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.
ALLYX BEAULIER (28) of Ashland and Fort Fairfield’s Nicole Giberson both go for the ball in a game in which the Tigers would prevail 1-0.
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:
Central Aroostook 10, Hodgdon 0 – The Panthers prevailed at Hodgdon Monday, as Rachael Grew scored four times in the easy win over the winless Hawks.
Olivia Garrison netted a pair of goals, while Breanne York, Marissa Anthony, Vicki McIntyre and Whitney Klein had one apiece. McIntyre and Michaela King collaborated on five saves for the shutout in goal.
Three Hodgdon goalkeepers combined for 24 saves. The Hawks fell to 0-7 with the loss.
CA coach Stori Shaw has been impressed with her team’s ability to shake off a 1-4-1 start.
“We have been working hard and finally have gained some confidence,” said the first-year coach. “Our possession game and communication have improved and my seniors have continued to be outstanding leaders. I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team and their effort.”
Grew leads the team with eight goals and four assists through the first nine contests, while McIntyre, who is the new starting goalkeeper, is second in scoring with seven goals and an assist. Anthony and York have chipped in with five and four goals, respectively.
The Panthers have an important game against Fort Fairfield Thursday at 5 p.m. in Mars Hill and then are off until Oct. 7.
Presque Isle 17, Foxcroft Academy 0 – The Wildcats had no trouble picking up the road victory Saturday as 11 different players scored goals.
Shea Brown, Chandler Guerrette, Megan Ireland, Jordi Legassie, Elise Jones and Hannah Graham were the PI players with two goals apiece, while Abbie Carrier, Kate Patenaude, Karlee Bernier, Chelsea Nickerson and Katelyn McPherson all chipped in with single goals.
Guerrette, Graham and McPherson all had two assists for the 3-1-1 ‘Cats, while Emma Kinney, Kayla Richards, Ireland, Carrier and Nickerson notched one apiece. Presque Isle is in second place in EM Class B, just ahead of fellow PVC teams Ellsworth, Hermon and John Bapst.
PI’s next game is at home Saturday at 1 p.m. against Mount Desert Island.
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.
Ashland 2, Southern Aroostook 2 – The Hornets put an end to a six-game losing streak last Wednesday in Presque Isle thanks to a clutch head-in by Anna Paradis with 32 seconds left in regulation.
Kayla Cote assisted on the game-tying play. Ashland and SA played through two overtime periods without another goal being scored.
Paradis scored earlier in the game for the Hornets. Olivia Raymond and Karen Prescott were the goal scorers for the 2-0-2 Warriors.
Bellanceau of Ashland had 17 saves, while Mallory Lawlor of SA made 14. The Hornets and Warriors square off again this afternoon at Dyer Brook. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
NICOLE GIBERSON gets her head on the ball in a game against Ashland Monday evening. Fort Fairfield would win 1-0.
