Bridgton Academy Fall Sports Awards

The Bridgton Academy community gathered together Wednesday night for the annual Fall Sports Awards Banquet. It was a time for the coaches to reflect upon the season and the players to be acknowledge by their classmates and coaches alike on the accomplishments of the season.

Head Coach Kevin Mellon handed out five awards on the night. Zach Johnson (Westbrook, ME) was given the Coaches Award, Chris Rajotte (Avon, CT) the Leadership Award, Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) the Lunch Pail Award, and Michael Peart (Crownsville, MD) and Matt Hill (Northborough, MA) earned Co-Most Improved.

Congratulations to Zach, Chris, Kevin, Michael, and Matt on their awards as well as all of the 2008 Wolverine Soccer team members!!


Head Coach Kevin Mellon (far left) and Assistant Coach Matt Berk (far right) with 2008 award winners (left to right) Chris Rajotte, Michael Peart, Kevin Van Lenten, Zach Johnson, and Matt Hill.

Former Wolverines Having An Early Impact

Two former Bridgton Academy Wolverines from last years 14-3-1 team have remained teammates this season now at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Chris Roswess, a forward for the Minutemen has made 18 appearances this season, including 8 starts, while registering his first collegiate goal, a game winner, on October 24th against the University of Richmond in extra time (98th minute).


Andrew Henshaw, a defender for the Minutemen has made 15 appearances so far this season, including 12 starts. His first collegiate goal came recently, on November 7th versus Saint Louis University. Henshaw headed in a corner kick in the 31st minute giving UMASS an early 1-0 lead in a game the Minuteman held on to win by a final score of 2-1.

Wolverines Comeback Bid Falls Short

The Wolverines Soccer Team gave an admirable effort for a full 90 minutes in their season finale versus Brewster Academy falling 3-2.

Brewster Academy took a quick 1-0 lead in the 6th minute, and struck again just 40 seconds later taking a two goal lead and it appeared as though it would be a long afternoon for the Wolverines. The game evened out over the next 14 minutes of play before Brewster converted on another opportunity making the score 3-0 with 25 minutes to play in the first half. Both teams exchanged scoring chances in the final minutes of the first half to no success.

With his team trailing 3-0 at halftime Head Coach Kevin Mellon must have found some inspirational words for his Wolverines as they came out with a renewed sense of energy and aggressiveness, a leave it all on the field mentality that was as evident as it has been at any point in the season. This new found approach paid off in the 61st minute when Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) fired a shot that was saved by the Brewster keeper only to come right back to Medeiros, whose second effort made it 3-1 and had gotten the Wolverines on the board. Bridgton Academy was not done yet as they really packed it in and kept the ball in the Brewster half of the field with their relentless pressure. Just nine minutes after scoring his first goal of the game, Medeiros struck again, blasting a sinking shot from 25 yards out which initially appeared as though it would sail over the crossbar only to quickly sink below it and find the back of the net to bring the score to 3-2. The Wolverines controlled play for the majority of the final 20 minutes, only to see their comeback bid fall short.

Although the result was not what they were hoping for the Wolverines finished off the 2008 season in a more then respectable fashion.


#7 Joe Medieros (Hudson, NH) settles the ball.


#17 Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) dribbles the ball down field as two Brewster players give chase.


#8 Jabulani Stokes-Nickerson (Chicago, IL) beats a Brewster Academy player to the ball.


#11 Zach Johnson (Westbrook, ME) takes a corner kick for the Wolverines.


#13 Chris Rajotte (Avon, CT) contemplates his next move.

