By Joseph Cyr
Sports Editor
CARIBOU — My, how much can change in a year. Last season, the Caribou girls soccer team was a Cinderella story as it made its march all the way to the Eastern Class B championship.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Katelynn Tardie of the Vikings collides with a Bucksport player during Saturday’s game. The win gave Caribou a 9-1-1 record.
The Vikings flew under the radar for much of last season, collecting a huge win in the playoffs over rival Presque Isle, and surprised many along the way. This season, the Vikings are one of the more dominant squads in Eastern Class B and have spent the bulk of the season atop the Maine Principals’ Association Heal Points standings.
“We have a program with some great girls,” Albert said. “Many have put in time to improve themselves and it shows. Our skill level has improved from a year ago. Having 16 returning players from last year’s team, which gives the team experience needed for practices to go well.”
The Vikings finished 9-4-1 in the regular season last year and were 11-5-1 overall. This year, the team boasts an impressive 9-1-1 record. The only blemishes are a 1-1 tie to Fort Kent in the second game of the year and a 3-1 loss to John Bapst Sept. 30.
The Vikings’ remaining games are against Mount Desert Island (Oct. 9), Fort Kent (Oct. 14) and a season-ending finale against Presque Isle (Oct. 18). If the Vikings win out, they could secure the top seed in Eastern Class B and more importantly, have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Viking roster includes seniors Jenna Selander (forward), Kayla Collins (midfield), Laura Collins (defender), Lydia Kieffer (midfielder), Jessica Zbylut (midfielder), Madison Outing (midfielder) and Rilee Elliot (keeper); juniors Jamie Martin (forward), Paige Small (midfielder), Sarae Sager (defender), Samantha Murchison (defender), Katie Keaton (defender), Tia McHatten (defender) and Morgan Swan (keeper); sophomores Ginger Kieffer (midfielder), Olivia Sleeper (forward), Katelynn Tardie (forward), Rahel Donner (forward), Meredith Sleeper (midfielder), Hannah Hebert (defender), and Kendra Stephens (midfield).
Assisting Albert is Chris Bell, while the managers are Demarre Doody-Corriveau and Alyson Michaud.
In his 10th season coaching the varsity Caribou girls, Albert has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Selander became the school’s all-time leading goal scorer for girls, breaking a 22-year-old record previously held by Beth Corrow with 53 goals. Selander now has 60 goals for her career.
Martin (seven goals and three assists) and Olivia Sleeper (eight goals, five assists) are other scoring threats, while Hebert, Laura Collins and Sager are the anchors in the backfield.
Swan starts in goal for the Vikings girls.
