“Live Free or Die,” that’s the state motto of New Hampshire, the home state of Pine Grove Area’s Girls Head Soccer coach Lexi Towne. While that isn’t necessarily her personal mantra, having been born and raised in the Granite state, she admits, “it will forever be a part of her upbringing.”

Towne played soccer from her youth until high school and part of her college career. “Becoming a coach was the next logical step after my time as a player had ended,” Towne says on becoming head coach. She says that, “Seeing players improve in their game; whether it is a new move or skill or scoring a goal,” is her favorite part of coaching.

As for the position she played, she says, “I mostly played forward but was willing and able to play all positions except goalkeeper [I can’t jump].”

This soccer season is coming to an end in a few weeks but the players are just as excited as they were at the first game. Towne says, “I hope for a strong team bond and fond memories for the players on the playing field. The goal for the season is always to win, and I hope the team makes a good postseason run.”