It was a season to remember for many high school soccer fans and several local athletes received recognition for their efforts on the soccer pitch from the Maine Soccer Coaches Association, as well as All-Aroostook and Penobscot Valley Conference.
The Houlton boys and girls soccer squads had impressive campaigns, and while the Shires fell short of their goals of reaching the regional championship, they have much to be proud of. The Houlton boys finished with an 8-4-2 regular season record, which was good enough for the No. 6 seed. Houlton hosted a preliminary playoff game with No. 11 Bucksport, beating the Golden Bucks 1-0. In the quarterfinals, the Shires fell to No. 3 Central of Corinth, 4-0.
The Houlton girls had a sensational season, finishing with a 12-1-1 record which earned them the No. 2 seed in Class C North. The team received a first-round bye before beating No. 7 Mattanawcook Academy 4-0 in the quarterfinals. The Shires were tripped up by No. 6 Bucksport in the semifinals, 1-0.
The final regular season records for boys soccer squads in Class D North were: Hodgdon, 6-8; Southern Aroostook, 6-7-1; Katahdin, 1-13 and East Grand, 1-13.
The final regular season records for girls soccer squads in Class D North were: Hodgdon, 9-5; Southern Aroostook, 7-5-2; Katahdin, 5-8-1; and East Grand 2-10-2.
For the boys, Hodgdon was the No. 14 seed and fell to No. 3 Ashland in a preliminary playoff. Southern Aroostook was the No. 10 seed and lost to No. 7 Washburn 2-1 in the prelims. Katahdin and East Grand did not qualify for the postseason.
For the girls, Hodgdon was the No. 7 seed and hosted No. 10 Schenck in a prelim, but the Hawks fell 2-0. Southern Aroostook was the No. 8 seed and lost to No. 9 Wisdom 2-1 in overtime. Katahdin was the No. 11 seed and lost to No. 6 Central Aroostook, 2-0.
In boys’ soccer, Houlton’s Connor Grant (forward) was named to the Northern Maine Class C all-stars for the Maine Soccer Coaches Association, while Houlton seniors Katie Condon (midfield), Natalie Hill (forward) and Chelsea Gentle (backfield) were named to the girls’ squad for Class C.
Named to the Penobscot Valley Conference All-Academic Team for soccer in 2015 were: Houlton’s Evelyn Pratt, Chelsea Gentle, Kelly McLaughlin and Megan Collett for the girls and Houlton’s Nathan Bouchard, Connor Grant, Sam Astle and Isaiah Littleton for the boys.
The Aroostook League has developed an awards program for its member schools to honor athletes as “All-Aroostook” for their accomplishments. All-Aroostook soccer players are selected by a vote of the coaches, while golf and cross country honorees are selected by criteria established by the league. Athletes chosen receive a certificate for their accomplishments.
Receiving cross-country All-Aroostook accolades were Wesley Ganglfinger, Cole Winslow and Grace Graham of Greater Houlton Christian Academy and Isaiah Brown, Victoria Holmes, Rylee Warman and Olivia Winslow, all of Houlton.
For golf, Hodgdon’s Dana Brown, Lexi Emerson, Ben Tuttle and Justin Wilson, along with Houlton’s Parker Brewer, Ryan Dee, Wyatt Harvey, Drew Marino and Duncan McCormack were honored.
For boys’ soccer, East Grand’s Philip Farley; Houlton’s Grant, Isaiha Littleton and Jacob Worthley; Hodgdon’s Jimmy Buzzell and Wyatt Foster; Katahdin’s Tyson Porter; and Southern Aroostook’s Nolan Altvater, Jackson Mathers and Josh Perrin were all selected.
For girls’ soccer, East Grand’s Haleigh Shay and Kim Stoddard; Hodgdon’s Taylor Desrosier and Jill Gough; Katahdin’s Georgia Landry, Courtney Stevens and Sophie Vetter; and Southern Aroostook’s Lilly Leavitt and Kassidy Mathers were honored.