Watch: Gardiner soccer is Varsity Maine Girls Team of the Week
Gardiner Girls Soccer Climbs to First‑Place Spot in Class B North
Gardiner High School’s girls soccer program has found itself in an unexpected position of power in the Class B North division. The Tigers are currently at the top of the Heal Point standings, a rare achievement for a team that has traditionally been solid but rarely contended for the championship.
The team has won its first nine games of the season, including decisive victories over cross‑divisional opponents Morse (2‑1) and Messalonskee (3‑0). Their only non‑win came on Tuesday, when they drew 1‑1 with Erskine Academy in an away match. The record now stands at 9‑0‑1, giving the Tigers a strong foothold in the standings.
A Fresh Lineup, A Fresh Focus
After losing six seniors who finished the 2025 season with a 10‑5‑1 record, coach Jess Prince and his staff spent the preseason experimenting with player combinations. The current roster features three freshmen—Olivia Ketner, Evalyn Grover and striker Riley Antognoni—along with several returning players in new positions. When senior center back Sara Mansir suffered an injury, the coaching staff shifted midfielders to fill the void. Center midfielder Molly Takatsu moved to the back line, Lexi Dyer advanced from outside midfielder to center midfield, and senior Kaetlyn Stevens stepped into Dyer’s former role.
“Her speed is a nightmare for opposing defenders,” Prince said of Antognoni, who has become a key part of the team’s balanced attack. The defense has been equally strong, with junior first‑year starter Adela Ricker recording three shutouts and anchoring a back line that has conceded only nine goals across 14 games.
Playoff Outlook
Gardiner’s performance this season has raised expectations for a deep playoff run. The team has traditionally fallen short on the road in quarterfinals over the past three seasons. Coach Prince noted that the team’s current record and the fact that they have not yet faced any of the other top six teams in the regular season make predicting their playoff performance difficult. “The past three seasons, we’ve been knocked out by a team that didn’t even have a common opponent,” he said, emphasizing the advantage of a home quarterfinal if the Tigers advance.
Senior defender Cheyenne Goodman echoed the team’s surprise and enthusiasm. “It’s somewhat of a surprise,” she said. “At the same time, we’re working really hard. We’re excited, because my whole high school career, we’ve never been undefeated this far in.”
With 25 goals scored and a solid defensive record, Gardiner’s girls soccer team appears poised to capitalize on its momentum and potentially secure a home advantage deeper into the postseason. As the season approaches its climax, the Tigers will look to maintain their undefeated streak and translate regular‑season success into playoff glory.
