The high school soccer season started for Robby Lentine with a change in positions.
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After playing his first three varsity seasons at Windham at center back, Lentine moved forward in the formation to midfield.
“To change positions, it’s almost like a completely different game, but basically I was just doing whatever our coach thought was best for the team,” Lentine said. “It seemed to work out well and I really enjoyed myself in my new position.”
In fact, Lentine thrived, as did the Eagles.
Not only did he lead the team in scoring with 21 goals and 10 assists, but he helped Windham capture its first Class A boys’ soccer championship, and that was enough for him to be selected as the Maine Sunday Telegram player of the year for the sport.
In addition to his penchant for scoring goals, Lentine brought a huge intangible to his new position.
“He never stops playing and he energizes us,” said first-year coach Colin Minte. “When the rest of the team saw how hard he was working, it just picked them up. Robby is not an especially vocal player, but he led by example.”
Lentine had to make some changes in his game after he made the move from defense, and he credited his teammates with helping him make a smooth transition.
“When you switch to offensive center mid, which I did, there are a lot of things you can’t do defensively,” he said. “There were things that I did in the past that I couldn’t do that the younger guys in the back had to step up and do, and they did. They executed the things they needed to do.”
His teammates weren’t really surprised to learn Lentine had a knack for scoring.
“To be honest, I didn’t think he was going to be able to pull 21 goals out, but we moved him to outside back on our premier team so he could attack,” said goalie Dana King, who has played on club teams with Lentine since both players were in the fifth grade.
“I think he’s always had some sort of attacking ability in him, but he was such a great defender we wanted him in our back line.”
Even in his new position forward in the formation, Lentine sometimes dropped back to help out on defense.
“He’s a complete player,” Minte said. “He can finish and score, and he can come back and play defense. Not a lot of players can do that.”
No matter which position he plays, Lentine has the same approach to soccer.
“He does all the little things you would want him to,” Minte said.
Lentine’s performance this fall drew the interest from coaches at Division II and III schools up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
“Sometimes a player is a little hidden on defense, but after moving forward in the formation he’s drawn the attention of coaches from all sorts of colleges,” Minte said.
Lentine expects to make a decision on a college next month.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetitPPH
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