The Little East Conference Tournament is underway for both the Men’s and Women’s programs making their mark, who are both having strong seasons. The University of Southern Maine has four hometown athletes, all sophomores and all have a key role on the team in one way or another, with two athletes on the men’s side and two athletes on the women’s side. Colin Albert, GHS ‘22 (midfield), Asa Farley, GHS ‘22 (defense), Erin Castonguay, GHS ‘22 (defense) and Julia Kratzer, Cheverus ‘22 (midfield).

On Saturday, Oct. 28, both the men’s and women’s team concluded their regular season with road games in Vermont and New Hampshire, with different games on the line. On the men’s side, their last regular season game was moved from a home game to Plymouth State in light of the events in Lewiston. The game v. Castleton State was a must tiebreaker to make it into the play-offs.

The team did just that and went on to play Western Connecticut State in Danbury CT, three days later on Oct. 31st in a quarterfinal match-up. In the 69th minute of the match Western Connecticut State scored their second and winning goal, but not before a Husky goal was scored in the 75th minute, on a thread from senior midfielders who got the ball out to their forward for a low far post shot.

Southern Maine’s appearance in the 2023 Little East Conference playoffs is the first since 2018, and just the fourth overall appearance in program history. The Huskies 22 goals this season are the most by the program since 2008. On the women’s side, the Huskies are the 2023 Regular Season champion for the second consecutive season and are the top seed and will have a “bye” week. They will host the semifinal game on Nov. 2 and will play the winner of No. 4 UMass Boston v. No. 5 Rhode Island College.

The Huskies are the defending 2022 Little East Conference tournament champions. The Huskies (13-1-4 overall) are ranked third in the most recent NCAA Division III Region 1 Rankings, and have outscored their opponents 47-13 this season, and hold an 8-0 record at home in 2023. The men’s team will no doubt be supporting the women’s team on their home turf at Hannaford field in Gorham.

Here is more of what the hometown athletes of Gorham are doing on and off the field:

Sophomore defender Erin Castonguay is a key player for the Huskies in the backfield. She is strong in her position and has played a key role in the Huskies success story this season. She has played in every regular season game. Castonguay was part of the Rams program for four years who went deep into play-off action. Castonguay is studying elementary education.

Sophomore midfielder Julia Kratzer played a good deal of minutes in the first half of the season before an injury set her back. She scored a goal v. Westfield State University and had an assist v. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine both in September. Gorham is Kratzer’s hometown, attending Cheverus High School. Krazter shared, “Right now I am supporting my teammates on the sidelines, doing my best, while I heal this injury. I have also decided to play basketball for the Huskies this season and I am looking forward to it.” Kratzer is studying computer science.

Sophomore midfielder Colin Albert is a smart-minded soccer player with great field awareness and quickness. He can give a lot of the best players on the other team a lot of problems with his speed and passing capabilities. His work ethic is noted by those that watch him play and the last three games of the season were no exception. Albert was a key player for the Rams who made it to the regional finals in 2021. He is studying business finance.

Sophomore defender Asa Farley is a strong athlete and solid defender for the Huskies and plays a key role for USM. With a height of 6 ‘1 and a strong presence on set pieces (corner kicks) he gives his team an advantage over opponents on these scoring opportunities. Farley was also part of the Rams ‘21 season and played a huge role in the team’s success to get to the Regionals. Farley is studying athletic training.