Worthley third in regional shootout

    A Houlton 9-year-old had an outstanding showing in the Girls Under 10 Division at the Elks’ regional Soccer Shootout, coming in third place.
    Abigail Worthley competed in Portsmouth, N.H. at the Seacoast United Field against the stiff competition of seven other finalists.
    Worthley’s third-place finish wasn’t easy. The competition switched from outdoors to indoors, which took her some time to adjust to kicking on turf, since the ball rolls faster. She tied for third and had to win a kickoff.
    “The kickoff involved shooting five shots at the smallest goal,” explained her mother Jana.
    Worthley went first and made all five shots, pretty much sealing the deal for third.
    Worthley began playing soccer when she was 5 years old through the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department’s youth program. This is her third time participating in the Elks Soccer Shootout. Each year, Worthley improved, just missing the regional competition in 2009 with her second-place state finish.
    “Her goal this year was to make it to the regionals,” said her mother. “She had to win the local, district and state competitions to do that. So, she was very happy to make the trip to Portsmouth.”
    Worthley, the daughter of Jana and Jonathan Worthley, did remarkably well in a competition that began last summer, with more children participating than in any previous year, according to Terrance Ford, regional Soccer Shootout director from Naugatuck, Conn.
    Worthley continues to set new goals, and her next one for 2011, to win at the regional competition.
    “Abbie really enjoyed the trip, meeting several girls who she hopes to remain in contact with,” her mother said.
    But, the best part of the trip other than meeting new friends, having some “alone” time with her mom and dad, as her brother Jacob and sister Ali stayed at home.
    On Nov. 6, Worthley and her parents were special guests at a banquet held in honor of all 74 participants in this year’s regional finals.