LISBON — Shawn Rhoda has seen some things on the soccer pitch.
During his 16 years as the head coach of the Freeport High School jayvee boys’ squad, the Freeport graduate decided the time was right to step up one more level.
Lisbon co-curricular director Eric Hall announced Rhoda as the new boys soccer coach of the Greyhounds, replacing Dan Sylvester, who led the squad to seven straight playoff appearances prior to last year while compiling a regular season/playoff combined record of 85-59-12 from 2008-2018.
Sylvester and his Greyhounds advanced to the Class C regional final in 2016 (a 1-0 loss to Monmouth Academy), and he coached the squad to a team record 13-win season in his first year before Lisbon was defeated by Freeport in the Class B West quarterfinals, 2-1, in double overtime. “Dan built the program and sustained a level of success, sportsmanship and a program that thrived,” said Hall of Sylvester’s tenure at Lisbon. “His foundation was on a defense that controlled the game from the start, and I am grateful for the years that Dan was coaching boys soccer at Lisbon.
“I loved coaching at Lisbon, and I have nothing but respect for the community,” said Sylvester, who is the new lead custodian at Brunswick High School. “I felt that we put Lisbon boys soccer on the map. But for me, my kids are getting older and I will be able to work one job and spend more time with my family.”
Rhoda remembers being on the sidelines in years past when Freeport took on Lisbon in the playoffs.
“It was always a hard game with Lisbon,” said Rhoda, who lives in Durham with his wife, Gina, and their 6-year-old son Tripp.
Now, Rhoda will be patrolling the sidelines, taking over a Greyhounds team that finished 5-8-1 last year and just missed out on the postseason, with a preseason injury to top scorer and senior Noah Austin derailing the season before it began in Sylvester’s last year at the helm, which included starting seven freshmen.
During Sylvester’s tenure, the Greyhounds were known for tenacious defense and quick strike, countering offense. Lisbon was typically strong from the goaltender out, with standouts like Jonah Sautter (goaltender), Morgan Reeves, Justin Grant, Ryan Fairbanks, Marcus Bubar, Cam Bubar and Ryley Austin, among several others, leading the way.
Rhoda feels he will bring a different mentality to the Greyhounds.
“I am a high-pressure coach,” said Rhoda. “My teams will be high energy. I use a number system instead of positions, which will take some time to learn. I will try to bring new energy and will look for us to be competitive.”
“Shawn has a vast knowledge of soccer, a great deal of experience as well as a passion for soccer,” said Hall. “I felt that he could take what Dan has built and continue to build upon it while putting his stamp on the program.
“Shawn is a coach that I can see building a successful program and reaching down to the rec. league. I felt that was important as we continue to grow soccer.
Freeport success
Along with leading the Freeport jayvee team, Rhoda assisted previous Freeport varsity coach Joe Heathco and last year’s first year head coach Bob Strong. The 2018 season was one to remember for the Falcons, who advanced to the State Class B title game (3-2 overtime loss to Presque Isle at windy Hampden Academy).
“It was special. We had a group of guys, and team was close, where everything fell in line,” said Rhoda. “The end didn’t go the way we wanted, leading 2-0, then thinking we had won in overtime when the ball hit the football goal post instead of the back of the goal. It was tough, but it was a great season.”
His time in Freeport, which included coaching freshman soccer in the early 2000s, was memorable.
“I am a Freeport graduate, my wife and I grew up there, and I was comfortable in helping the program grow,” Rhoda said.
Coming into the Lisbon job late — just six days prior to the start of fall practices on Monday — is concerning, but one the new coach feels he will overcome.
“I have been networking, I have talked to the girls coach (Jenniffer Perron) to see what the team is all about, so I know what I am getting into,” said Rhoda. “The excitement is definitely there, and I hope to benefit the program.
“The first few days will be a challenge, but for me, this is not a one season thing. This is long term.”
“Our numbers will be solid I foresee on Monday,” added Hall of the start of the fall season for boys and girls soccer, field hockey, football and cross country at Lisbon. “Like anything, there is the transition period for student-athletes getting back into the swing of practice and school. We have been successful with our fall programs across the board, so we know that our fields will be busy this fall.”
Rhoda has long-term goals for his Greyhounds.
“I want to develop a summer program, something Lisbon doesn’t have at this point. You face good competition during the summer, and I believe it is a huge part of development,” Rhoda said. Coming from a school where 60 kids came out for boys soccer, part of the challenge will be to carry this program from the fall to the summer, working on skills and getting better.”
Lisbon is slated to visit Spruce Mountain in its Mountain Valley Conference opener on Sept. 6.
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