The Fort Fairfield boys’ and girls’ soccer teams come in well rested heading into their home quarterfinal matches and their success during the regular season is the reason.
The Tiger boys are No. 1 in Class D, while the girls are No. 4 as both avoided having to play in the preliminary round to go straight through to their quarterfinal contests.
Both squads had a week off to allow injuries to heal and rest up entering post-season play. The Tigers last played Oct. 20 in Washburn.
The Fort Fairfield boys finished their season with a 13-0-1 mark. The lone tie came late in the season at No. 3 Ashland. Balanced solid play throughout the starting lineup and off the bench has sparked coach John Ala’s squad throughout the fall.
The Tigers meet up against No. 9 Machias today at 2:30 p.m. in Fort Fairfield. The Bulldogs pulled off a minor upset over Deer Isle-Stonington in their prelim.
“Going into playoffs we need to continue to move the ball and get everyone on the field touches,” Ala said. “We’ve had a number of different players score for us this year and that’s because our guys have played unselfish, team-first soccer. Defensively we must work to stay organized by communicating and defending as a unit.
“The biggest key to our success this season has been how hard guys have played for each other,” he added. “Everyone has stepped up at one point or another to make a big play.”
Junior center midfielder Ryan Player, who transferred back to the area after spending his sophomore year in Colorado, is one of the top all-around players in Aroostook County. The team is also bolstered by having a talented goalkeeper in senior Dalton Cassidy.
The Tiger girls went 12-2 during the season under second-year coach Tom Towle, with the only losses coming at the hands of No. 1 and undefeated Ashland. The fourth-seeded FF team was challenged very few times in their wins and are experienced and led by seven seniors — forwards Taylor Churchill, Chelsea Pelkey and Morgann Towle, midfielder Alexis Coiley, defenders Autumn Parady and Kayla Giberson and goalkeeper Sarah Watt.
The Tigers hosted No. 5 Shead Tuesday afternoon, with the winner moving on to the semifinals to most likely play Ashland.
The Limestone-MSSM boys were beaten, 3-2, by Piscataquis Community in Saturday’s preliminary game. The No. 7 Pirates broke out to a three-goal lead in the first half and held off a late comeback by the host Eagles.
Bryce Gilbert scored twice to help give PCHS the early lead, but R. Tyler Simmons netted one with eight seconds left before halftime to provide the hosts with some momentum heading into the second half.
Midway through the second, Ahmen Beshir found Tobyn Blatt in front of the goal for a score to bring Limestone-MSSM back to within a goal, but the Eagles were held scoreless the rest of the way.
“We controlled most of the match, but we had some breakdowns which unfortunately cost us,” said Limestone-MSSM coach Jon Hamilton. “They were an aggressive team and capitalized on our mistakes.”
The Washburn boys, No. 7 in Class D, was able to move on in the playoffs after coming from behind to stop Southern Aroostook, 4-1, at Washburn Friday.
The Beavers trailed 1-0 before Noah Caron tied it with a penalty kick and Justin Davis knocked in a goal late in the first half that proved to be the game-winner. Caron and Kevin Jordan collected second-half insurance goals as Washburn improved to 9-5-1 and earned the right to play No. 2 Bangor Christian in Hampden this afternoon at 3 p.m.
