Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future.
We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone—because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s Go! Learn more at mainestatecu.org. 

Perhaps it’s with a scoring touch, like Mia Mariello. Or an all-phases game, like Grace Mayo. Or Sarah Middleton’s 1-on-1 defensive ability.

In the postseason, there are plenty of ways to make the kind of impact that can steer a game from a defeat to a victory, or make a favorite even harder to take down. Some show up on the scoresheet. Others can go overlooked and unnoticed until they factor into the final score.

These 10 players could make that kind of difference for teams looking for lengthy runs:

Lizalyn Boudreau, Freeport senior midfielder: Boudreau has battled an injury late in the season but if she can return to full health, the Falcons (No. 2, B South) get a player who does something to help in every aspect of the game. She’s particularly effective on defense, where she matches up against the top attackers, has great instincts as the flyer on corners, and has the speed to cover all areas of the field.

Annabelle Collier, Gorham senior midfielder/forward: After a 1-4 start, the Rams (No. 5, A South) are heating up with wins in six of their last nine games, and have a top-tier talent as they try to translate their run to the playoffs. Collier, a Sacred Heart University commit, scored 11 goals with 11 assists during the regular season, has the skills to get past tough defenders, and the shooting skill to turn it into goals.

Lily Huntley, Mt. Blue senior midfielder: Coach Julie Lajoie uses multiple systems, and Huntley is the Swiss Army knife that can make them all work. She’s got the attacking skills of a forward but has played defensive center midfield for the Cougars (No. 3, A North), and reshaped how they bring the ball up the field. She’s improved as the year has gone on and can fill whatever role Lajoie needs.

Mia Mariello, Biddeford sophomore midfielder: If No. 2 Biddeford makes it through No. 1 Cheverus and the rest of A South, it likely will be because Mariello, the Tigers’ immensely talented midfielder, comes through with a high-scoring postseason. She combines speed with a wide array of stick skills, and has a shot that can find the net from anywhere in the circle. She has facilitated more this year, and totaled 12 goals and 16 assists during the season.

Grace Mayo, Skowhegan senior midfielder: The Bates-bound Mayo brings track speed to the field for the River Hawks (No. 1, A North). She totaled 11 goals and 13 assists in the regular season. Beyond that, though, there’s the mental component; she’s a smart player who can read the field on offense and defense, and was called “the quarterback” by coach Paula Doughty. “She’s sort of the rock of the whole outfit,” Doughty said.

Sarah Middleton, Mt. Ararat junior back: In the playoffs, the goals a team prevents can be as important as the ones it scores, and Mt. Ararat (No. 2, A North) has a stopper in Middleton. She has good speed and uses it effectively to seal off opposing forwards’ angles to the goal. Her footwork and patience with her stick allows her to defend well without fouling. As coach Krista Chase said, “she locks down the backfield.”

Maya Nasveschuk, Yarmouth sophomore forward: Nasveschuk is also a skilled ice hockey player, and it shows on turf when she races into the opponent’s zone with the ball on her stick, weaving effortlessly through defenders in front of her. She’s the best for Yarmouth (No. 1, B South) at making a scoring chance out of nothing, and it happens quickly. And the bigger the game, the more likely Nasveschuk is to strike.

Jaylee Radford, Cheverus sophomore forward: Joey Pompeo might be the best all-around player in the state, and Sydney Brunelle is the top scoring threat. But for the Stags (No. 1, A South), it’s Radford who can be an X-factor. She’s willing to get herself down by the post to hunt for scoring chances, and is among the state’s best at knocking in deflections and rebounds. When she gets involved in the scoring, Cheverus rolls.

Maeve Rush, Nokomis freshman forward: A big reason for the Warriors’ rise, and why Nokomis (No. 3, B North) is a threat in the region, has been the arrival of Rush, who netted 17 goals this season. She has a hard, accurate shot on forehands, a dangerous reverse, and she has the speed to race by defenders or swoop in and intercept passes. If she can translate her big season to the playoffs, Nokomis will be a tough out.

Moriah Smith, Boothbay sophomore midfielder: The Seahawks (No. 1, C South) were an eighth seed last year, and Smith, an attacking center mid, will be counted to provide scoring punch and some leadership for a team unfamiliar with the pressure that mounts late in the tournament. Coach Jax van der Veen said before the season that Smith’s leadership, as well as her raw talent, stand out for a sophomore.