By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

The Pembroke Academy girls soccer team chose to do things in a unique way to start the 2005 season.

Pembroke Academy's senior goalie, Kathleen Moran, ranges to her left for a timely penalty-kick save during a PA varsity-junior varsity scrimmage at Richards Farm on Friday, Aug. 26. Moran will anchor the Spartans. defense, dubbed the "Great Green Wall" last season after holding opponents scoreless for an astounding 580 consecutive minutes. The Spartans also posted 10 shutouts during the '04 Class I campaign - a recipe for success they hope to replicate this fall. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

Like many teams in Class I, PA expects to improve throughout the '05 campaign and advance deep into the postseason tournament. But what's set the Spartans apart has been the way they've built team unity and their decision regarding team captains.

The team took a rafting trip along the Merrimack River to build chemistry. However, the players didn't choose captains to lead them into the season.

"I've never done that before. But, then again, I've never had this good of a group of seniors," said Roy Annis, who's spent 34 years coaching boys and girls soccer at PA. "We didn't want to slight anyone. There were just so many deserving people that every time (the coaching staff) came to a decision, we said 'What about (this person)?'"

In each game, a different trio of seniors will serve as captains, Annis said.

Having nine seniors on the roster means PA won't lack in the leadership department. The enormous number of veterans also means there are plenty of Spartans set on avenging last year's losses to Souhegan of Amherst and Hanover.

Against Souhegan, the Spartans faced an offense that, similar to theirs, sent short passes through the middle of the field and sent the ball out wide, senior Katie Welcome said. The only time the Spartans. defense saw an offense like the Sabres was in its own practices.

As a result, PA wasn't familiar with how to defend Souhegan.

In the Class I playoffs against Hanover, a Spartans. player was whistled for a charge; the referee said she collided with Hanover's goalie.

The ruling resulted in a Hanover penalty kick, which ended the Spartans. season.

Outcome aside, the Spartans. were extremely strong on defense in '04 and billed themselves the "Great Green Wall."

PA held opponents scoreless for 580 consecutive minutes at one point last season and had 10 shutouts en route to an 11-2-3 record.

This year, Annis and his athletes expect that dominance to continue on defense.

The Spartans. veteran defenders are familiar with the system and understand how to communicate well with each other.

Along with depending on its experienced defensive players, PA plans to introduce a younger player into the mix.

Freshman Kristin Jordan has done very well at sweeper, according to Annis.

On offense, experience will also come in handy because all the players know their roles in the system, Annis said.

Depth on PA's bench will also be an asset. Between his talented starters and substitutes, Annis won't have to ask anyone to compete for an entire match.

The Spartans are a cohesive unit that should receive contributions from everyone, regardless of grade.

That chemistry was created during off-the-field activities following grueling double-session practices.

And it was during a rafting trip that the players truly embraced each together.

"It was a bonding experience," said senior Ali Doheny. "It makes the new players more comfortable, too, because they get to know us outside of soccer."

The PA roster includes Pembroke's Alexa Robichaud, Heather Farley, Coley Edes, Erin Keeler, Jordan, Doheny, Carolyn Bertolami, Julie Gwinn, Allison Miner, Sam Beauchesne, Kathleen Moran and Emily Parker; Epsom's Jordan Turnbull, Kylie Beaton and Kaitlyn Moulton; plus Bridget Fitzgerald, Katie Welcome and Kaitlin Carroll.

"One of the things I've found is that coaches make very little difference," Annis said. "If the athletes come self-motivated, my job is really easy. If they come unmotivated, then my job is impossible."