UMaine women’s soccer goalkeeper Elise Applegate went into the 2014 season without soccer on her schedule. The fifth-year senior from Lewiston-Auburn had left the team at the end of last semester due to financial strain, but an email from Head Coach Scott Atherley changed her plans for her final semester at UMaine.
“It was either protect my future or continue to do what I love and, unfortunately, I was incapable of doing both,” Applegate said.
She began the semester as a spectator, adapting to a routine without constant practices, workouts and games. She even took in a game from the sidelines for the first time. But then things took a turn, as injuries to the two starting goaltenders opened up a spot for Applegate.
“It freaked me out to be completely honest,” Applegate said. “I pretty much went from having my life be completely consumed by soccer to having my life be completely consumed by what I wanted to do with my future.”
While Applegate was excited to be granted the scholarship she had always hoped for, she was conflicted to give up the routine and schedule she had worked for 10 months to build.
“It was a huge kick in the gut… I’ve never been so angry over 10 grand in my life. It was a very odd feeling.”
Hard feelings aside, Applegate accepted the scholarship and returned to the game she loved. It was not long before she saw action on the field.
“I signed the paperwork Monday, our first practice was on Tuesday and I was the only goalkeeper. There wasn’t much preparation time it was really just sign the papers and start right where you left off despite how long I’d been inactive.”
In that practice, a shooting practice, Applegate faced 200-300 shots. She only had three practices before her first game against a dangerous Holy Cross team. Their offense averaged 3.25 goals per game and were undefeated going into the Sept. 5 matchup against Maine.
“It was really weird, because when I went in there was no pressure at all because nobody was expecting me to do anything spectacular.”
The lack of expectations worked, as Applegate had a brilliant game. She held Holy Cross to just one goal with the help of some solid defense and walked away with nine saves in a 1-0 loss.
“I played a whole lot better than I was expecting to,” Applegate said.
She needed to play well, as Maine has been dealing with multiple injuries, mostly to midfielders. Other players have had to replace the midfielders, and many of them were not midfielders by trade, leading to a lack of offense.
“We’ve always been a defensive-minded team, just innately. Our back line has always been strong and we’ve always had issues with getting the ball forward and taking shots,” Applegate said.
With the first conference games looming, the team has been keeping their eyes forward.
“We just have to focus on conference coming up,” she said. “These next couple of games will be crucial. You want to go into conference with something under your belt. There’s nothing we can do except work our butts off, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
And with the return of a few players, including goalkeeper Claudia Dube-Trempe, the Black Bears were able to muster a win at home, 1-0 versus North Dakota State. One win is far from turning around the season, but it is a step in the right direction.
“We’re struggling, but we’re going to persevere,” she said.
As for Applegate and the rest of the season, she says she is just holding together the leaky ship that is the UMaine women’s soccer team, and will be ready to step aside when the other goaltenders get healthy.
“If they call me and say you need to play, I will work as hard as I can and I’m going to play. For me, I’m just doing whatever they need, and I’m more than ok with that,” Applegate said about her current role on the team.
Applegate has very optimistic expectations for her team heading into conference, assuming everyone is healthy. But one thing is for sure, UMaine soccer plays with a lot of character.
“The points don’t show it; the scoreboard doesn’t show it; and sometimes even our performances don’t show it, but this team has more heart than any other team I’ve played with.”
Maine will head into the next few games with all the confidence in the world, looking to make the best of their situation and win a few games before they begin conference play.
“Even though we’re dealing with a completely bum hand, every day we go out and play like we have aces.”
UMaine will take the field again on Sept. 19 at Central Connecticut.