Wolverines Hold off Hebron Academy, Pick Up 4th Win of Season

The Wolverines played host to Hebron Academy Wednesday afternoon and came away with a 4-3 victory. The Wolverines got on the board in the 17th minute when some confusion in the box resulted in a Hebron defender attempting to clear the ball and accidentally put in an own goal. With just over five minutes remaining in the first half Bridgton Academy's Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) added another Wolverine goal, this time in the more traditional way, putting them up 2-0 and igniting a scoring frenzy heading into halftime. One minute later Hebron Academy answered with a goal of their own making it 2-1. 1:23 seconds later Bridgton's David Martin (Cincinnati, OH) gathered the ball in a crowded box and fired a well struck ball that found the back of the net giving the Wolverines a 3-1 lead heading into halftime.

The second half saw things begin to get a bit more chippy with a number of fouls and the games physicality level clearly at a new level. Wolverine goalkeeper Nick Gardner (Manchester, NH) was on the receiving end of two very aggressive charges from the opposing team, the second warranting a yellow card. The Wolverines continued to play their brand of soccer, playing a possession game and capitalizing on the opportunities they gave themselves as a result. In the 57th minute Bridgton Academy's Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) found himself on a breakaway only to be tripped up inside the box resulting in a penalty kick. Team captain Chris Rajotte (Avon, CT) calmly made Medeiros' effort well worth it converting the PK and giving the Wolverines a three goal lead.

That lead quickly began to disappear when Hebron Academy answered with a goal of their own in the 60th minute making the score 4-2. The teams played fairly even for the next 17 minutes before the Wolverines were called for a crucial penalty inside the box giving Hebron a PK opportunity of their own, which they were able to convert. With the score now 4-3 and only 13 minutes remaining the Wolverines needed to step up and protect their lead, and were able to do just that in holding on for a much deserved 4-3 win.

The Wolverines have two games remaining on their schedule for the season, the first coming this Saturday at 3 p.m. in a match away versus Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, before returning home next Wednesday, November 5th to take on Brewster Academy in the regular season finale at 2:30 p.m.


#7 Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) carries the ball in the open field.


#17 Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) gathers the ball moments before scoring his first half goal.


#25 David Martin (Cincinnati, OH) fires a shot inside the box.


#11 Zach Johnson (Westbrook, ME) dribbles through a trio of Hebron defenders.

Bridgton Defeats Undefeated Hebron 4-3

The Wolverines took down undefeated Hebron by a score of 4-3 on a cold, grey day in Maine. Look for photos and game recap soon.

Nice Piece on Bridgton Academy

This ran this past weekend in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Give it a read.

Check out the new player pages

The player pages are now up over on the main Bridgton Academy site. Click on the this link and then click on the player name to link to their bio.

Wolverines Continue to Struggle drop 9-1 decision to South Kent

The Bridgton Academy soccer team's struggles continued this afternoon when they hosted South Kent School. The Wolverines showed promise in the opening few minutes with an aggressive attack, however, it was only minutes later that South Kent was able to chip a shot up over fill in keeper Jabulani Stokes-Nickerson's (Chicago, IL) head. Moments later South Kent struck again taking a 2-0 lead just 10 minutes into the game and it was no looking back from there ending with a final score of 9-1.


Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) settles the ball for a shot.


Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) carries the ball up the sideline.


Chris Rajotte (Avon, CT) races a South Kent player to the ball.


Zach Johnson (Westbrook, ME) prepares to distribute the ball.

Wolverines Suffer Tough Loss at Winchendon

The Bridgton Academy soccer team traveled down to Massachusetts on Friday and suffered a tough loss to a very talented Winchendon team 10-0. Despite the final score the team played hard throughout the game showing a great deal of heart and continued to give a strong effort all the way up until the final whistle. In fact the Wolverines best scoring opportunity came in the 89th minute in what looked to be a surefire goal before Winchendon's keeper was able to deflect it just enough to where it struck the crossbar instead of the back of the net. Coach Mellon had strong praise for his team and their efforts despite some key injuries, particularly to keeper Nick Gardner who suffered a dislocated pinkie in the first half, "We played with a lot of heart, Nick finishing off the first half with a dislocated pinkie just shows how he is always willing to put the team before himself, we're lucky to have a number of guys on the team who are that way."

