The numbers are climbing. The enthusiasm is rising. No doubt about it, things are looking up for coach Steve Langevin and his Pembroke Academy girls soccer team.

Though the Lady Spartans dropped their home opener on Friday, Aug. 29, 2-0, to visiting Bow, Langevin is confident this varsity group of six seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen has the ability to improve on last year’s 6-10 record, which included a flat 1-8 start and strong 5-2 finish.

“We had 55 kids playing summer scrimmages and making the Maine trip (for a tournament),” said Langevin, who added he was pleasantly surprised by the high turnout. “That gave us a chance to see what they’re capable of. In that type of situation, we didn’t even have to try to do any team bonding. They just took care of it themselves.”

Sometimes, players form cliques along class lines, snuffing out any chance at team chemistry. Sometimes, upperclassmen resent watching a younger athlete garner more playing time.

That possibility worried Langevin.

But following the Maine trip – players camped out at the fields, and there was no seniors-only or juniors-only tent – and after seeing increased maturity from his returning athletes – especially captains Jenni Poulin, Ashley Pelissier and Kristen Jordan – the mentor said he can focus on in-game specifics, like the offense.

PA had trouble finding the back of the net in 2007, and the first game of ’08 was no better, but Langevin said the Maine excursion and other preseason scrimmages convinced him the team’s scoring would increase. “We have a lot of players who aren’t afraid to go to the goal,” said Langevin, who paired Pelissier with freshman Hannah Pinard at forward to start the Bow contest. He also praised sophomore forward Rachel Devoe.

“She is, without question, the most improved player on the team,” said the coach.

And PA mixes a veteran presence with youthful exuberance in the midfield, backfield and net as well. Against Bow, aggressive sophomore keeper Haleigh Parker started, then senior Hannah McTigue played the second half. Langevin said it doesn’t matter who starts, so the rotation can and will change.

Among the four starting midfielders are two seniors, Poulin and Jordan; a sophomore, Marissa Letendre; and a freshman, Lizzy Olsen. Langevin said Jordan, an all-state player in the backfield last year, gladly moved to midfield to help the Spartans transition the ball to attack.

In the backfield, Kara Loiselle, a junior, and Emma Pinard, a sophomore, team with freshmen Alyssa Douglas and Abby McCormack.

Junior midfielders Molly LaPlume, Jordan Heath, Taylor Bachelder and Chelsey Martinelli join senior Ariel Abbott in providing PA seasoned options in reserve, as do backs Jen Cheney, a junior, and Brooke Murray, a senior. In fact, Devoe is the lone underclassman coming off the bench.

“The (upperclassmen) understand that some of these younger players have earned the time (on the field),” said Langevin. “But all of these players are ready to step in when they’re called.”