Messalonskee girls soccer coach Penny Stansfield recalled attending the annual Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A all-stars meeting with the other coaches. At some point, the coaches began their discussion for the league’s player of the year.

“One of the coaches said, ‘I think it should be Cassidy Charette — not because of what happened to her, but on merit,'” Stansfield said. “No sooner had he said that, around the room, every coach said, ‘I agree.'”

Charette, who died Oct. 11 in a Haunted Hayride accident in Mechanic Falls, was indeed selected as KVAC Class A Player of the Year. Stansfield presented the award to Charette’s brother, Colby, at Messalonskee’s sports banquet Thursday night.

Cassidy and Colby’s mother, Monica Wilcox Charette, released a statement following the announcement.

“In the midst of our deepest sorrow from the tragic and sudden loss of our sweet Cassidy, comes this incredible public affirmation and celebration of an amazing athlete, student and human being,” Wilcox Charette said. “For us, and for many who knew Cass, this award recognizes not just her athletic achievements in soccer, but also her high standards in academics, and most importantly, the respect she had for her teammates and coach, and her demonstration of sportsmanship and character on and off the field.

“Cass would be extremely humbled by this award and would want to share it with all of her teammates. Her brother Colby will proudly accept this award on his sister’s behalf. But we share it with all who continue to keep Cassidy’s spirit alive.”

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Charette was a junior at Messalonskee this fall and played center midfielder for the Eagles. It’s a position that requires a player to be strong in all facets of the game.

“She was very fit, very athletic, and she was technically very strong,” Stansfield said. “She had great vision. She saw the play develop and was able to put the ball into the path of players who were making runs. Also, defensively, she wasn’t afraid to be physical.”

Stansfield said Charette was an accurate shooter and could have scored more goals if she decided to focus solely on that.

“She was definitely an unselfish player,” Stansfield said. “I remember the girls saying, ‘Cass, you should shoot more.’ She was more comfortable giving her teammates the glory of the goal and setting up her teammates to score.”

Colby Charette and his parents were all at Thursday’s banquet. Stansfield and Colby hugged after the award presentation.

“He’s an extremely brave young man,” Stansfield said. “It’s an amazing family.”

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Stansfield would like to continue to honor Charette’s memory in the future. She plans to suggest that the school retire Charette’s number.

“We are receiving new varsity jerseys (next season) and I’m pushing for Cassidy’s No. 11 to be on the sleeves,” Stansfield said. “I think that would be a very nice way to honor her memory as well.”

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Matt_DiFilippo


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