RICHMOND

Last season saw a state title, a close call in Regionals and several solid performances in high school boys soccer among area teams.

Richmond and Brunswick look to be solid again, while Jack Rioux hopes to point Mt. Ararat in a positive direction in his first year at the helm.

Here is a look at the seven area teams as the opening of the 2015 season nears:

Richmond

Coach — Peter Gardner.

Last season — In Gardner’s first season coaching his hometown Bobcats, he led Richmond to an undefeated season and a State Class D title. After downing Greenville (3-1), Greater Portland Christian (8-2) and Buckfield (1-0) in the Western D playoffs, rolled to a 3-0 win over fivetime champ Bangor Christian.

Region this season — Class D South.

Players lost —Bailey Johansen, Cameron Emmons, Marcus Blake. Returning — Seniors Logan Anair (midfield), Curtis Anderson (MF), Tyler Soucy (defense) Nate Vintinner (MF/forward); juniors Cody Tribbet (MF), Brendan Emmons (MF), Matt Holt (F/goalkeeper), Brady Johnson (MF), Zack Marseglia (D); sophomores Nate Kendrick (D), Ethan Gardner (MF), Matt Rines (D/F), Zach Small (GK), Dustan Simmons (D/MF), Isaac Cappen (GK/MF).

Key newcomers — Sophomore Andrew Goodall (D); freshmen Nick Adams (F), Mitch Coutier (D), Danny Stewart (D), Ford Strout (MF).

From the coach — “The team has worked extremely hard, and is continually learning new things. We’ve really only scrimmaged but so far, so good.

“We’re very pleased with how they’ve done so far, they want to win. We’re looking forward to having success this year.

“We don’t rely on what we’ve done in the past. It’s hard to duplicate, no matter how good your teams are.”

Team overview — Coming off an undefeated title year, the Bobcats look to remain on top. With losing just four total players (three to graduation, one transferred), look for Richmond to be a contender again come playoff time.

Season opener — Saturday at home against Rangeley, noon.

Key contests — Sept. 23 at home against Pine Tree Academy; Sept. 25 at Searsport; Oct. 13 home against North Yarmouth Academy.

Brunswick

Coach — Mark Roma.

Last season — After dropping their first two games, the Dragons went on a run, going unbeaten in their final 12 regular season games (10-0- 2) and claiming the No. 2 seed. After downing Messsalonskee (3-0) and Hampden Academy (4-1), dropped a tough 2-1 match in the Eastern A Regional final.

Region this season — Class A North.

Players lost — Cameron Glover, Jesse Arford, Eric Kousky, Evan Murray.

Returning — Seniors Keenen Welzel (Capt., forward, leading scorer with 15 goals and seven assists last season), JD Souza (Capt., MF, 15 assists and seven goals last season); juniors Josh Dorr (goalkeeper), Christian Glover (Capt., MF).

Key newcomers — Sophomore Henry Doherty (D).

From the coach — “We’re getting there, we lost half of our starters from last year so we are still moving people around, trying to find that perfect fit.

“Everybody is working hard, we have good leadership with our returning captain, Keenen Welzel, and our two new ones, Christian Glover and JD Souza.

“Even with the turnover the players have set the bar high and expect to compete for the KVAC title this year. They know it will be difficult but they are a determined group.

“I have been stressing that it’s not how you start the season but how you finish. We just have to get better every time we step on the pitch. Our mantra this year is to compete, not just go out and play but compete in everything we do, every drill, every run. We have to be playing our best soccer come tournament time and hopefully we can make a solid run. “They are a great group of kids and if they keep working the way they have been they should make some noise come playoff time.”

Team overview — The Dragons are coming off a strong season but have graduated several of their starters from last year. Despite the loss, the Dragons still have their leading scorer and other leaders on the pitch and seem prepared to make another solid playoff run.

Season opener — Saturday at home versus Mt. Blue, 11 a.m.

Key contests — Sept. 15 home against Mt. Ararat; Sept. 22 home vs. Hampden Academy; Oct. 13 at Mt. Ararat.

