MYLES CULLEY, Senior – Soccer
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• All-American
* All-New England
* All-State
* Maine boys’ Player of the Year
* Class C Player of the Year
* Class C South All-Region
• WMC Class C Player of the Year
* WMC all-star, first-team
* WMC All-Academic
* Western Maine Board of Officials Sportsmanship Award
Culley enjoyed arguably the finest individual season in state annals and undisputedly, his impact in his lone campaign in a Flyers uniform will never be forgotten.
Culley, a Falmouth resident, took a long and winding road to stardom with Waynflete.
He started playing soccer in the Falmouth youth program and quickly emerged as a talent. Culley played in Seacoast United’s Development Academy program, based in Epping, New Hampshire, for three years before high school. As a freshman, Culley joined the academy program run by the Philadelphia Union, a Major League Soccer franchise, but he then suffered a double avulsion fracture of his left hamstring, as the muscle tendon tore completely away from the bone and fragments of bone also fractured from his pelvis. Surgery followed.
“A pretty significant surgery and that set me back another year,” Culley said. “There were days when I felt like I just wasn’t making any progress. I’d been out so long. There were days when I worried, especially because I love the sport so much. It’s always been my identity. I’m Myles the soccer player.”
Culley enrolled at Waynflete as a junior before the 2021-22 academic year, still unable to run, let alone play in a game and it wasn’t until this past summer that Culley felt ready to get back on the field in a game setting.
“It was a really tough injury, but last spring I could tell I was on an upward trend,” Culley said. “This summer, I worked on fitness and got stronger. There was a lot of hunger built up.”
Once he put on a Flyers uniform, Culley became the focal point of the offense for the three-time reigning Class C champions and the goals came in abundance. Culley wound up tying a state record with 52 goals (while adding 15 assists), tying the mark set by set by Damon Warren of Sumner in 2018.
Highlights were plentiful.
Culley debuted with four goals in a win over eventual Class D champion North Yarmouth Academy and he was just getting started. Culley scored three goals in a win over St. Dom’s, four more in a victory over Sacopee Valley, four more in a win over Richmond, three goals in a victory over Traip Academy, two in a second win over NYA, two apiece in victories over Class B South contenders Greely and Freeport, three in a second win over St. Dom’s, three more in a second victory over Traip Academy, where he set a new program single-season scoring record, three goals in a second win over Sacopee Valley and one against eventual Class B champion Yarmouth in the regular season finale, a long-range shot for the ages while tightly marked to win it in overtime.
“That goal was the favorite moment of my career,” Culley said.
Culley scored 35 goals in the regular season, then added 17 more in the playoffs as Waynflete rolled to four more victories and another crown. In a 9-0 quarterfinal round win over Oak Hill, Culley scored five goals. He added four more against Traip Academy in the semifinals, then scored all three goals in a victory over Mt. Abram in the regional final before bowing out with a tour de force five goals in a state game win over Fort Kent.
“The season couldn’t have gone better,” said Culley. “Representing Waynflete was great. I thought I’d score a lot of goals, but I never expected 52. Before every game, I took a step back and felt lucky. I didn’t take anything for granted.”
He’ll next take his talents to Colby College in Waterville. Myles Culley, Waynflete’s Fall Athlete of the Year, was one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen. He had a season to cherish and if you were able to see him in action, consider yourself lucky.
Coach Brandon Salway’s comment: “Myles had a phenomenal season. He was literally unstoppable. He displayed such great technical ability, it seemed the ball was attached to his feet. He could get through several defenders and create space for his shot or deliver a quality ball for a teammate. He has great vision and a great soccer IQ. He’s a pretty complete player. He makes the rest of the guys better. He’s a special player and a great young man. When you consider what he’s been through physically, it’s an incredible achievement.”
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Prior winners:
• 2021 George Fahey (golf)
* 2020 Joey Ansel-Mullen (soccer)
• 2019 Joey Ansel-Mullen (soccer)
• 2018 Luca Antolini (soccer)
• 2017 Henry Spritz (cross country)
• 2016 Ilyas Abdi (soccer)
• 2015 Milo Belleau (soccer)
• 2014 Harry Baker-Connick (soccer)
• 2013 Henry Cleaves (soccer)
• 2012 Peabo Knoth (soccer)
• 2011 Daniel Weiner (soccer)
• 2010 Tucker Geoffroy (soccer)
• 2009 Chris Gillespie (soccer)
• 2008 Josh Bloom (soccer)
• 2007 Tristan Corriveau (soccer)
• 2006 Tristan Corriveau (soccer)
• 2005 Dan Black (soccer)
• 2004 Matt Lacasse (soccer)
LUCY HART, Junior – Soccer
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• Class C South All-Region
* WMC all-star, first-team
Hart is an impact player in three different sports, but soccer is her love and that passion showed on the pitch this fall as Hart put the ball in the net with regularity and led the Flyers to their best season in years.
Hart fell in love with soccer at an early age.
“I played since I could walk,” said Hart. “I always looked up (my brother) Henry (Hart, a former Waynflete standout). I play three sports, but soccer is definitely my favorite. I love moving the ball. I love playing in the midfield. I love the team aspect of soccer.”
Hart’s freshman season was limited by COVID, but she emerged as a star as a sophomore before dominating this fall, scoring 22 goals and adding five assists.
Highlights included three goals in a season-opening win over St. Dom’s, three more in a victory over Richmond, two apiece in a second win over St. Dom’s and a victory over Fryeburg Academy, two more goals in a second win over Sacopee Valley and two goals in a regular season-ending victory over Old Orchard Beach.
Hart then scored three goals in a quarterfinal round win over Monmouth before scoring her final goal on a penalty kick in a semifinal round victory over Traip Academy. The Flyers were eliminated by Maranacook in the regional final.
“The season was very successful,” Hart said. “We did everything but make it to states.”
Hart, who also plays basketball and tennis, coaches 6th grade basketball and wants nothing more than to win a state title in her senior soccer season before entertaining the possibility of playing at the next level.
And those are realistic goals. Lucy Hart, Waynflete’s Fall Athlete of the Year, keeps getting better and better and her team has followed suit.
Co-coach Carrie Earls’ comment: “I’ve known Lucy since she was 7 and I was her (youth) coach. In my opinion, she’s always the best player on the field and my kid’s on the team, so that says a lot. Lucy does so much that doesn’t show up on stat sheet. She’s an extremely selfless player and plays both sides of the ball. She elevates our team in so many ways and it all starts with her work rate. She makes everyone around her better. Her ability to score, pass and defend makes her one of the most dynamic players in Class C. Her grit and tenacity are apparent to anyone who watches her play. She always stands out. She’s an incredible kid to coach and I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in her senior season and beyond.”
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Prior winners:
• 2021 Elli Howerton-Lynch (field hockey)
* 2020 Semma Twining (cross country)
• 2019 Kilee Sherry (soccer)
• 2018 Anna Wildes (cross country)
• 2017 Ava Farrar (soccer)
• 2016 Isabel Canning (soccer)
• 2015 Arianna Giguere (soccer)
• 2014 Julianna Harwood (soccer)
• 2013 Leigh Fernandez (soccer)
• 2012 Jo Moore (field hockey)
• 2011 Becky Smith (soccer)
• 2010 Lindsey Sinicki (field hockey)
• 2009 Amy Allen (cross country)
• 2008 Adele Espy (cross country)
• 2007 Adele Espy (cross country)
• 2006 Alex Woodhouse (soccer)
• 2005 Tess Crain (cross country)
• 2004 Anina Hewey (soccer)
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.
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