Thornton Academy’s Charlotte Belanger is one of many girls soccer players in the Class of ’25 who continue their careers in Div. I’m programming. Belanger will play at the University of Maine. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

When Cheverus girls soccer coach Craig Roberts looks at SMAA, he sees a packed conference. Roberts can pick strong players from all the top teams and knows the Class A South playoffs will be tough.

“We all think our team can go all the way. And I’m sure there are others as well. That leads to a lot of sleepless nights from September through October,” Roberts said.

SMAA is hardly alone when it comes to elite girls football players.

At least nine seniors from around Maine have committed to play for a Division I program, and more may do so in the coming weeks and months.

Four players are headed to the University of Maine: Windham’s Stella Jarvais, Thornton Academy’s Charlotte Belanger, Camden Hills’ Britta Denny and Bangor’s Teagan Atherley, who will play for her father, Scott Atherley.

Windham native Stella Jarvais is one of four Maine players in the Class of ’25 who plan to play at the University of Maine. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Cheverus’ Finley Brown and Gorham’s Bailey Hatch plan to play at Le Moyne College in New York next season. Anneliese Collin of Portland is attending the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Deering’s Elsa Freeman will attend Boston College. Gorham’s Ashley Connolly is committed to South Carolina.

“Widespread. There is a wide variety of talent in every grade in Maine,” Collin said. “There are also a lot of good kids going to Division II and III schools.”

It is not uncommon for football players from Maine to compete at the Division I level. Six Mainers play for the Black Bears, who enter this week with a record of 10-1-3 and 6-0-1 heading into America East play. Lincolnville native Kristina Kelly, a Camden Hills graduate, ranks third on the team with three goals and five assists. Bryant University has five Mainers on its roster. Lana Djuranovic from Scarborough, 2023 Maine Player of the Year, He is in his first season at the University of Miami.

But it’s unusual to have so many Division I players coming from the same class. Experienced coaches see this as a result of more athletic kids playing more competitive football throughout the year and receiving better coaching at a younger age.

“Obviously, there is a commitment to Premier football,” said longtime Gorham High School coach Jeanne Zarrilli. “Years ago, there was a push to license youth league coaches and they learned better coaching tactics. … This has to be the highest number of Chapters I have ever seen outside of Maine.”

Chris Scott, who has coached at Epping, New Hampshire-based Seacoast United football club since 2011, agreed that players are now exposed to more competitive football and competing at a younger age.

“Class 25 is one of the strongest classes I have ever faced,” Scott said. “As girls’ football has developed, the athleticism and physicality has become an important component. Now players are stronger, faster and more powerful.

All 14 of the high school seniors on Seacoast United’s U19 roster, which also includes players from Maine and New Hampshire, will play college football, 10 of them at Division I programs. Collin, Freeman, Belanger, Connolly and Denny are among the Mainers on the team.

“The teams we face are very competitive,” Freeman said. “It helped a lot… The speed of the game, that’s the biggest difference.”

Gorham’s Bailey Hatch gets a header in a game this season. Hatch will play at LeMoyne next season. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Camden Hills girls soccer coach Meredith Messer said current players are taking advantage of opportunities that previous generations didn’t have.

“You have players going to California and Florida for tournaments, and there are more opportunities to practice throughout the year,” Messer said.

Belanger said he is excited to face friends like Collin in an America East game in the future.

“We’ve been playing each other (with Seacoast United) for a long time. From now on, me and Anna will play with each other,” Belanger said.

While many players focus solely on football throughout the year, Scott said he encourages them to play multiple sports. Collin placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and fourth in the pole vault at the Class A Track and Field Championships held last spring. successful Ultimate player, This past summer I was playing for Team USA at the World Ultimate Junior Championships. Freeman competes indoors and plays lacrosse at Deering. Jarvais is among the best softball players in the state.

“These decisions need to happen organically,” Scott said. “We will never force an athlete to make a choice. The moment you start forcing the issue, you create resentment. Being a multi-sport athlete has its benefits. “They are versatile athletes.”

Scott said college coaches are realizing the commitment that comes with not just playing football, but just playing for a club.

“College coaches see that perseverance and determination. If they are willing to come to New Hampshire five or six times a week, they really want it,” Scott said.

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