When Brooklynne Lewis completes her soccer career at the University of Maine at Machias, she wants to be remembered.
“When I leave, I want people to know my name,” Lewis said. “I don’t want to leave a nobody. I want to make my mark.”
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Just a few months into her collegiate soccer career, Lewis has already made her mark. The freshman and Carrabec High School graduate leads the Clippers with 18 goals in 12 games. She’s second in the Yankee Small College Conference in scoring, and she’s helped UMaine-Machias complete an undefeated 6-0 regular season in the East Division of the conference.
Lewis and the Clippers (8-4) finish the regular season Wednesday with a non-conference game at UMaine-Fort Kent. On Saturday, they’ll play in the YSCC semifinals in Concord, N.H. If UMaine-Machias wins the conference championship, it will play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament in Charleston, West Virginia.
Lewis scored three goals in Saturday’s 7-0 win over Central Maine Community College. Last week, Lewis scored the only goal in a key 1-0 win over Unity.
“I knew she was going to score goals,” UMaine-Machias coach PJ Singh said. “She has something in her. That tenacity she brought helps us.”
Lewis hoped to play well as a newcomer to college soccer. Even she is a little surprised at her scoring success.
“I honestly didn’t expect to start,” Lewis said. “I’m having a better season (than I) ever imagined.”
There was an adjustment period to the increased speed and skill of the players, Lewis said, but she adapted quickly.
“When the competition got better, so did I,” Lewis said.
Lewis scored her first goal in her first game, a 3-1 loss to Canadian school St. Thomas. It was a one-on-one chance, and Lewis beat the keeper by shooting to her right. Scoring in that first game was a confidence boost.
“I knew I was going to fit right in,” Lewis.
“I like to make players believe they can do more,” Singh said. “We helped her believe in herself. She’s a very humble player.”
Singh said Lewis’ ability to move and get open is her biggest asset as a striker, especially on a young team. Lewis is one of 14 first year players on the Clippers roster.
“Her mobility helps us. She’s one of the only natural forwards we have,” Singh said.
While Machias is a three and a half hour drive from her Anson home, it’s just 45 minutes from Lewis’ grandparents in Hancock. That, along with the school’s pre-veterinary program and Singh’s personable coaching style, all factored in Lewis’ decision to attend UMaine-Machias. Right now, the goal is to win the conference tournament. Ultimately, Lewis would like to help the Clippers succeed on a higher level.
“I’d like us to be a huge contender at nationals,” Lewis said.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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