Jordan Meyers admitted that playing for the National Premier League’s Maine Sting has been a “little intimidating.”

That’s because Meyers, at age 17, is the youngest player on the team and has teammates who are in their mid to late-20s and have already had productive college careers.

Meyers, who will be a senior at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, scored the tying goal in the 89th minute in a 2-2 tie with Queen City of Buffalo, N.Y. last weekend.

“That was unbelievable. Earlier in the game, I felt at fault for [Queen City’s] second goal. I wanted to make up for it. I was really relieved [to score the tying goal],” said Meyers.

Meyers said it has been an eye-opening summer “because the skill level is really good. Everyone on the team bring a lot of talent to the table.

“It’s great getting to play with guys from England, Canada, down south and everywhere else. The experience I’m getting is awesome,” said Meyers.

He said he has been well-accepted by his teammates and has learned a great deal which he intends to apply this fall.

“I’m really looking forward to the high school season. I’ve learned to be more aggressive and to make myself bigger on the field. It’s going to come in handy,” said Meyers. “I’ve learned the importance of movement off the ball. I pick things up just watching our other players.”

“He’s holding his own. He has good soccer sense and reads the game well,” said Sting coach Bill Ashby.

Meyers has benefited by the exodus of eight players for various reasons, according to Ashby.

Three other beneficiaries been former Bangor High School standouts Eben Sypitkowski, Dylan George and Payson Nichols.

Sypitkowski, who played his college soccer at Bates College in Lewiston, has started the last four games in the back; goalkeeper Nichols played a game and a half last weekend after replacing the injured David Stevenson (shoulder) and George, who missed last weekend’s two games due to a family situation, has played in one game after arriving to the team late.

George, who plays at the University of New Hampshire, should see considerable playing time and is expected to put the ball in the net, according to Ashby.

“He has all the tools,” said Ashby.

Ashby said Sypitkowski has been “a very solid and tenacious defender” and Nichols did a “good job” stepping in for Stevenson.

“He held his own. I was very happy with his performance,” said Ashby.

Nichols allowed four goals in his game and a half.

The Sting, 0-2-3, will play three road games in four days this weekend.

LaBelle prepping for senior year

Christine LaBelle is going to be a senior at the University of Maine and playing for the Maine Sting is preparing her for her final season.

“It has been a real good experience. I’m getting the training I need,” said striker LaBelle, a former America East All-Rookie team selection who has scored two goals this summer.

“The competition is real good. There are a lot of older women who are out of college and a lot who are still in college,” said LaBelle, who is from Nepean, Ontario and played for Ottawa in the W League last summer. “I’ve been able to stay fit and playing is the best thing for me. I don’t lose my focus.”

She said getting the opportunity to play with Black Bear teammate Kim Stephenson from Hampden, who will also be a senior, is going to be advantageous.

“It has been real good to play with her. It’s always good when we play together,” said LaBelle, who has scored two goals in each of her last two seasons at Maine.

Tide coach Graham Chandler said LaBelle has been impressive.

“She’s a good, solid player. She’s aggressive and works really hard. We try not to take her off too much,” said Chandler.

The 2-5-1 Tide doesn’t play again until July 12.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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