CASTINE — A trio of former Midcoast soccer players are now battling on the pitch as members of the Maine Maritime Academy men’s soccer team, which plays collegiate soccer as a NCAA Division III program. 

On the team are Midcoast natives Jack Davis, of Belfast; Andrew King, of Thomaston; and Maxwell Tomlin, of Monroe. 

Davis, a 2010 Belfast Area High School graduate, and King, a 2016 Oceanside High School graduate, are majoring in international business and logistics. Tomlin, meanwhile, is a 2018 Mount View High School graduate majoring in power engineering technology. 

Davis appeared in 18 games, starting in 17 games, in 2017 and started in all 16 game appearances in 2018. In his first two seasons with the team, he recorded one goal with seven shots on goal. Davis has started all 14 of the team’s games this year and has tallied one goal and one assist with one shot on goal. 

King appeared in 16 games, starting in three, in 2016 and 15 games, starting six, in 2018. In 2016, recorded two goals with four shots on goal. In 2018, he contributed three goals and eight shots on goal. This season, he has appeared in 12 of the team’s 14 games, starting in three, and has collected three assists and four shots on goal. 

This season is Tomlin’s first season on the team. He has appeared in three games for the Mariners and has recorded five saves while not allowing a goal. 

In the midst of the balancing academics and athletics, the trio of area athletes answered a series of questions as part of the Penobscot Bay Pilot’s ongoing series of speaking with area alumni playing collegiate athletics. 

What was it that made you want to compete for Maine Maritime Academy?

Davis: I love playing soccer. I played four years of varsity in high school at Belfast and realized I missed playing. When I applied to MMA I decided I would like to play again. 

King: I knew that when I graduated high school I wanted to participate in collegiate athletics. I felt like Maine Maritime Academy gave me the best chance to do so. They have excellent academics, as well as a great athletic program. I wanted to compete because I wanted to challenge myself to play soccer at a higher level than high school. 

Tomlin: I knew that the team was hardworking and intelligent and I wanted to contribute to that aspect and find my place on a team.

What was your favorite sports-related memory from high school? 

Davis: I have two. Scoring the game winning diving header in overtime against Rockland (now Oceanside) and hitting a walk off home run in my last varsity baseball game.

King: My senior year of basketball, in 2016, We beat undefeated Hampden Academy at the Augusta Civic Center where they had not lost a game in three years. 

Tomlin: My favorite memory from high school was playing in my final soccer game at that school knowing that I had put all my efforts in to being the best I could be for my team

What are your personal goals in the classroom?

Davis: I would like to graduate with a 3.5 GPA or better. 

King: My personal goals in the classroom are the same as on the field. I give 100% in all aspects, whether it be participating in class, doing homework, working on group projects, or studying for an exam, I give 100%.

Tomlin: I strive to understand all the material and push my mind beyond what it already is. 

What are your personal goals on the field?

Davis: One of my goals was to be a captain and I have achieved that. The next thing to check off the list is winning the NAC championship.

King: My personal goals on the field are to always give 100%, improve everyday are practice, and to be a goo teammate. 

Tomlin: Make as many saves in the right moments as I can and to become more technical with my feet.

What are your post-college plans?

Davis: Find a well-paying job in my field which allows me to travel.

King: Hopefully to get a job in my field close to home and continue to live in Midcoast Maine. 

Tomlin: As of right now, my plans are to go into the clean energy power industry working with either solar or wind I feel that is the way to world is going and that will be our future.

What advice do you have to other Midcoast Mainers looking to play collegiate sports?

Davis: Work hard every day, don’t compare your success to others because everyone has a different path, and never give up on yourself. 

King: My advice would be two things. One, to play multiple sports. Even though playing sports in college comes with the thought process that you have to play that certain sport year-round, you don’t, the best thing you can do it play multiple sports. The other things would be to utilized facilities around you. In high school I went to the PITCH just about every Sunday during the winter and I also played Club soccer from 6th grade all the way up to senior year of high school. 

Tomlin: If you want to succeed at this level you need to put in the work and devote a lot of time to honing your craft.

What drew you to playing collegiate soccer?

Davis: I had played college baseball at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland and loved every minute of it. I love being a part of a team. Enjoying the successes and learning from the failures together builds character. I knew that I wanted to be a part of that comradery again.  

King: I’ve always had a love for the game of soccer and it has always been the sport I am most passionate about and have enjoyed the most and I wanted to continue to play and compete after high school. 

Tomlin: The players on the team I saw how close they were and knew I wanted to be apart of that.

What is your favorite thing to do when in Midcoast Maine?

Davis: I really enjoy sailing with my dad and sister. I haven’t had much time with school and internships but I like to go when I can.

King: My favorite is to visit all of the local attractions such as the Rockland Breakwater, Camden Snow Bowl, the beaches, etc. As well as hang out with friends and family.

Tomlin: I enjoy being out on the water or at a beach.

What is your favorite way to spend your down time?

Davis: Hanging out with friends and family. Mostly binge watching tv shows.

King: I like to spend my downtime watching TV, hanging out with friends, and being active. 

Tomlin: Relaxing with friends, Shooting around and getting better.

What is your favorite quote?

Davis: “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart kid and you can never go wrong.” ~ Babe Ruth in the Sandlot

King: “Good enough isn’t good enough anymore.”

Tomlin: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” and “Be Better.”

What is one thing that motivates you or inspires you in life?

Davis: My parents. They love doing what they do and they’re work ethic in the later stages of life inspire me to keep working hard. 

King: My parents are by far my biggest motivators. They have inspired me from day one and taught me everything I know about hard work and dedication. 

Tomlin: Knowing that I can provide for my family and live comfortably.

What is one place you hope to travel to one day that you have yet to visit?

Davis: Southeast Asia and Japan. Of course I would love to go to Europe but if I had to choose I’d choose this region. 

King: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Jackson, Wyoming. 

Tomlin: Italy. My family is all Italian and I would love to see where we get some of our traditions. 

What do you believe is your greatest accomplishment in life?

Davis: I do not believe I have accomplished it, yet. 

King: My greatest accomplish in life is going to be graduating, and up to this point it is all the little things along the way that have helped me get closer to achieving that accomplishment.  

Tomlin: Getting accepted into Maine Maritime Academy. 

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