LEWISTON — The challenge was always there for Larry Thornton.

When he coached the Livermore Falls soccer team a decade ago, the task was always about building something better. His Andies went from a fledgling co-ed team to a formidable contender in the MVC.

Now, Thornton is back, and so is a greater opportunity.

“The motivation to come and coach while going into the KVAC, some people thought that is going to be so hard, and it is,” Thornton said. “I want that challenge, and I want to get kids prepared for that challenge.”

Thornton returns to a Spruce Mountain program that he was part of building. He left the program just before Livermore Falls merged with Jay. He briefly assisted Bill Acritelli, who coached Spruce Mountain until stepping down last fall.

“It was a good time for me to come back,” Thornton said. “From a professional side of it, some things were happening for me. So it allowed me to come back and coach soccer. When that opportunity presented itself, it kind of became a no-brainer.”

Thornton was the head coach for seven years at Livermore Falls. He took over a fledgling soccer program in 2002 and watched it grow into a consistently competitive team in the MVC. The Andies produced winning seasons the final three years he was there, and made the playoffs. He had to step down because of job opportunities. When his professional commitments allowed him to assist Acritelli, he did. The past two seasons, he’s been away from the game.

He’s glad to be back and the experience he had trying to build up the Livermore Falls program could help him in this latest endeavor.

“I’ve always enjoyed coaching,” he said. “I have the experience coming in from when we were a boy-girl team with the Andies back in 2002. There was that challenge to help and get those kids to make that next step.”

The Andies did that. And now, Thornton hopes the Phoenix can do something similar. The scenarios are different. At Livermore Falls, Thornton was still trying to build some sort of foundation. At Spruce Mountain, the parts are in place. Now it is a matter of playing at the competitive level they’ll see in KVAC B.

In the Mountain Valley Conference, the Phoenix saw mostly C schools, some of which struggle to field a competitive soccer program consistently. In the KVAC, they’ll see all Class B schools, many with established and successful programs.

“They have to be at a higher level,” Thornton said. “That is tough. I have to get these guys ready to play in that tough conference. It’s a lot different.”

The Phoenix went 7-6-1 last fall and lost in the Western B quarterfinals to York, 8-0.  Spruce Mountain returns nearly two dozen players from that team, including MVC all-star Noah Parker and eight other seniors.

“A great mix of veteran talent with incoming freshmen, who will be expected to contribute right away, makes for an exciting lineup,” Thornton said.

Parker and fellow seniors Adam Wilcox and Andrew Wilcox form a solid defense with sophomore Eli Kraut. Senior Nick Guild is a veteran keeper while sophomore Nate Goodine looks promising in goal as well. Seniors Shane Missler, Tyler Ritter, Tristen Begin and Jake Luce lead a solid midfield while sophomores Noah Preble and Zach Whitney and freshman Landon Brochu will be counted on for scoring up front.

Thornton’s been pleased with the dedication the team has shown during the preseason. If the work ethic they’ve shown so far is any indication, the Phoenix appear ready to test themselves against the KVAC.

“We’ve had best week of preseason that I’ve ever coached,” Thornton said. “These guys were working hard.”

Thornton made sure the team prepared by playing the toughest schedule it could during the summer and in preseason. Spruce Mountain played in Lewiston’s summer league and then faced numerous Class A and B teams in a preseason round robin at Lewiston.

The Phoenix took some lumps in some games, but they’ve been learning and building a better team as a result.

“I’m coaching these guys to win, if we go down swinging, that’s the way I want to go,” Thornton said. “I don’t want to back down. We’ve got to step up to the challenge. We want to go full tilt. I told the kids that I’m not coaching here just to get them through this. I’m coaching  here to win. What happens happens. As long as we’re working hard and the kids are positive and the work ethic is there, I’m okay.”

kmills@sunjournal.com

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