield Saturday in her first high school soccer game. “Big shoes to fill.”

So what led the 5-foot-10 Godinez, a starter on Bangor’s basketball and softball teams, to take up soccer for the first time since she was in eighth grade?

Godinez, who is on basketball and softball teams with some of her soccer teammates, knew last summer if someone didn’t step into the goalie spot, the Rams would have to move standout fullback and backup goalie Rachel Roberts into the net.

That move could have weakened the defense, which has her teammates and coaches grateful Godinez decided to join the squad.

“We’re a much better team with Rachel in the field,” Bangor coach Larry Smith said. “That situation probably will probably do more for this team over the course of the season than anything else.”

And so Godinez dusted off her gloves.

“I played in seventh, eighth grade,” she said. “Some techniques are a little rusty. … [Angst] just told me to relax and don’t be nervous, have fun.”

Godinez had a mixed debut Saturday, allowing a first-half goal when she came out to her left to make a save but fell while going after the ball. The Bangor defenders tried to get organized in front of the net, but it was too late to stop Lawrence’s Natasha Morris from scoring.

“There was a little bit of miscommunication on defense,” Godinez said. “I was in the state of mind of, should I just go get that or should I not? Just one mistake led to a goal. It’s not going to happen again.”

Smith is confident Godinez won’t make many more mistakes, either.

“She has the potential to be the best high school girls goalie in the state this year,” he said. “As soon as she settles in and gets used to some of the soccer moves versus what her strength has been, which is basketball moves, she’ll be very, very good.”

EM title boosted Bangor numbers

There’s little doubt that Bangor’s 2005 Eastern Maine Class A title has contributed to a jump in tryout numbers this fall that necessitated the program’s first cuts in several years.

Ninety-three girls tried out for the team this year, about 13 more than last season when the Rams won their first regional title with a 3-2 win over Brunswick. The program is carrying 25 varsity players, 30 junior varsity players, and 23 freshmen players.

No coaches want to cut players, but too-large rosters make it hard to run drills in practice and give everybody enough playing time in games.

“Now the numbers are such that we’re having some growing pains and we’re needing to make cuts,” said Smith, who is in his second season as the Rams’ head coach and was a volunteer assistant for three years under former coach Jeff Ingalls.

“It’s more and more competitive for spots on varsity,” he added. “Now all the girls in our program have a lot of soccer experience and skills.”

Smith credits local travel club teams such as Bangor Soccer Club and Black Bear United – Smith has coached teams for both programs in the past – for the overall increase in ability.

“They’ve really created a stronger soccer athlete,” he said. “Five years ago we would have a handful of kids with good soccer skills and another handful or two of good strong athletes. We’ve now got strong soccer athletes 1-25 on varsity. It’s a nice luxury.”

Gorham won the Class A state title last year with a 1-0 win over Bangor.