Mt. Ararat

Coach — Jack Rioux, first season,

replaces Rick Renaud, who led the Eagles for 30 seasons.

Last season — After a solid 8-2-2 start, dropped two tough contests to close the regular season to finish as the No. 5 seed. Lost to No. 4 Bangor, 1-0, in the Eastern A quarterfinals. Region this season — Class A North.

Players lost — Jon Roux, Chris Pepin, Dan Pelletier, Alex Halladay, Ben Bishop, Devon Drew, Mike Crawford, Avery Desjardins, Mason Griffin, Andrew McCracken, Robbie Small, Trevor Mayo, Liam Brannigan.

Returning — Seniors Alex Miranda, Eli Timberlake, Evan Thibeault; juniors James Hutchinson, Jimmy Pelletier, Kyle Brown, Cole Guerin; sophomore Gavin Patterson.

Key newcomers — Juniors Orion Sargent, Jacob Sturgess, Gage Palmer, Hank Gilson, Elliot Bowie; sophomores Nick Merrill, Ryan Glass, Devin Haskins, Dalton Streeter, Cole Kelly, Jason Halliday, Owen Kelly; freshmen Travis Nadeau, Max Spelke, Hayden Libby, Kody Noyes, Alex Bryant.

From the coach — “I’m looking forward to getting this season under way. With so many players seeing varsity minutes for the first time, I do think we may have some growing pains early on, but once we get past that, I think we have the potential to be a tough, competitive team.”

Team overview — The Eagles graduated 14 players from last year, eight of them starters. If the varsity young Eagles can find a way to gel early under the new voice of Rioux, look for the Eagles to push some teams this year.

Season opener — Friday at Edward Little, 3:30 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 15 at Brunswick; Oct. 2 home against Messalonskee; Oct. 13 home vs. Brunswick.

Morse

Coach — Chuck Reese.

Last season — Went 2-11-1 in Reese’s first season leading the Shipbuilders and missed out on the postseason.

Region this season — Class B South.

Players lost — Garrett Robson, Paden Stanton, Alec Beveridge, Tristan Kiefer, Wesley McKenna, Kevin Thibodeau, Jake Haddock, Austin Cowbell, Aidan McGowan, Trevor Drouin, Keegan Landry, Ryan Munsey, Kaleb Goodison, Chase Terry, Sam Coffey, Max Lareau.

Returning — Seniors Tyler Young (defense), Casey Bennoch (midfield), Jake Reno (MF), Oskar Matero; juniors Lucas Brown (MF), Tucker Banger (forward), Declan Hall (D), Cameron Marco, Alex Fernald (goalkeeper), Dakota Freeman (D).

Key newcomers — Juniors Zidane McMurrin, Collin McCarthy, Ethan Brown; sophomores Jack Harrington, Connor Leonard, Kehl Chadwick, Sebastian Krull; freshman Christian Keenan.

From the coach — “My expectations, in my second year after taking over, is to move on from teaching some of the more basic concepts and have the boys start to become creative offensively. They have the tools, they have structure, now we will see where they want to go with it. It is a talented group of guys who I think could be strongly underestimated by the season end.

“Coach Shawn Elwell will be taking over the junior varsity/assistant coach position at Morse. He has a strong back ground in building fundamentals with athletes in multiple sports. His knowledge in personal training and passion to make the kids better has already shown gains in the program. It’s great to see him in this environment as he loves what he does.

“Connor Bennoch and Braden Olsen are sophomore players on the fringe who could easily be moved up as the season progresses. Jacob Brochu, a freshman, is also on the fringe of possibly getting varsity time this season.” Team overview — The Shipbuilders are trying to right the ship after an off season. They’ve had a year now with Reese, so expect them to surprise some teams this year. Season opener — Sept. 8 at home against Lincoln Academy, 7 p.m. Key contests — Sept. 17 at home vs. Belfast; Oct. 3 at Maranacook; Oct. 13 at home against Medomak Valley.

Freeport

Coach — Joe Heathco.

Last season — A slow start (0-6-1) followed by a hot run (4-2) failed to lift the Falcons into the postseason after a 4-9-1 mark. Region this season — Class B South.

