Staff Writer
The Katahdin varsity boys soccer team is looking to rebound from last year’s slow season.
“We are looking to bounce back and improve on what was [once] an inexperienced and young team,” said Katahdin coach Matt Lindsay.
A year ago, the Cougars lacked scorers, but Lindsay is expecting a couple of his returning players to step up and “have a big year on the scoring end of things,” he said.
Lindsay will be looking to Shey Lane, Forrest Heath and Nick Randall to pick up the offensive pace for the Cougars.
“As far as my seniors, I have picked up three new players to the team,” he said.
Bill Livezey will playing front line and “hopefully scoring lots of goals and creating a lot of plays,” said Lindsay. Jordan Russell will play defense and fill in for those seniors who graduated last season, while Matt Birmingham will help out at midfield and act as the backup goalie behind “a very talented,” Cody Brownlee, added Lindsay.
Other seniors looking to contribute are Lucas Anderson, Sam Vetter and Maverick Elwell, who will be rounding out the midfield and defense, along with junior Joel Birmingham at sweeper. Freshmen who will be in the starting rotation are Tyson Porter and Nick Lane.
“As long as the rest of the freshmen continue to improve, they will also be seeing more and more playing time as the season progresses,” added Lindsay.
Playing for the Cougars this season are: seniors, Livezey, Anderson, Vetter, Russell, Elwell and M. Birmingham; juniors, Joel Birmingham, Heath and Randall; sophomores, S. Lane, Alex Lane
Tristin Clippinger and Brownlee; and freshmen N. Lane, Porter, Riley Somers, Nick Ryan, Bradley Mitchell, Daniel Moody-Kay and David Raymond.
“Our team goals for the season include playing with intensity, playing a controlled and patient game that will hopefully see us returning to the playoffs this season,” Lindsay said.
On Monday, the Cougars were dealt a 10-1 loss by Bangor Christian.
The Patriots improve to 2-0, while the Cougars fall to 0-3.
Livezey scored for Katahdin, while Brownlee and Alex Lane combined in goal to set back 16 of 38 shots faced. The Cougars put seven shots on goal.
In a local match up, Hodgdon/GHCA defeated host Katahdin, 4-2, last Friday in Stacyville.
Hodgdon/GHCA scoring came from four individuals, Tyler Barton, Jonah Sarchfield, Brandon Malone and Jimmy Buzzell. Goalie Tristan Larson blocked six of 10 shots faced.
For Katahdin, S. Lane and Livezey provided their goals, while keeper Brownlee stopped eight of 15 shots.
Last Tuesday in Hodgdon, Hodgdon/GHCA’s Josh Hudson was one goal better than Central Aroostook’s Dustin Pryor.
Hudson struck for three second-half goals to support goalie Tristan Larson, while Pryor put up two to back keeper Darrin Murray.
Last Saturday in Danforth, the Easton Bears edged the Vikings, 3-1, by scoring all unassisted tallies from three separate players.
East Grand’s goal was scored by Alex Stoddard on a set up by Kenneth Winiarski. East Grand goalie Alex Brittain had 14 saves on 19 shots, while Easton’s keeper, Jared Hafford, stopped eight of 12 shots.
Easton improved to 5-5 and East Grand dropped to 0-3.
Last Thursday, the Vikings were overpowered 6-1 by the Woodland Dragons in Baileyville.
Neil Noble scored an unassisted goal for East Grand. Keeper Brittain had 12 stops on 22 shots, while Woodland goalie J.J. Ruane had 17 stops on 21 shots.
Woodland improved to 2-0 with the win, while East Grand picked up its second loss.
