Coaches banquet honors Windham fall soccer athletes

Windham High freshman Stella Jarvais, left, junior Abbey
Thornton, senior Sarah Talon, and Windham girl's soccer
coach Deb Lebel gather at the 46th Maine Soccer Coaches
All-Star Banquet in Bangor on Sunday, Dec. 5. Jarvais made
the 'Southern Maine Calss A All-Star Team.' Thornton and
Talon each made 'Southern Maine State,' 'Southern Maine 
Class A All-Star' and "All-Region' teams. Thornton was
named 'Class A Player of the Year' and Lebel was honored
as 'Coach of the Year.' PHOTO BY ALLISON TALON   

By Matt Pascarella

The Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star Banquet awarded players and coaches from all over the state on Sunday, Dec. 5 in Bangor. Windham’s Stella Jarvais, Abbey Thornton, Sarah Talon, Sam Glicos and Wyatt Flibbert each received honors.

Windham senior Sarah Talon and junior Abbey Thornton each made the “Southern Maine State,” “Southern Maine Class A All-Star” and “All Region” teams.

Thornton was named “Class A Player of the Year”.

“This season was one I will remember forever,” said Thornton.

The best part of Thornton’s amazing season was by far sharing such an incredible experience with her best friends and family. 

Freshmen Stella Jarvais made the “Southern Maine All-Star” team.

Jarvais said it was more surreal than anything to be selected at the banquet, especially in her first year. The team made her comfortable enough to play her best. She was playing for them, to get the experience they had.

Windham varsity girls’ soccer coach Deb Lebel said Jarvais was a fierce competitor and stepped onto the field with the confidence of a veteran player. Jarvais never backed away from a play; Lebel is excited to have her back for three more seasons.

Thornton and Talon had 30 goals each for the season, which is rare. Lebel said both had a team-first attitude and played hard for 80 minutes every game.

Lebel added Thornton knows the game well and is extremely deserving of “Class A Player of the Year.” She is a leader on and off the field.

Lebel was named “Coach of the Year” for all New England, large school. She doesn’t feel like she does anything above what other coaches do, so this award is very humbling.

Windham seniors Wyatt Flibbert and Sam Glicos both made the “Southern Maine Class A All-Star” and “All-State” teams. Glicos was also made the “All Region” team.

“These were the two best players, on a team that was the top in conference during the regular season,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Ben Schulz. “Sam and Wyatt both have put in countless hours working on their games, ... speed and agility.”

It felt terrific for Glicos to be a part of the Coaches Banquet. It meant a lot to him confidence-wise. It has always been a goal of his to make the New England team.

He owes it all to the team and the guys setting him up every game.

“It felt great to see not just me but other members of Windham getting the recognition they deserve,” said Flibbert. “It feels good to know I left Windham soccer on such a positive note and that this team has such a bright future.” <