Staff Writer
The Fort Fairfield Tigers have undergone a switch in their style of play this season, and the results have been positive.
Coach John Ala’s soccer team is in seventh place in Eastern Maine Class D, taking an 8-5 record into its regular season finale against Central Aroostook yesterday afternoon.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
Fort Fairfield’s Josh Booth moves in for a shot against Limestone/MSSM goaltender Brandon Hopkins and defender Parker Rossignol during last Tuesday’s match in Limestone. The Tigers took an 8-5 record into their regular-season finale at Central Aroostook and is hoping to have the opportunity to host an Eastern Maine Class D preliminary playoff match.
“I’m pleased with the way we’re playing,” Ala said. “It’s not kick-and-run … it’s more possess and pass and move and it’s because we have the personnel to do it, guys who understand the game very well.”
Ala has realigned the Tigers’ formation, with the back line now in a “flat or zonal four” look as opposed to the diamond (stopper, sweeper and two wing fullbacks) he formerly employed and most teams still utilize.
“It has allowed us to make runs from the back,” Ala said, noting that nine or 10 of his players have scored at least one goal, so a lot of different players in different positions have contributed to the offense.
Senior goalkeeper Austin Dufour also has more responsibilities with the new style, as he has become more of an offensive threat as he starts a lot of the team’s runs with quick throws to the wings.
Ala credits assistant coach Alf Bergman, who specializes in goalkeeping, for helping Dufour in his expanded role.
Josh Booth, a junior, led the Tigers in scoring last year with 18 goals. Through the first 13 games, he has eight, but Ala likes how the forward has adjusted from being a primary scoring threat to someone who controls the offense more and sets up teammates for scoring opportunities.
Sophomore Travis Noyes and junior Josh Churchill are Fort’s other top scorers. Noyes is making the switch to an offensive midfield position after playing sweeper back last year, and has had a great year, according to Ala. Churchill, a wing, is “very skilled with the ball,” according to Ala. “He likes to get it out wide and move it around.”
Much-improved junior Jeremy Dillon and a pair of newcomers, sophomore Austin Bixler and freshman Grant Lundquist, are other starters. Bixler had never played soccer until this year, but has demonstrated natural skills that have made him a key player at the defensive midfield position. Lundquist has shown great versatility, being able to play striker, defensive mid, fullback or an outside mid all with consistency.
Senior Andrew Forsman, an all-state player a year ago, anchors a defense which also includes Brandon Doughty, Ian Towle and Nate McLaughlin. Towle didn’t play last year, but has “been huge” in 2008.
Derek Dufour, Pat Kinsey and Nick Avery are the Tigers’ top reserves. Kinsey, a senior, is a high-character player who is valued for his leadership. Avery is a junior who had not played soccer since his sixth-grade season.
For Fort Fairfield to make a run deep into the post-season, Ala says his team has to do a better job of finishing near the goal, but also simply has to “continue playing the style we’ve established and continue to improve.
“I like the way we’re playing right now.”
