BRUNSWICK

This spring, Brunswick High School sports fans will see three new coaches patrolling the lacrosse sidelines, tennis courts and softball field as the spring sports season ramps up.

Girls lacrosse

It wasn’t that long ago that Steph Fisher was manning the net for Beth Caputi’s team.

In fact, it was 2008, Fisher’s senior season, when the Dragons downed Kennebunk in the Class A state championship, 15-11, to cap off a 15-0 season after two runner-up finishes in Fisher’s sophomore and junior years.

After last season, another appearance for Brunswick in the Class A title game (an 11-9 loss to Scarborough), Caputi stepped away from the sport, and the 23-year-old Fisher was hired as the team’s new leader.

“It’s a little bit weird,” admitted Fisher, who by day is a long-term substitute biology teacher at BHS after graduating from Trinity College as a neuroscience and biology double major. “I loved Brunswick as a student when I was here, and high school was one of my favorite times. It is still strange to be back here as a teacher and a coach, knowing that I will influence these kids, both in the classroom and on the playing field.”

“I am excited about Steph’s energy,” said Caputi. “She has confidence and knows the game. This team will be young, so this is her chance to make her own team.”

Fisher had a stellar career at Brunswick, capped by her selection as an All-American in 2008, before heading off to Trinity College, located in Hartford, Conn. In her sophomore year, Fisher’s play in goal (7-1, NESCAC-leading 7.02 goals-against average) helped the Bantams to an NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, falling to Gettysburg in a Regional final.

An injury ended her junior year, and Fisher decided to forgo her senior playing campaign to coach lacrosse at Renbrook Middle School in West Hartford.

“I realized that I can’t play forever, but I can coach forever,” said Fisher.

As far as being a young coach? “I was in their shoes not too long ago, so as a young coach I am not that far removed from being right here,” said Fisher.

Fisher’s biggest concern was stepping into the coaching alumni in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference.

“I’m new to all of the other coaches,” said Fisher, whose Dragons open at Cony on today. “In the KVAC, the coaches have been around for a while. (Morse coach) Linda Levesque and Beth are great friends, and now Beth has retired and I am a 23-year-old trying to fill those big shoes.

“My other worry is maybe they were successful because they had such a great coach who loves the game.”

Returning seniors this season are captains Lillian Kjellman (attack) and Olivia LeRoy (defense), along with classmates Eliza Brooks (A), Libby Arford (midfield) and Savanna Kay (D). Juniors back in the fold are Caley Nicholson (Captain, D), Grace Rabinowitz (MF/A), Jessica McGoldrick (MF/D), Juliana Rattey (D), Natalie Grant (D) and Sasha Hampton (D).

Brunswick sophomores are Anna Ferdinand (D), Anna McMillian (A), EmaLeigh Aschbrenner (goaltender), Sarah Judd (MF), Savanna Smith (D/A), Shannah Duffy (D/MF) and Sydney Anderson (A/MF).

“We are very defensively strong, with many of the girls playing attack used to playing defense, which should make our midfield and transition game a strength,” said Fisher. “In goal, EmaLeigh has been fantastic and eager to learn. She has stepped up a lot from where she was and is proving herself every day.”

Fisher has high expectations for her team.

“I believe this team is capable of going back to states, despite losing some key members,” said Fisher.

Boys tennis

While teaching his Mt. Ararat High School social studies class, Sewall Janeway had considered becoming a high school coach.

But, when he heard Brunswick needed a boys tennis coach for this season, Janeway put in an application and was hired, with his first KVAC tilt a tough one against perennial power Lewiston on April 22.

“I am a lifetime tennis player,” said Janeway, the father of four children and a grandfather of two. “I have a passion for the sport. I have taught recreation department programs and coached high school soccer in Vermont before we moved to Maine.

“I am a middle-of-the-road tennis player, no superstar, but I play competitively and enjoy that.”

So far, Janeway has been impressed with his Dragons.

