SCARBOROUGH — Scarborough High senior Ashley Gleason is a critical part of the girls’ soccer team that is entering the Western Class A playoffs on a roll, finishing 12-1-1 with a late-season tie against No. 1 Windham and a 2-0 win against Thornton Academy. Prior to Saturday’s game against Thornton, Gleason talked about what she hopes her team can accomplish, her impending move to the Old South, and her unique Twitter handle.
Q: What does that tie against Windham let you know about your team?
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A: It definitely gave us a lot of confidence, especially where it’s the end of the season. Going into the playoffs with that tie is a positive thing and it shows what we need to work on. Windham is definitely one of the best teams in the state so to tie them we know we’re good going into the playoffs.
Q: Earlier in the year, did the loss against Marshwood also have a learning capability?
A: In past years we’ve been able to just come out and get into the season, but that really opened our eyes that we need to start working harder, and practicing, and putting time into our season.
Q: Are you going to Alabama State (in Montgomery, Alabama)?
A: Yeah.
Q: How did that come about?
A: For my premier team, I play for Seacoast United, and we went to Super Y nationals in Florida and a couple of the coaches were there at the tournament. I had been talking to them, talking to a bunch of schools, and they were like, ‘You should come see the campus.’ I went to see the campus and practiced with the team, and they offered some scholarship and I just loved it down there. I love the South and I get to play soccer.”
Q: It’s a little unusual for a kid from Maine to go to what we consider the ‘Deep South.’ Do you have a connection to the area?
A: Not really. I just went down there and loved it, and my dad was encouraging me to go because he’s never gotten out of Maine.
Q: I’m curious, are you related to (2013 Telegram Softball Player of the Year) Danica Gleason?
A: No, we’re not related but we’re actually really good friends. We get that question a lot.
Q: Well, especially because I know you play softball and she does as well. Is softball very much your second sport?
A: Yeah, definitely. That’s kind of like the ‘for fun,’ offseason sport, but I’m wicked competitive so I love it. I’m not going to just sit back and relax. I’m going to play my hardest.
Q: Where do you think that comes from, that (competitive) mentality?
A: My parents, honestly. That’s just how I grew up. They’ve always pushed me to be my best. That’s what I do. Everything I do.
Q: So here we are, almost the end of the soccer season. Do you have that ideal image in your head of how soccer ends for you at Scarborough?
A: Obviously anybody’s cliche answer is winning states and going out big winners, but I just think if we end the season as a team and stay together I’m going to be excited. I love this team. We’re so closely knit. There are no cliques and stuff. If we just keep our chemistry up and play our best, that’s all we can ask for. Win or lose, go all the way or not, it’s going to be wicked fun.
Q: Twenty years from now, if you have kids of your own, what would you hope they get out of athletics?
A: Obviously winning is fun but that’s not the biggest thing. Hopefully I’m going to push them to be as competitive as they can be but just to do their best and have fun. That’s all I’m going to ask for.
Q: Do you prefer Twitter or Instagram?
A: I have an alter ego. Catsandcukes. That’s my Twitter name. It’s kind of a joke but it’s fun.
Q: So you like cat videos and cucumbers?
A: No. When I was making my Twitter account I was sitting with my cat on the couch and eating cucumbers and I was, like, ‘Catsandcukes. Why not?’ And it just stuck.
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