HOULTON, Maine — Ultimate Houlton hosted its third annual Houlton Ultimate Summer League (HUSL) championship tournament this past Sunday.
The league comprised of 40 members from the greater Aroostook area host two semifinal games and the championship game at Community Park’s Baseball field outfield. Teams this year were sponsored by local area business that included McDonald’s (McD), Bond Family Mercantile (BFM), WHOU 100.1 FM (WHOU), and County Physical Therapy (CPT).
The regular HUSL season lasted six weeks from the end of June through July and capped of with this past Sunday’s ultimate championship.
The first matchup of the evening saw the No. 2 seed BFM take on No. 3 WHOU. There was plenty of high flying action as the young BFM team lead by senior captain Seth Bond was able to come down with the disc several times and set his team up in scoring position.
WHOU responded with solid defensive plays coming out of handlers Brad Burlock and Dustin Hines. Hines and Burlock would continue to provide much of the offense for WHOU combining for seven of their nine goals.
Also contributing were Joe Silliboy and Emma hines to WHOU’s scoring efforts. The story on BFM side really came down to their ability to spread their offense around. Five of their players were able to find the endzone which really made WHOU stay on their toes the entire game. Emily Mooers lead all scorers in the game with a total of six touchdown receptions.
Justin Fereshetian, front, of McDonalds waits for the disc to arrive as Noah Holmes of Bond Family Mercantile tries to defend during Sunday night’s title game of the Houlton Ultimate Summer League frisbee championships. PT-SP-Frisbee action-dc2-32 LUNGE — Emily Mooers, left, of Bond Family Mercantile tries to reign in the disc over the outstretched arms of LeeAnn Fereshetian.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
Others scoring for BFM were Noah Holmes, Isaiah Brown, Victoria Holmes, and Ben Grant. A solid performance in the BFM back field out of handlers Seth Bond, Connor Grant, and Shiloh Bond allowed for the disc to be moved very swiftly up and the field. Emerson Wright, Tyler Rowe, and Julia Lunn all played valuable minutes for WHOU, but in the end their efforts would come up short as BFM ran away with the 13-9 victory.
The second semifinal pitted No. 1 McD versus No. 2 CPT. After an exciting first semifinal the second semifinal had much to live up to and did not disappoint. McD kept CPT at bay through well organized play and very methodical decision making.
Captain Justin Fereshetian led several marches down to the field that would eventually turn into scoring opportunities for McD. Scoring goals for McD would include Fereshetian, LeAnn Fereshetian, Saul Nunez, Joel Bond, and Kurt Whisler. Also providing a strong on field presence was the league’s youngest player, Jesse Bond and father Chris Bond.
CPTs offense was lead by a pair of goals out of captain Chris Rines and Tre Whitney. Also chipping in for CPT would be AJ Edgecomb, and TIm Glatter. Houlton native Lucas Anderson forced four turnovers and assisted on four of CPT’s goals.
Nathan Bouchard and Madelene Anderson also provided strong performances throughout the game, making several important catches and really setting up CPT with great field position. McD second half defensive pressure got the better of CPT as they claimed a 13-6 victory.
Championship Game
“The championship game showcased the best of the best in a back and forth contest that exemplified what Ultimate is all about,” said Rines, one of the league organizers. “Friendly high level competitive play reinforced with the spirit of the game back bone that makes Ultimate an extra special sport to play.”
BFM struck first and for the next 11 points it was a back and forth affair between the two squads. At the break point, BFM was finally able to capitalize on a turnover and go up 7-5 to win the half. After the break, McD was quick to score, but BFM answered. BFM maintained a two point lead until about midway of the second half when McD’s went on a four-point run that BFM could not recover from.
“McD used their experience and organization over the younger, quicker, more explosive BFM team and prevent them from scoring,” Rines said.
McDonalds claimed the crown of the 2015 HUSL with a 13-10 victory.
Scoring for McD were: Whisler 4, Nunez 4, L. Fereshetian 3, Joel Bond, and J. Fereshetian.
Scoring for BFM were: N. Holmes 4, Shiloh Bond 2, C. Grant, V. Holmes, E. Mooers, and Brown.
A replay of the event can be found on WHOU https://whoufm.com/join-us-for-the-husl-championship/. And for more information on the league, visit https://www.facebook.com/ultimatehoulton.
