SEARSPORT — A familiar face has been hired as the new varsity girls soccer coach at Searsport District High School. 

Briana Ellis, who has served recently as an assistant girls basketball coach for the Vikings, was named Amber Stanhope’s replacement. 

“I really enjoyed coaching the [...] team last year and I truly did believe that I would be back,” Stanhope said in an early June interview about her resignation. “Unfortunately things did not play out that way.”

Stanhope stated that though she could have returned to the sidelines this fall as a coach, it was a personal decision not to and she wishes the team the best.

The Vikings girls soccer team concluded the 2018 season with a 6-8 record and were eliminated from the playoffs in the Class D regional quarterfinals.

Ellis could not be reached for comment about her decision to apply for the head coaching position. 

The Vikings will open the regular season Friday, Sept. 6 against George Stevens Academy in Searsport at 4 p.m.

Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.