Thomas Mourmouras obviously has made the most of his opportunities this year on the Johns Hopkins men’s soccer team.

Mourmouras, a freshman from Biddeford who played at Cheverus High, has taken one shot this season for the Blue Jays. It resulted in a goal that won a game.

Additional Photos

Thomas Mourmouras of Biddeford, who played his high school soccer at Cheverus, is getting considerable playing time as a freshman at Johns Hopkins University. Courtesy Johns Hopkins University

“It was pretty exciting,” said Mourmouras, a midfielder. “It was probably my best goal.”

That it came against a rival, York College, and in overtime made it just a little more special.

Mourmouras is one of a dozen freshmen on the Baltimore-based Division III school’s roster. And he’s getting plenty of playing time.

“His first touch is very tight, his passes are clean,” said Coach Craig Appleby. “He’s also very strong on the ball.

“Not a lot of freshmen can come in and handle the physical nature of college soccer. But he knows how to throw his weight to protect his space and protect the ball.

“That’s why we recruited him. It’s not the norm for freshmen to come in and play right away.”

Both Mourmouras and Appleby credit his time with the Seacoast United premier club team as helping his soccer development. He played against top talent nationwide and improved greatly.

But his time at Cheverus was also important.

“Cheverus soccer helped in that it built a lot of character and provided me with a leadership aspect,” said Mourmouras. “I also had to deal with going into a new school, not knowing anyone and playing my freshman year. I’m going through that process again.”

This time, the 18-year-old Mourmouras has 11 classmates to help the adjustment to not only college soccer, but college life.

“It’s made the transition a lot easier,” he said. “We have that chemistry that makes it easier to get into the game and college.”

The adjustments he has had to make are not only on the field, where players are bigger and faster, but in his life.

“Time management is pretty big,” said Mourmouras, who is studying biomaterials engineering (the manufacturing of prosthetics). “Trying to juggle the academics, all the time that goes into soccer and try to have a social life too you pretty much have to put your social life on the back burner for a semester and focus on the other two.”

Appleby first saw Mourmouras last year playing for Seacoast United in a tournament. Johns Hopkins was one of the few schools that offered his academic choice, so it was a natural fit.

And Mourmouras made a great first impression with his game-winning goal.

“Five minutes left in overtime, the ball came across the top of the box from the 18, I hit a volley that dipped over the keeper’s head,” said Mourmouras.

The goal now is to keep pushing forward.

“I’m just hoping that my team can play as well as it can,” said Mourmouras, “and push as far as we can into the postseason.”

FIELD HOCKEY

Junior forward Hannah Clark of Falmouth has one goal and one assist for Middlebury College. She had an assist in the Panthers’ 4-3 victory over Trinity last week.

• Senior goalie Meghan Ledoux of Standish (Bonny Eagle) was named goalkeeper of the week in the Little East Conference. She is 6-1 on the season, with a 1.06 goals-against average. She most recently made 13 saves in a 3-1 win over Castleton State.

GOLF

Cory Clark of Daniel Webster, a freshman from Sanford, was named New England Collegiate Conference rookie of the week after tying for first in a dual match victory over Newbury College. He shot an 85. Junior Emily Bouchard of Saco (Thornton Academy) shot an 84 to help the Eagles finish fourth in a recent invitational.

MEN’S SOCCER

Freshman forward Brian Arsenault of South Portland has two goals and three assists for Clark University. He has one game-winning goal. Freshman midfielder Noah Stolkner of Saco (Thornton Academy) is also on the Cougars’ roster.

• Junior defender Matthew Howard of Brunswick has played in every game for Wheelock College.

SWIMMING

Senior Matt Violette of Westbrook has been named a captain of the Washington College men’s team. Violette holds the school record in the 500 freestyle and is second in the 400 individual relay.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Maddie Cave of Thomaston was named an assistant coach at St. Michael’s. She graduated last spring and played in 50 games for the Purple Knights, with 14 goals and eight assists.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Joanna Clark of Windham, a graduate student, has a 3-3 record and a 1.13 goals-against average for Clark. She has two shutouts and 25 saves. Junior defender Marie Sirois of Saco (Thornton Academy) has appeared in five games for the Cougars.

CROSS COUNTRY

Sophomore Erika Roth of Saco (Thornton Academy) has been the top finisher for the Clark women in their first two meets. She’s joined on the Cougars’ roster by senior Gwen Hayes of Kennebunk, junior Isabel Burgess of Cumberland (Greely) and freshman Eleanor Hurd of Yarmouth.

• Sophomore Craig Robinson of Scarborough finished second to help Bentley win the recent Shacklette Invitational at St. Anselm College. He completed the 8,000-meter course in 27:03.9 as the Falcons swept the first seven positions.

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com

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