Soccer season concludes for Grasshoppers

The Grasshoppers, Aroostook County's Special Olympics soccer team, completed its season Wednesday, Sept. 20. Team members are, in front from left, Cassandra Byrd, Jamie Kemper, Paul Doucette, Lisa Jones, Justin Gauvin, Rachel Short and Hillary Griffin. Second row, assistant coach Sydney Thompson, Tabitha Shaw, Travis Caron, Dave Blakely, Rebecca Taylor, Jamie Taylor, Dan Goseline, Patrick MacDougal and Kent Stevens. Third row, assistant coach Allen Deeves, Kevin Bolton, Arthur Drury, Richard Wilcox, assistant coach Brian Hamel, Mary Ann Swank, Branwen Castaway-Baker, Kyle Cyr, LaJeanna Miller, Robert Little and head coach Carl Michaud. Back row, Jesse Hatcher and assistant coach Jared Duggan. Absent when photo was taken were Steve Michaud and assistant coach Kim Guerrette Michaud. (Contributed photo/Kim Guerrette Michaud)

The Grasshoppers, the Aroostook County Special Olympics soccer team, completed its second season on Wednesday, Sept. 20, with a match against the Presque Isle varsity boys played at the Johnson Athletic Complex at the Presque Isle Middle School.

The Grasshoppers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and went on to beat the Wildcats, 17-9.

It was the second match of the season for the Grasshoppers, who played to an 8-8 tie with the Presque Isle varsity girls on Sept. 6.

“It was a great season with 25 athletes participating,” said Grasshoppers coach Carl Michaud. “We had eight team practices and the two games, and our athletes worked hard on many skills, including passing, shooting, dribbling and of course being a great teammate to others.

“The games were certainly the highlight of the year and many thanks to SAD 1 Athletic Administrator Mark White and to the coaching staffs and the players,” Michaud added.