Switch college students hope to fill extensive receiver void for UMaine soccer staff
The College of Maine soccer staff’s extensive receiver corps misplaced its two main receivers heading into this season.
Zavier Scott (42 catches-434 yards) and Kobay White (37-411) each departed, leaving Montigo Moss (35-398) as the one returning extensive receiver with greater than a dozen catches.
However two transfers are hoping to fill that void and supply the Black Bears with some high quality and depth at that place.
Breaden Heald transferred to UMaine from Soccer Bowl Subdivision Northwestern College in Illinois a yr in the past and performed on particular groups in 9 video games for the Black Bears. He appeared in 4 video games at Northwestern.
Joe Gillette got here to UMaine this summer time from Lafayette Faculty in Pennsylvania, the place he caught 70 passes for 928 yards in his 4 seasons and ran the ball 17 instances for 167 yards.
Heald and Gillette each turned in noteworthy performances within the first of two UMaine scrimmages on Friday. Heald caught a handful of passes, together with a wonderful one-handed catch throughout the center, whereas Gillette had a few good runs, together with one for a landing on a large receiver reverse.
“They’re each actually good playmakers,” stated UMaine senior quarterback Derek Robertson. “They work tirelessly at their craft and it exhibits on the sector.”
Gillette stated he’s hoping to deliver some expertise to the Black Bear lineup.
“I performed so much at Lafayette and and I’m hoping to have the ability to contribute to the offense,” the 6-foot, 190-pound native of Strongsville, Ohio, stated. “That’s my purpose.”
Being a bit undersized, one of many methods he compensates is by being a pupil of the sport and attempting to consistently be taught and enhance himself.
“I research so much,” he stated. “I delight myself in it.”
Heald stated he realized so much final season from College of Connecticut switch Scott, who’s presently with the Nationwide Soccer League’s Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Faculty switch White.
He has waited for his flip, and now it’s right here.
“We now have an actual good group of fellows within the receivers room and it’s actually aggressive. We now have lots of guys who can play,” stated the 5-11, 198-pound Heald. He stated that extensive receivers coach Mikahael Waters is “doing an ideal job ensuring everyone seems to be wholesome and assured with what we’re doing with the offense.”
The Easthampton, Massachusetts, native stated he intends to belief the method and work on what he can management.
“That is going to be my sixth and final season of school soccer. The NCAA is kicking me out after this season,” Heald stated with a smile. “So I’ve been telling myself to play free and do all the pieces I’ve been doing the previous 20-something years. I’m going to belief my coaching and have enjoyable.”
Being one of many older receivers, he intends to take a management position and assist the youthful receivers. He additionally expects to be very concerned within the particular groups once more.
“I delight myself in having the ability to do something they inform me to,” Heald stated.
Each Heald and Gillette had been proud of the best way Friday’s scrimmage went.
“The offense has come a good distance because the spring when [offensive coordinator Steve Cooper] received right here,” Heald stated. “And I feel we’re going to proceed to development upwards.”
Gillette and Heald, graduate college students who’re each working towards their Grasp of Enterprise Administration levels, may have important roles on the staff within the offense and on particular groups, in keeping with UMaine head coach Jordan Stevens.
“Heald is only a regular man in each facet. He’s constant, he leads by instance,” Stevens stated. “It’s good to see him make some performs on the market. Credit score to him. He simply retains working. I’m actually enthusiastic about him.”
Gillette has been an ideal addition to the staff, in keeping with Stevens.
“He earned the respect of his teammates instantly together with his work ethic,” Stevens stated. “All of the gamers rally behind him.”
Gillette stated he transferred to UMaine as a result of he was searching for a grad college the place he may earn his MBA and he preferred the coaches and gamers.
“There’s a nice group of fellows right here,” stated Gillette, who has some familiarity with the Coastal Athletic Affiliation as a result of Patriot League staff Lafayette performed lots of CAA groups reminiscent of New Hampshire, William and Mary, and Albany.
UMaine will maintain its second and ultimate scrimmage on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Alfond Stadium and can play its season opener towards Soccer Bowl Subdivision staff Florida Worldwide College in Miami on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m.
