Not much has changed since Van Buren and Richmond played for the Class D girls state soccer championship a year ago.

Both teams are back in the big game today at Falmouth High School with nearly the same players on their rosters. That includes a pair of prolific scorers in Richmond senior Danica Hurley and Van Buren sophomore Parise Rossignol.

Hurley, who scored the game-winner in last year’s 1-0 win for the Bobcats, has 35 goals while Rossignol has scored 33.

Since the game is scheduled for 10 a.m., there was no way the Crusaders could make the 315-mile trip from Van Buren to Falmouth this morning. Instead, they left Friday and stayed over in Augusta.

“We have to travel six hours,” Van Buren coach Jay Edgecomb said. “Richmond has to travel about 30 minutes.”

Nonetheless, Edgecomb said his team is ready to play. The Crusaders got off to a slow start this season, which included a 7-1 loss to Washburn.

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“That was an anomaly,” Edgecomb said. “It was our worst game in three years; it snowballed out of control.”

Edgecomb had a talk with his players after that game, and they responded.

“That was probably the turning point,” he said.

The team finished at 9-5-0 in the regular season but got hot in the playoffs, knocking off top-seeded Washburn 2-1 and No. 2 Penobscot Valley 2-0.

Both teams return experienced senior goalkeepers, Ashley Wilson for Van Buren and Lindsy Hoopingarner for Richmond. The Bobcats (14-1-0) have scored more goals — Sadie Gosse, Amber Loon and Noell Acord have 10 or more — but also played an easier schedule.

Among key returning players for the Crusaders are sweeper Brittany Duprey, who has rounded into shape after an early-season injury, and stopper Natasha Bourgoin, who marked Hurley all over the field in last year’s game.

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“I’m pretty sure she’ll be marking her again,” Edgecomb said.

Richmond junior Bri Snedeker drew the primary job of marking Rossignol last year.

“I hope we’re a year older and a year wiser,” Richmond coach Troy Kendrick said. “I think we’re deeper. That’s one thing that’s worked for us, we can keep people fresh.”

Richmond’s title last year was its seventh overall while Van Buren has won three, the last in 1999.

“It’s still just as exciting for me, especially since I’m a senior,” Hurley said. “I’m more pumped this year than I was last year.”

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com


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