With only a few games left to go before the postseason, a mad scramble to move up in the standings is taking place for high school girls’ soccer teams. The final countable day for the regular season is Tuesday, Oct. 18, with preliminary playoffs following Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22.
Despite suffering the team’s first loss of the season Monday – a 3-1 defeat to Madawaska – the Shires are still ranked as one of the top teams in the Class C North region. According to the Maine Principals’ Association Heal Point Standings as of Tuesday morning, Houlton (10-1-1, 99.1837 Heal Points) is second in Class C North. Orono (8-1-2, 108.4184) is the top-ranked team in the region. The top five teams earn a first round bye. Houlton will likely host a quarterfinal on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
In Class D North, Katahdin (5-4-3, 63.6990) is fourth; Hodgdon (8-3-1, 61.9541) is fifth; Southern Aroostook (5-4-3, 46.0714) is eighth; and East Grand (3-9, 18.2143) is 13th. The top 12 teams qualify for the playoffs, so East Grand will need to secure at least a couple of more wins to get back into contention.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday afternoon that were reported to the newspaper.
Madawaska 3, Houlton 1 — At home Monday afternoon, the Shires suffered their first loss of the year. Madawaska’s Gabby Cyr scored two second-half goals to lead the Owls to the victory. Hannah Nadeau scored what turned out to be the game-winner with 10:04 left in the second half. Brianna Thibeault and Jenna Dugal added assists.
Kolleen Bouchard scored Houlton’s goal in the first half. Tessa Solomon and Hannah Foley combined to make four saves on eight shots. Desiree Belanger made four saves on six shots for the Owls.
Southern Aroostook 4, Woodland 0 — At Woodland, Friday, Kylie Vining, Makaelyn Porter, Danielle Libby and Merisa Thibodeau each had solo goals to lead Southern Aroostook past Woodland.
Sydney Brewer saved 10 of 13 shots for the 5-4-3 Warriors. Sadie Smith saved 19 of 25 shots for Woodland.
Hodgdon 2, Shead 1 — At Eastport Friday, Hodgdon’s Jill Gough and Sydney Howell each booted in second-half goals to lift the Hawks past the Tigers. Kiesha Scott scored for Shead.
Houlton 3, Fort Kent 0 — At Fort Kent Friday, Kolleen Bouchard, Mia Hanning and Amelia Ivey each had a goal as Houlton bested the Warriors. Bouchard added an assist for the Shiretowners.
Tessa Soloman saved all 12 shots she faced for the Shires. Morgan Roy had 12 saves on 20 shots for Fort Kent.
Houlton 4, Lee Academy/Stearns 1 — At Lee Thursday, Bouchard scored two goals to lead Houlton past Lee/Stearns. Aspen Flewelling and Tyra Gentle also added solo goals for the Shiretowners. Emma Alley had the only goal for Lee/Stearns.
Houlton’s Tessa Soloman made 19 saves on 22 shots, while Kenzie Carter and Harley Lee combined for 11 saves on 17 shots for Lee/Stearns.
Schenck 0, Katahdin 0 — At Stacyville Thursday, neither team was able to crease the net through regulation or two overtime periods, resulting in the scoreless tie. Natalie Richards had seven saves on 10 shots for Katahdin, while Allison Noddin saved 13 of 18 shots for Schenck.
East Grand 1, Southern Aroostook 7 — At Dyer Brook Oct. 5, Katie Stevens and Vining each notched hat tricks to spark Southern Aroostook over East Grand of Danforth. Emma Nadeau added a goal, while Stevens added an assist for the Warriors.
Brewer had 12 saves on 15 shots. Jordyn Cowger and Kianna Caisse combined for 18 saves on 45 shots for East Grand.
Southern Aroostook 1, Hodgdon 1 — At Hodgdon Oct. 4, the two teams battled to a 1-1 stalemate after two overtime periods. Taylor Desrosiers gave Hodgdon a 1-0 lead, but Katie Stevens answered for the Warriors shortly after.
Hodgdon’s Jessica Drew had 12 saves on 19 shots, while Sydney Brewer had 22 saves on 31 shots.
Schenck 0, Houlton 6 — At Houlton Oct. 4, Bouchard scored two first-half goals and added another in the second half for the hat trick to lead the Shiretowners. Mia Hanning added a goal and an assist, while Lexi Miller and Claire Gilpatrick added second half goals and Flewelling had an assist.
Tessa Solomon and Hannah Foley combined to register two saves on three shots for the Shires. Allison Noddin made five saves on 16 shots for the Wolverines.
