Staff Writer
Wildcat soccer teams battled strong in the white against the Golden Bucks and hilltop wind to remain victorious this Saturday. Both boys and girls teams blanked Bucksport playing on the professional turf of Johnson Athletic Complex.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson LADY ‘CAT Katrina Whittier fights for the ball with Golden Buck Meagan Harriman at Saturday’s match.
The pro field brought out the pro moves in the ‘Cats in a game dominated by Presque Isle pressure in the Bucks’ half of the field with several crosses. The boys scored five goals only 20 minutes into the first half. The 8-0 win brings the Presque Isle record to 5-1-1 at the halfway point of the season.
Coach Scott Young took advantage of the quick lead to give his bench lineup extra time on the field. Throughout the match they swapped out starters with subs to give everyone a chance to play. “We were able to give the other guys some time to play and the bench did really well,” said Young.
Russ Mortland made two goals and passed off one assist for the day. Teammate Steve Carmichael scored another two. Warren Zubrick netted one goal and had one in the assist column as well. Chad Carlin, Gerard Desjardins and Ethan Hill had each made it past the goalie once.
With three assists to his record, Scott Wilson exhibited expert passing. “He stands out,” noted Young. “To be that unselfish, especially in a game like that, shows great teamwork. A great individual.”
Keepers Mark Carvell and Dillon Kingsbury stopped the four shots made at the Wildcats’ net. The PIHS boys now have four shutouts this season, pleasing to the coaching staff.
“This is a defining week for us … We hope to continue to improve in all facets of the game and position ourselves so that we might be able to host a game or two during the playoffs,” said Young. The ‘Cats face John Bapst and Ellsworth in away games, both top-ranked teams in Class B.
The Lady Wildcats brought their record to 6-0-3 with the wins over Bucksport and Old Town Tuesday, Sept. 18 and a loss against John Bapst Monday.
“They’re a very young team,” said coach Ralph Michaud. “I only have two field players that are seniors.”
The PIHS led against Old Town with two goals each by Brittany Bearden and Kayla Legassie. Fired up, Carmen Allen and Katrina Whittier also netted two more scores for Presque Isle. Sarah Porter played team soccer with three assists as well as Legassie and Whittier with one assist each.
“We played very well offensively,” commented Michaud.
Keepers Allisen Donovan and Kelsey Park met against five shots to keep the Coyote score below the ‘Cat’s.
The underclassmen roster had no effect on the outcome against Bucksport. Porter made two successful runs at the net and Kailee Ireland kicked in the third goal. Shantelle Cyr and Legassie both made assists. Keepers Donovan and Park saved all six shots for the shutout.
At Bangor against John Bapst, Legassie made Presque Isle’s only goal unassisted.
Ashland in good standing
The Ashland girls continued their winning season this week with a win over Southern Aroostook and tie in double overtime against Katahdin putting their record at 7-0-2.
At home last Wednesday, the Lady Hornets out shot their opponents. The Hornet offense inundated the Warrior defense with 28 attempts on their goal. Whitney Flint made off with a career record, scoring five goals. She also made an assist on the day. Crystal Cook added two scores and two assists to her statistics. Jessica Jimmo made the last goal. Showing their offensive teamwork skills, Jimmo and Jacky Raymond also made assists.
Keeper Taylor Baker only let one shot past making three saves.
The Hornets look forward to their rematch against Katahdin at home after Monday’s tie.
“The girls were in a funk,” commented Coach Peter Belskis. “We had numerous good chances to gain the lead, so we sort of let them take half our points but I think we’re still in pretty good shape. We’ll use it as a positive learning experience.”
Jalisa Moore of Katahdin broke into scoring in the first half, but Raymond responded with a goal for the Hornets. In the second half, Flint made the leading goal. However, with 3:19 left in play Katahdin’s Moore made a penalty kick to tie.
“We need to have better ball possession and a better sense of urgency,” commented Belskis about the rematch on Saturday.
The boys also met against Southern Aroostook Wednesday in a tight game played into double overtime with the final score at 3-3. Warriors kicked off scoring with a goal by Tyler Robinson. Jeremy Tarr tied up the scoreboard with a penalty kick. Warrior Dakota Sleeper put in the second goal for his team, but Hornet Nick Gimbel responded with one of his own. After a successful penalty kick by Sleeper, it looked like So. Aroostook might add to their victories for the season, but Hornet Tyler Cote made a run at the goal with 5:38 remaining to tie.
“Southern Aroostook played a great game and showed a lot of heart,” commented Ashland coach Kevin Paradis. “He had recently lost a couple players and they also lost another who got hurt during the game.”
However, Paradis addressed his team’s performance in practice after their first tie of the season motivating them to a 3-0 victory over Katahdin on Monday.
Cote pushed in a double goal—one in the first half and one in the second—assisted by Carl Nemer. Jeremy Tarr kicked in Ashland’s third score assisted by Cote. Keepers Lucas Belanger and Bobby Gardiner blocked 15 Cougar attempts at the net.
“I am very proud of my boys,” said Paradis. “Much of our competition did not consider us capable of making a run at a title this year because we graduated our whole defense. My players have shown great commitment and desire to improve.”
As playoffs approach, Ashland gets fired up by recalling some comments made last year at the Class D Eastern Maine final. “The comments were that we looked intimidated and that we lost because Van Buren wanted it more,” explained Paradis. “The playoff should be very exciting.”
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson ‘CAT Parker Brown and Golden Buck Francisco Eyzaguirre
