This is Pine Tree Academy’s first year in Class D, but already the Breakers of Freeport are proving to be a team to beat.

Going into today’s game against Acadia Christian, the Breakers are 9-0, outscoring opponents, 59-6.

Previously the Breakers played in the co-ed Christian league, but Coach Leszek Krzywon said the sport was so popular at Pine Tree Academy, the school decided to divide the players into a boys’ and girls’ team, entering the boys’ team in Class D.

Krzywon has coached at the school for 10 years, and said most of his players have played soccer since grade school. That’s the key to their first-year success, he said.

Krzywon said he hasn’t scouted other teams beyond last year’s championship squads, Richmond and Greenville, so knows very little about the competition.

But his years playing while growing up in his native Poland have given him a keen understanding of plays that work. He’s already passed on much of his knowledge to his players.

“In Poland, we play it every day. They don’t play it as much here as in Europe. I’m very big on ball possession, conditioning and passing. I have certain systems that work for us, that we’ve played for years. Many of them have played since elementary school. That’s the key, to catch them young, in grades one to four. That way they know the basics,” Krzywon said.

Senior center midfielders Nathan Verrill and Lukasz Krzywon; senior Brandon Pierce, who plays left inside, and senior sweeper Anthony Matos are the driving force on offense, Krzywon said. But junior forward Drew Goorhuis is the Breakers’ finisher.

“We like to control the ball,” Krzywon said.

Pine Tree Academy is ranked third in Western Class D, but Krzywon said they don’t look ahead, or even at what they’ve accomplished. He says they just take it one half at a time.

“We didn’t know where we’d stand this year. We had some pretty good seniors. We don’t have superstars. We play as a team,” Krzywon said. “I have no idea what to expect, I just told them, ‘Play your best.’ I think we are competitive but who knows?”

SITTING 8-2 WITH the easier part of its schedule left, second-ranked Windham could head into the Western Class A playoffs 12-2 with a bye week, and its dilemma is finding a scrimmage to stay sharp.

Considering the team lost in the first round last season, first-year coach Colin Minte will take his situation.

Minte’s only concern is keeping his team sharp during the eight days between the last game of the regular season and the first playoff game, particularly his sharpshooters, Robby Lentine and Brian Soucy.

“They account for close to 50 percent of our goals,” Minte said.

The fact Windham beat top-ranked Scarborough 3-2 early in the season gives Minte faith in a playoff run.

“That game felt good enough. I did a fair amount of scouting. They are a strong all-around team. We just defended them well. Hopefully we’ll see them again,” Minte said.

Minte said all eight teams at the top of the Heal point standings are a threat.

“It’s kind of scary to have eight teams deep. I’ve been around Maine soccer for a while. I’ve never seen Western Class A like this,” Minte said.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at: dfleming@pressherald.com

Twitter: FlemingPph

 

Copy the Story Link