Players lost — Caleb Abbott, Shawn Anthony, Blake Enrico, Parker Masison, Brendan Qualls, Nick Wilson, Callum Gould, Asher Strickland.

Returning — Nate Smail, Jack Davenport, Caleb Rice, Josiah Otis.

Key newcomers — Chandler Wyman, Evan McKittrick.

From the coach — “The team looks good to start the season, we had good results in a round robin the first Saturday of the preseason, we also found several areas of weakness we are working on.

“The group is very positive and hard working and looking forward to turning that into good results this season on the pitch. We certainly expect to be a team that contends come playoff time. A key for us will be team unity and commitment. We definitely want to be playing our best soccer in October.

“We have a lot of depth and a terrific group of young players who are pushing each other to be their best. We will look to bring players up and play well throughout the program this season.”

Team overview — The Falcons are looking to get off to a better start this season and make a playoff push. They’re coming off a strong finish last fall and look to keep that momentum going this year. Season opener — Saturday at Cape Elizabeth, 5 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 10 home opener vs. Gray-New Gloucester; Oct. 2 at North Yarmouth Academy; Oct. 15 home against Poland.

Lisbon

Coach — Dan Sylvester.

Last season — After a 7-6-1 regular season, lost 2-0 to Monmouth in a Western C preliminary. Region this season — Class C South.

Players lost — Johnny Yim. Returning — Seniors Austin Fournier (forward), Austin Bedford (midfield), Nick Huston (defense/MF), Troy Galarneau (MF); juniors Nick Lerette (D), Josh Huston (MF), Chris Normand (MF), Ryley Austin (D), Bradley Boulet (MF/F), Jacob Fusaro (D), Bryant Hall (D); sophomore Jonah Sautter (goalkeeper).

Key newcomers — Noah Austin, Dylan George, Kanye Wentzheimer, Elijah Spiro.

From the coach — “We lost one senior, so this group coming back has experience. When we have everyone healthy we will be strong up the middle.

“The seniors are hungry. With that they need to lead every time they step on the field. There’s a lot of potential with this group. We are looking forward for the regular season to start.”

Team overview — The Greyhounds saw some action in the Western C preliminary’s last season and are looking to go even further this year. With just one senior departing, the team has experience and will lean on that when trying to make a run.

Season opener — Saturday at home against Oak Hill, 10 a.m.

Key contests — Sept. 14 home vs. Dirigo; Sept. 18 at Wiscasset; Oct. 16 at home against St. Dom’s.

Wiscasset

Coach — Chris Cossette.

Last season — Struggled to a 1-10 start in Cossette’s first season before rallying to win two of its final three games for a 3-11 season. Region this season — Class C South.

Players lost — Andrew Corson. Returning — Seniors Alex Webber (defense/midfield), Brycson Grover (D/MF), Sam Storer (D), Chase Reed (F); juniors Aidan Carlson (MF), Brandon Goud (MF), Ethan James (MF), Russell Marr (MF), Nate Woodman (MF), Alex Strozier (MF/D), Andrew Chubbuck (MF/D), Joshua Kramley (MF/D), Conlon Ranta (goalkeeper), Kevin Lynch (D/MF); sophomores Sam Strozier (GK), Trinin Jeffrey (D/MF), Matt Martin (MF), Max Sampson (F/MF), Ryan Madina (D).

Key newcomers — Freshmen Josh Gabriele (F/D), Caleb Gabriele (GK/MF), Matt Smith (D/MF), Matt Chapman (D/MF), CJ Loyola (F).

From the coach — “We are looking to build upon last year. We came a long way through the season last year and made tremendous improvements across the board. We are looking to play as a unit and control the game with our style of play.”

Team overview — The Wolverines finished strong last year and are looking to keep it going this fall. The team has some players with experience and will be trying to control the tempo of the game by using possession this season.

Season opener — Sept. 9 at Carrabec, 5 p.m.

Key contests — Sept. 18 at home vs. Lisbon; Oct. 2 at Oak Hill; Oct. 9 at home against Telstar.