“We have a respectable bunch of guys, with seniors who hit the ball real well in Jimmy Kenyon (No. 2 singles) and Mitchell Cooney (No. 1 singles), along with (senior) Henry Ditzel, and (junior) Angelo Gerardi and (junior) Joel Soloway,” said Janeway. All in all, I think we will field a strong team. It will be good to get this experience and work with great guys.”

Janeway’s roster includes senior Patrick Kinnee, junior Damian Koch, sophomores Ross Munn and Oliver Smith, and freshmen Ben Lord, Ben Farrell and Xander Knox.

“I have spoken a couple times with (Mt. Ararat boys tennis coach) Don Foley, and he has certainly been helpful in teaching me how it is set up in high school tennis,” said Janeway, whose Dragons will face Foley’s Eagles on April 26 and May 22. “It is a pretty intense schedule, with three matches a week after the April vacation, but I think these guys are ready for the challenge.”

Softball

Luke Potter takes over the Dragons after a tough 2012 (1- 15).

The good news for Brunswick is only two players graduated, giving the new head man a core of players that have been there in the KVAC.

“We are young and energetic,” said Potter, whose team opens at home against Hampden Academy on April 17. “We will find ways to get on the bases and score runs. Our pitching staff is young, and we will look for them to grow by leaps and bounds this season.

“This is a new program and a new team, so we need to focus inwardly and concentrate on what we are going on a daily basis. Commitment to getting better each and every day is essential.”

Seniors Rachel Moroney (infield), Jena Libby (catcher), Kelly Bridges (infield) and Leah Andreotti (infield) return, along with juniors Mary Sasso (C/IF), KK Teel (P/IF) and Ashley Howell (P/IF). A key newcomer may be outfielder Lindsey Anderson, a junior, with the rest of the roster expected to take shape before the opener.

“It does not matter who we are playing, we must concentrate on ourselves and what we are doing to try and win ball games,” said Potter. “We will take nobody for granted.”

Girls tennis

Last season was one for the record books for the Dragons, rolling to the Eastern Maine Class A state title with a 3-2 victory over Catherine McAuley.

This year, coach Rob Manter still has junior and defending Maine Principals’ Association Schoolgirls champion Maisie Silverman as his No. 1 singles player, along with No. 2 singles standout and junior Ali Stankiewicz.

The challenges will be in filling out the rest of the lineup, with the graduation of No. 3 singles player Laura Pavitt, and the loss of No. 1 doubles players Alexa Rivers (graduation) and Gillian Ford (didn’t return).

“We have the returning number-two doubles team of junior Leah Soloway and junior Samiera MacMullen back, along with senior Hannah Bobker, and they will probably make up our number three singles player and number-one doubles team,” said Manter, whose squad opens at home against Lewiston on April 22.

Moving up from the jayvee team are seniors Ari Kasabian, Ellie Mersereau, Hannah Kressbach and Hannah Duffek, along with junior Samm Clark and sophomore Maddie Stoll. Rounding out the squad are freshmen Elizabeth Day and Gillian Doehring.

“We should be strong, if not stronger, at singles with Maisie and Ali back at the top,” said Manter. “But, like every year, Lewiston always reloads, along with teams like Bangor and Hampden Academy. I think if everything falls into place, we will be very competitive.”

Baseball

Coach Bill Ridge has a young team after a 3-13 campaign, but feels his roster consists of solid baseball players.

“We have our two best pitchers back in Jason Carter and Brady Larson, with pitching our strongpoint,” said Ridge. “Because we are young and lost eight starters, we have so many open spots and the efforts of the players has been great. They are each working like they are all starters, with no laziness.

“Two years ago, we were 7-2 in one-run games, and last year it was the opposite. If we can turn that around again, we will be in the mix.”

Seniors Brett Lancaster (designated hitter/first base/pitcher), Carter (outfield) and Tommy Favreau (shortstop), along with juniors Larson (OF) and Adam Casey (right field) are the returnees, with newcomers (juniors) Satchel Toole (OF), Ryan Maciejewski (catcher), Ryan Brescia (infield), Derek Devereaux (second base/SS) and Cam Heatley (utility), (sophomores) Parker Wild (third base), John Parker (P/OF) and Charlie Howell (first base/DH) battling for playing time.

