Sadie Gosse knew Richmond kids could play soccer when she transferred from Morse High School last fall.
She had played on a premier team with three of her future teammates and was impressed with their skill. But it wasn’t until she played for the Bobcats that Gosse appreciated how much the sport means to the town and its fans.
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“The whole fire truck thing was a lot different than most places,” Gosse said.
The fire truck thing occurs when the Bobcats win championships, and they win quite a few. Gosse was part of last fall’s Class D state title team and got the fire truck treatment, lights, sirens and all, as the team paraded through town.
“I really enjoy playing for Richmond,” she said. “Everyone is so close to each other. Everyone takes more pride in what they do.”
Gosse and her teammates will be playing for a second straight state championship Saturday when they meet Van Buren in a rematch of last year’s game. The junior midfielder will be a key part of the game plan for Richmond coach Troy Kendrick.
“She’s a great playmaker for us,” Kendrick said. “She’s got a ton of assists. She’s pretty unselfish with setting people up.”
Gosse had a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s regional final win against Greenville, bringing her season totals to 12 goals and 21assists. Many of her assists have gone to senior Danica Hurley, who has 35 goals this season. The two played together on a premier team and have developed a good rapport on the field.
“We definitely work well together,” Hurley said. “That was partially why I was excited for her to come here.”
Kendrick sometimes moves Gosse back to sweeper depending on the game situation. She played defense at Morse, where she earned her varsity letter as a freshman.
“Troy puts me back there to give me a rest,” she said. “I feel very comfortable when I’m back there.”
Gosse takes most of the long free kicks for the Bobcats, including corner kicks. In Wednesday’s game, she demonstrated a deft touch in both areas, first putting a corner kick virtually on the foot of freshman Amber Loon, who volleyed the ball into the net. Later in the game, Gosse scored on a long direct kick when the ball found its way through a crowd in front of the goal.
“I work a lot on free kicks and corner kicks,” she said. “How far and how hard I need to kick the ball.”
Gosse covers a lot of ground whether playing midfield or sweeper.
“She’s deceptively fast,” Kendrick said. “She’s a quick kid and a strong kid.”
Gosse ran track at Morse, where she qualified for the state meet as a freshman in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes. Richmond doesn’t have a track team, but athletes who wish to compete can hook on at Hall-Dale and Gosse is considering it. In the winter, she skis.
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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