The 2019 George Stevens Academy girls soccer team. Courtesy of Larry Gray
The 2019 George Stevens Academy girls soccer team includes, in front from left, Hannah Bray, Andrea Brooks, Kelsey Carter, Lannea Zentz, Silas Murnik, Clementine Bannon, Nora Spratt and Grace Whiting. In back are Margaret Nevin, Eleanor McMillan, Dell Davis-Batt, Jenna Blodgett, Luna Perry-St.Peter, Chloe Politte, Layla Pickering, Ellis Murnik and Vanessa Sherwood. Courtesy of Larry Gray
Blue Hill—With a new school year comes a new soccer season, and the girls soccer team at George Stevens Academy is ready to take the field as a contender in Class C North.
The team will look a little different this year, having graduated several starters. The coaching staff has also changed, as Mike Kazmierczak and Julia Baird have teamed up as co-coaches, replacing longtime coach Steve Bemiss, who stepped down after last season.
The Eagles kick off the 2019 season with an away game against Searsport on September 6, before returning to Blue Hill for the home opener against Ellsworth on September 9.
Kazmierczak said there has been an intense focus on skill development during the early practices this season, and while a competitive drive is important, more so is the ability to be the most skilled team on the field during every contest.
“I think this is possible because the level of instruction Coach Baird and I bring is pretty high and pretty focused, and we can model everything we ask the players to do. If wins come from all of this, great,” he said.
Kazmierczak said that his squad has been “highly coachable,” and that it did not take long before everyone on the team was on the same page in terms of game plan and the system they will work in throughout the season.
“Buy-in was pretty immediate, to their credit,” he said.
As a teacher at George Stevens Academy, Kazmierczak had the benefit of knowing most of his players prior to taking the field with them for the first time. Because of that, he said, building the rapport that is crucial to a coach/player relationship came naturally.
“I’ve talked a lot of soccer in the classroom and in the hallways with them,” he said. “I just try to be myself, give them all the respect and encouragement they deserve, and let them be themselves.”
As the team embarks on the new season, both coaches are excited to be at the head of a program that has found some playoff success in recent years.
“Coach Baird and I feel very lucky to be coaching this team,” said Kazmierczak.
Kickoff for the home game against Ellsworth is scheduled for 4 p.m.