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Pingree (1-0) blanked Berwick (0-1) 4-0 to earn their first win. Cara Lemire, Nina Hatch, Caitlin Doherty and Sam Taylor each scored for Pingree.

Last year's record: 11-3-2

Coach: Alan McCoy (19th year)

Returning starters: Jamie Cappucci, Soph. midfield-striker; Michaela Colbert, jr, defender; Caitlin Doherty, Jr. midfield; Katie King, jr, defender; Cara Lemire, sr, midfield-defense; Jackie Lee, sr, striker; Kate Roman, sr, midfield; Sam Taylor, sr, striker; Kellie Barile, sr, keeper.

Every football coach's dream would be having 21 of 22 starters returning. That ideal situation is a reality for Pingree's Chris Powers as his program gears up for its third varsity season.

Pingree went 3-6 last year, its first as a member of the Evergreen League. The Highlanders defeated Dexter School, Providence Country Day and had their best victory (37-18) in a 37-18 season-ending win over Vermont Academy.

Last year's record: 17-2

Coach: Eric Olson (1st season)

Returning players: Ned Siegal, Sr., Def; Nate Leach, Sr., Mid; Jake Barnett, Sr., Def.; Adam Logan, Sr., Def; Winsthon Lopez, Sr., F; Billy Nickerson, Sr., F; Andrew Smealie, Jr., Mid; Dan Guley, Sr., Mid; Amory Parker, Sr., F; Ben MacLaughlin, Sr., F; Lenworth Williamson, Jr., Def

Last year's record: Undefeated in EIL regular season, lost in Finals of the New England Championships

Coach: Jess Moore (2nd year)

Returning starters: Liza Richardson, Haley Thompson, Lindsay Thompson, Amy McLauhglin, Alex St. Pierre, Lyndsey Shepard, Dale Bishop.

HAMILTON | When your football program is practically in its infancy, you have to swallow hard sometimes and accept the Ouch Factor.

The Ouch Factor? It's what happens when a team is forced to finish a game, even though it's so far behind there's little hope of any way to mount a comeback. It happens to every young program that has to play a long-established team. The outcome is predictable and occasionally painful, but you can't let it get you down.