Thornton Academy’s Charlotte Belanger is one of many girls’ soccer players from the Class of ’25 who continue their careers with a Div. I program. Belanger will play at the University of Maine. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

When Cheverus girls’ soccer coach Craig Roberts looks around the SMAA, he sees a loaded conference. Roberts can name strong players on all the top teams, and he knows the Class A South playoffs are going to be a grind.

“We all feel like our respective team is in the mix to go all the way. And I’m sure there are others, too. That makes for a bunch of sleepless nights from September through October,” Roberts said.

The SMAA is hardly alone when it comes to elite girls’ soccer players.

At least nine seniors from around Maine have committed to play at a Division I program, and more still could in the coming weeks and months.

Four players are heading to the University of Maine: Windham’s Stella Jarvais, Thornton Academy’s Charlotte Belanger, Britta Denny of Camden Hills, and Teagan Atherley of Bangor, who will play for her father, Scott Atherley.

Windham’s Stella Jarvais is one of four players from Maine in the Class of ’25 who plan to play at the University of Maine. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Finley Brown of Cheverus and Bailey Hatch of Gorham each plan to play at Le Moyne College in New York next season. Portland’s Anneliese Collin is off to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Deering’s Elsa Freeman will attend Boston College. Ashley Connolly of Gorham is committed to South Carolina.

“It’s widespread. There’s a variety of talent in Maine, in all classes,” Collin said. “There’s a lot of good kids going to Division II and III schools, too.”

It’s not unusual for Maine soccer players to compete at the Division I level. Six Mainers play for the Black Bears, who enter this week 10-1-3 and 6-0-1 in America East play. Lincolnville’s Kristina Kelly, a Camden Hills graduate, is third on the team in scoring with three goals and five assists.  There are five Mainers on the Bryant University roster. Scarborough’s Lana Djuranovic, the 2023 Varsity Maine Player of the Year, is in her first season at the University of Miami.

Having so many Division I players come out of one class, though, is unusual. Veteran coaches see it as the result of more athletic kids playing more competitive soccer year round, and receiving better coaching at a younger age.

“Obviously, there’s been a commitment to Premier soccer,” said Jeanne Zarrilli, longtime coach at Gorham High. “Years ago, there was kind of a push for licensing to youth league coaches, and they learned better coaching tactics. … This has got to be the highest number of Division I commits out of Maine that I’ve seen.”

Chris Scott, who has coached with the Seacoast United soccer club based in Epping, New Hampshire since 2011, agreed that players are now exposed to more competitive soccer and challenged at a younger age.

“The Class of ’25 is one of the strongest classes I’ve seen come through,” said Scott. “As girls’ soccer evolved, the athleticism and physical part is a major component. Now, the players are stronger, faster and more powerful.

All 14 of the high school seniors on Seacoast United’s U19 squad, which includes players from Maine and New Hampshire, are set to play collegiate soccer, including 10 at Division I programs. Collin, Freeman, Belanger, Connolly, and Denny are among the Mainers on the team.

“The teams we play against are very competitive,” Freeman said. “It’s helped a lot… The speed of play, that’s the big difference.”

Gorham’s Bailey Hatch jumps up for a header during a game this season. Hatch will play next season at LeMoyne. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Camden Hills girls’ soccer coach Meredith Messer said current players are taking advantage of opportunities previous generations didn’t have.

“You have players going to California and Florida for tournaments and there are more opportunities to train year round,” Messer said. 

Belanger said she’s excited to play against friends like Collin in the future, when they face each other in America East play.

“We’ve been playing with each other a long time (with Seacoast United). Now me and Anna are going to be playing each other,” Belanger said.

While many players do focus solely on soccer year round, Scott said he encourages them to play multiple sports. Collin placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and fourth in the pole vault at the Class A track and field state meet last spring, and is also an accomplished Ultimate player, playing for Team USA at the World Ultimate Junior Championships this past summer. Freeman competes in indoor track and plays lacrosse at Deering. Jarvais is among the top softball players in the state.

“Those decisions have to happen organically,” Scott said. “We’re never going to force an athlete to pick. As soon as you start forcing the issue, you create resentment. Being a multisport athlete helps. They’re well-round athletes.”

Scott said college coaches notice the commitment made that comes just from playing with a club, not necessarily playing just soccer.

“College coaches, they see that drive and determination. If they’re willing to come to New Hampshire five or six times a week, they really want it,” Scott said.