Coach Mellon and the Wolverines will look to put this game behind them as they gear up for a match this afternoon with South Kent School right here at Bridgton Academy, kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Wolverines take down Phoenix 2-1

The Bridgton Academy soccer team traveled to Hyde School in Bath, ME Wednesday afternoon and came away with a much needed 2-1 victory.
The game started off with the Wolverines dominating possession, however, it was the Phoenix of Hyde who struck first scoring just 5 minutes into the game on a counter attack. The Wolverines continued to apply their relentless pressure and with 20 minutes remaining in the first half it paid off, as Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) placed the ball nicely in the lower corner of the goal. The score was then tied 1-1 and the team was playing with a noticeable increased energy, something that was very evident in Assistant Coach Matt Berk's eyes, "We played with energy, passion, enthusiasm, we were taking things personally and using it as motivation." That motivation again shined through just 8 minutes after knotting the score up at 1-1 the Wolverines struck again when Clarke collected his second goal of the game firing a well struck ball just out of the keepers reach. Bridgton Academy would go on to dominate possession throughout the game and out shoot their opponents by a significant margin, however they were unable to add to their lead and the game ended with the score 2-1. When asked about Clarke's 2 goals Head Coach Kevin Mellon responded by saying "They were really 2 of the better goals we have scored all season, the first one was well placed and the second was well struck." Continuing this type of effort is something Coach Mellon will be looking for as the season begins to wind down, "We are looking for consistency, overall we played pretty well today, it wasn't one of our best games but we still came away with the victory."

The Wolverines will look to build on this win when they travel down to Winchendon School Friday for a 3:30 p.m. start time before returning home for a matchup with South Kent School Wednesday, October 22nd with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.


#8 Jabulani Stokes-Nickerson (Chicago, IL) works around a Hyde defender.


#6 Jay Prizio (Wilton, CT) carries the ball in the open field.


#7 Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) dribbles his way around a pair of defenders.


#23 Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) carries the ball up the field for the Wolverines.


Wolverines defensive wall.


Team meeting during a stoppage of play.

Navy Prep tames Wolverines 6-1

Navy Prep rolled into town Saturday afternoon for a showdown with the Bridgton Academy Wolverines. The first half saw Navy Prep fire shot after shot deep inside Wolverine territory, however, Bridgton Academy goalkeeper Nick Gardner (Manchester, NH) turned away all but one of those shots keeping the Wolverines in the game heading into halftime trailing just 1-0. In the second half Navy Prep continued to pepper the Wolverines goal and this time it started to pay off in a big way as they were able to find the back of the net an additional 5 times in the second half. The Wolverines however would not go down without a fight as they scored a goal of their own to bring the final score to 6-1. The loss drops Bridgton Academy to 2-7-2 on the season.
The Wolverines will get back in action and look to pick up a pair of wins in the coming week when they travel to Hyde for a 4 p.m. start Wednesday, October 15th, followed by a trip to Winchendon School Friday, October 17th with kickoff for that game scheduled at 3:30 p.m.


#7 Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) oh so close against Navy Prep.


#22 Michael Peart (Crownsville, MD) trying to get to a ball against the goalie in the air.


#5 Josh Robinson (Waltham, MA) looks to cross the ball.


#6 Jay Prizio (Wilton, CT) about to make a move around a Navy Prep defender.


#11 Zach Johnson (Westbrook, ME) beats the opposition to the ball.


Captain #13 Chris Rajotte (Avon, CT) about to distribute the ball.


#23 Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) looks to clear the ball.

Wolverines fall to Tilton 4-1

The Bridgton Academy soccer team crossed over the border to New Hampshire Wednesday afternoon for a showdown with undefeated Tilton School. The Wolverines played a strong first half playing patented Bridgton Academy soccer for the first 45 minutes and headed into halftime deadlocked at 1-1. The second half saw Tilton come out firing netting a quick goal to take a 2-1 lead and never looking back after that. The Wolverines failed to answer with any scoring of their own as all momentum belonged to Tilton who added on 2 more insurance goals before the final whistle blew ending in a 4-1 deficit.

