By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Fort Fairfield Tigers received a clutch play from Janae Libby with time winding down to edge past Ashland, 1-0, in a match played at Presque Isle Monday.
Aroostook Republican Photo
Meredith Sleeper of Caribou looks to make a pass in a game last Saturday against Ellsworth. The Vikings squeaked out a 1-0 win.
The Tigers, in second placed in Eastern Maine Class D with their 6-3 record, broke a scoreless tie on Libby’s shot, which came with just 10 seconds left in regulation.
“The goal was scored on a quick transition up the field from a defensive play and both strikers, Kylie Plourde and Libby, used their speed to attack the ball,” said FF coach Kerrie Alley of the winning play. “Janae got around the defender and then was able to make the goalie commit to her and with a quick last-second touch on the ball she was able to knock it in the goal.
“It was a team effort and a great example of never giving up and playing every second of the game,” Alley added.
Katy Donovan saved nine of 10 shots for the shutout in goal, while Ashland’s Macie Ballenceau saved eight of 12. The Hornets fell to 1-7-1 with the loss.
“We did well getting in our passing patterns, communicating and working together,” Alley said of Monday’s effort. “I was impressed with our transitions too. Ashland’s defense did a really good job marking us and making us work for every ball.”
Washburn, which was idle last week after its scheduled match against Wisdom Thursday was postponed, has a 9-0 record and remains in first place in the ‘D’ rankings, ahead of FF, No. 3 Van Buren (6-3), No. 4 Easton (6-4-1) and No. 5 Central Aroostook (4-4-2).
Summaries of other matches played through Monday are as follows:
Caribou 1, Ellsworth 0 – The Viking girls pushed their record to 6-0-1 in a home match played Saturday, with Sarae Sager scoring on a direct kick with 17:58 left in the first half for the only goal of the contest.
“It was from about 30 yards out,” Caribou coach Todd Albert said of the goal. “She strikes the ball well and it was great to see her put one in the goal during the game.”
Morgan Swan saved four of seven shots for the shutout. The Vikings have allowed just two goals in their first seven matches and remained in the top spot in the Eastern Maine Class B standings.
“We continue to play good defense and have produced just enough offensively,” Albert added. “I really like the way practices are going, so it is just a matter of time before finishing more goals happens.”
Ellsworth keeper Jessica Toothaker made three saves on 12 shots. The Eagles dropped to 4-2 with the loss.
Caribou’s next game is at home Saturday at 1 p.m. against Old Town.
Fort Kent 2, Fort Fairfield 1 – The Warriors edged the Tigers Friday on their home field behind first-half goals from Lauren Doak and Michaela Desjardins.
Libby scored off a Logan Bubar assist in the second half for Fort Fairfield.
Alexa Pelletier made four saves on six shots for the winners, also 5-3. Donovan saved six of nine for the Tigers.
Van Buren 8, Limestone-MSSM 2 – At Van Buren last Wednesday, Crusader sophomore standout Parise Rossignol netted six goals in the rout.
Rossignol also had an assist for 6-3 Van Buren. Brittany Duprey had the other goal for the winners and teammate Ashlie Wilson saved 15 of 21 shots in goal.
Amanda Allen and Kennedi Smith both scored for the 1-7-1 Eagles, the 13th-place team in EM Class D. Mariah Williams added an assist and goalie Karen Page turned away 17 of 28 shots.
The Eagles hosted top-ranked Washburn last night and are now off until Oct. 13.