“In general once you get past Messalonskee and Bangor in the North, the KVAC is wide open, with few able to predict that third-place team,” said Ridge, whose squad hosts Hampden Academy on April 17 (1 p.m.). “Oxford Hills should be strong in the South, with Lewiston always a contender, along with Cony. But, I feel that we can compete on any given day.”

Track

Coaches Dave DeLois and Greg Nadeau return what looks to be competitive team for the KVAC Championships (May 25 at Bath). Brunswick opens today at Mt. Ararat (3:30 p.m.).

Last season, the Dragon girls were second at the KVACs and fourth in the State Class A meet, while the boys finished fourth in the KVAC and tied for third at the state meet.

“Both teams will be competitive in the KVAC, and as usual our goal is to get as many athletes qualified for the state meet,” said DeLois. “Within the league, I expect Edward Little, Mt. Ararat, Lewiston and Brunswick to be in the hunt.”

Though the Dragons lost several quality athletes to graduation, a solid group of track veterans return.

The girls roster consists of returnees Allison Hill (hurdles/ sprints/relays), Anna Cowan (distances/relays), Brooke Escoe (distances/pole vault), Teresa Murphy (distances/ relays), Anna Turner (sprints/jumps/relays), Haley Murano (sprints/relays), Michelle Richards (throws), Julia Rider (sprints) and Areyana Ysland (throws).

Veteran boys are Alex Nichols (sprints/relays), Jack Murphy (distances/relays), Chris Tanner (distances), Jacob Hunter (distances), Walter Martin (sprints), Kyle Milbourne (pole vault), Zach Miller (distances), Burton Rabinowitz (sprints), Jamie Ross (distances), Donny Shea (distances), Mark Stinson (distances), Josh Thibeault (throws) and Nathaniel Vilas (jumps).

The newcomers are Cleo Carrera (distances/sprints), Tessa Cassidy (distances/relays), Lily Hood (hurdles/sprints/pole vault), Emma Nagler (race/walk), Tiffany Tanner (distances/relays), Emily Black (hurdles/sprints), Lena Martin (distances), Jacob Duffy (throws/sprints), Reed Foster (sprints/jumps), Cody Gustwick (sprints), Jason Higginbotham (distances), Kaleija Innis (sprints), Ben Lamphere (throws), Shane Lyons (jumps/sprints), Joe Perkins (throws), Chase Tobey (sprints) and Spencer Wodatch (throws).

Boys lacrosse

The 2012 season ended with a downer as Cheverus stunned unbeaten Brunswick, 9-8, in overtime, in the Eastern A quarterfinals, ending the careers of several solid Dragon athletes.

This year, coach Don Glover has a big task of replacing the back end of his team, with the losses of a starting goaltender (Theron Wilgus) and four key defenders (Charlie Nau, Blake Bodwell, Sam Bessey and Joe Coffey).

“Our focus was to find athletes with lacrosse skills, and we have done well,” said Glover. “I think we’ll do OK, with a group of athletes who are enthusiastic to learn and increase their lacrosse IQ.”

Returning seniors are Zach Hamm (long-stick midfielder), Alex Croatti (MF), Sam Fortier (MF) and Ryan Poag (MF), along with juniors Chris Mrvichin (goalkeeper), Eli Downs (LSM), Elliot Boyd (MF), Bailey Caparrato (attack) and George Rowe (MF). Sophomore returnees are Matt Brooks (A), Ryan Croatti (A) and Cam Glover (MF).

Among the newcomers are senior Konnor Scarponi (defense); juniors Cody Buchheit (D), Reece Reed (D), Ryan Black (MF), Brandon Smith (MF) and Reuel Wilgus (A); sophomores Mitchell Smith (GK), Alex Marc-Aurele (D), Ezra Rogers (D), Tyler Hillis (MF), Eric Kousky (MF), Ian Schlosser (MF) and TJ Sullivan (A), and freshman Cole Hillis (LSM).

“I believe Messalonskee and Mt. Ararat are strong, along with Lewiston and an improving Edward Little team,” said Glover, whose Dragons open Friday at home against Cony (6:30 p.m.).