The Wolverines will look to turn things around this Saturday when they host NAPS (Naval Academy Prep School) in a 1 p.m. contest.





#7 Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) settles the ball between five Tilton defenders.



#23 Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) clears the ball from danger.



#17 Julian Clarke (Nassau, Bahamas) makes his move.



#11 Zachariah Johnson (Westbrook, ME) makes his way around a Tilton defender.

Wolverines Pick Up a Win and a Tie

The Wolverine soccer team continued their strong play of late picking up a win and a tie versus Gould Academy and Kents Hill School last week to kick off the October portion of their schedule.

Wednesday, October 1st saw Bridgton tie Kents Hill School in what was nothing short of a battle as the two teams exchanged scoring opportunities throughout the game but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw when the final whistle blew. Three days later on Saturday, October 4th the Wolverines traveled to Gould Academy and experienced an offensive explosion, something they had been waiting for all season as they netted a season high 7 goals in the second half to pick up a 7-1 win.

The Wolverines will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to New Hampshire to face undefeated Tilton this afternoon for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff before returning home for the always exciting matchup with NAPS (Naval Academy Prep School) this Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. start time.




#23 Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) fights off a Gould player for possession of the ball.



#11 Zachariah Johnson (Westbrook, ME) takes a shot at goal.



#7 Joe Medeiros (Hudson, NH) makes his away up the sideline.

Wolverines Tie Kents Hill 2-2

Game photos, game recap to follow:

Matt Hill (Southborough, MA) looking for the ball on drive down the line.


Kevin Van Lenten (Topsfield, MA) charging the ball in a drag race with a Kents Hill player.


Josh Robinson (Waltham, MA) moving the ball out of the defensive side of the field.


Jay Prizio (Wilton, CT) running hard.

Another Tough Loss for Bridgton

In a game that was much closer for 75 minutes than the final score reflected, Bridgton Academy lost to Bates College JV by a score of 6-2.

The game saw good play from both teams in the first half, where the score stood at 0-2 with Bates leading going into half time. The Wolverines came out of the half looking to play but soon had another goal scored on them to go down 0-3. It looked like BA was starting to run out of steam when they put a shot on goal nine minutes into the half and brought the score to 1-3. With about 23 minutes left in the half Bridgton scored again, and suddenly the Wolverines began to play with a much greater intensity.

On the field Bridgton really challenged for every ball and it looked like Bridgton was about to tie on a ripping head ball shot from Chris Rajotte which got by the keeper but was saved by an equally impressive header by a bates player to put the ball up and out of play. The resulting corner by Zach Johnson looked to be another good opportunity but the Bates keeper was able to nullify the resulting shot. The intensity stayed strong for about 10 minutes and then Bates scored again to push the lead to 4-2. At this point Bridgton lost a bit of the impetus and the remaining ten minutes resulted in two more goals for Bates.

Look for additional game comments from Coach Mellon and Berk soon.

Bridgton plays at home taking on Kents Hill on Wednesday, October 1st at 3:30.

Zach Johnson at speed trying to put the ball in play.


David Martin trapping the ball in front of the Bates goal.


Jay Prizio and Joe Medeiros trying to make something happen.


Julian looking to feed Zack the ball.



Zach turning on the feed from Julian.


Matt Hill getting ready to challenge a ball in the corner.


Nick Gardner about to make a save.


Van Lenten winning a ball in the air (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Zach beating his man. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Zack in a drag race. (Bruce Cole Jr. Photo.)


David putting up a midfield shot. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Joe fighting for the ball. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Josh fighting for the ball. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Julian clearing the ball. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)


Van Lenten and a Bate player both going for the ball. (Bruce Cole Jr. photo)