In three years as coach of the Edward Little girls soccer team, Tyler Shennett’s squad has never lost to rival Lewiston.

The Red Eddies continued that streak Saturday afternoon, thanks to two unassisted goals by freshman midfielder Jasmine Thompson.

“I think … my teammates set me up perfectly for both goals,” Thompson said. “I think the first one was a perfect angle to get it in and I just tracked down the ball from where it got hit, and then I just shot my shot.”

Her first goal was at 11:19 of the first half off a corner kick, as she dribbling a shot through the Blue Devils’ defensive line into the left corner of the goal. Her second, just 58 seconds into the second half, put Edward Little (2-4) ahead 2-1.

Shennett has known Thompson for two years now, and said that he’s been amazed by her progression as an athlete. He motivated her at halftime by saying, “everyone’s scared of you, just keep doing your thing.”

“She’s fighting for her right to be a starter, and she’s earned every second she’s got,” Shennett said. “She melds right with all the other girls and she really helps our midfield tick. I could literally play her anywhere on the pitch, and she would be useful, but when you put her out in that number 10 role, where she dominates the midfield, like we saw today, her presence is felt.”

St. Dom’s athletes on both rosters

With the closure of St. Dominic Academy in Auburn this spring, former Saints players transferred to both Lewiston and Edward Little high schools. For the Red Eddies, that’s junior starting center back Hailey Labrecque. At Lewiston (1-4), juniors and twin sisters Piper and Chloe Croteau now don a Blue Devils uniform, as does Olivia Tapley. However, Tapley is out for the season because of an ACL tear.

Lewiston coach Kevin Albert said he’s currently working around injuries that have sidelined 25% of the team.

“We are really beat up; we’ve got five girls out right now with injuries, and I was proud of the way that they really put in the effort,” Albert said. “Short-handed – it’s not an excuse – but they continue to work hard. We brought up a couple girls from the JV team, they gave a great effort and really helped us out. That’s probably the biggest thing for me, is that they don’t give up.”

He added that the Croteau twins have already made an impact on the program with their hard, physical playing style.

“The most I can say is just how hard they work,” Albert said. “They’re good kids, they want to play, they’re committed to playing, they’re trying to get better, whatever it is, they’re just working hard.”

Statistical leaders

Edward Little: Jasmine Thompson (two goals), Lola Cunningham (12 saves)

Lewiston: Ella Beaudoin (one goal), Emily Desrosiers (11 saves)

They said it

“I feel like sometimes in the middle, in our defensive zone, we had to work there. Then we got some balls and got some through balls and 1v1’s, things like that.” — Lola Cunningham, Edward Little goalkeeper

“I graduated my two starting center backs last year, with Lexi Kelsea and Rachel Penny, and they were obviously huge for me in my first two years. We were definitely going to have to have a defensive switch this year, and Hailey Labrecque coming in has definitely been a huge addition. The girls love her, she’s fit right in and she’s been that rock and defense for us, and really, we’re thankful to have her.” — Tyler Shennett, Edward Little coach

“We scored off a throw-in, a really nice throw-in by another freshman that was playing. She’s played quite a bit for us so far in the season, had a really nice throw-in, played it into (Beaudoin), and she was able to just get some space, make a nice touch. She’s really been a really strong player for us.” — Kevin Albert, Lewiston coach