Caribou’s Alex Ezzy dribbles away from the Wildcat defense during Thursday’s match at the Johnson Athletic Complex in Presque Isle. (Courtesy of Dave Allen Graphics)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — It’s not a team that’s going to bowl you over offensively, but when the Presque Isle boys’ varsity soccer team does score, often times the goals are the result of set plays.
The Wildcats displayed that propensity Thursday by scoring all their goals off corner kicks in a tidy 3-0 victory over rival Caribou at the Johnson Athletic Complex.
Presque Isle now has a 9-2-1 record despite scoring only 30 goals on the season and only once have the Wildcats scored more than three goals in a match. When they do score, free kicks, throw-ins and corner kicks are often involved and the success rate has been high.
“It’s definitely been one of our strengths all season,” said junior sweeper back Jonah Hudson, who broke a scoreless tie with a goal that came with 9:25 left in the first half. “On corner kicks, Coach (Joe Greaves) puts all the tough guys in the 18 and we all get after it, run through it and hope to shove it into the back of the net.”
Fellow back R. J. Gross had the other two goals, both in the second half. The first came at the 36:06 mark and his second with 4:18 to play.
The Wildcats’ Cameron Lahey, right, tries to take the ball away from the Vikings’ Nic Sleeper during Thursday’s match played in Presque Isle. (Courtesy of Dave Allen Graphics)
Randon Mortland took all three corner kicks and recorded the assists. Presque Isle attempted 12 corners on the evening, compared to none by the Vikes.
“We’ve struggled in the air all year long and we aren’t committed to winning those balls,” said Caribou coach Scott Hunter. “When Presque Isle puts the pressure on and gets the corner kicks, sooner or later one is going to break through and we gave up three. That’s unacceptable as far as our effort in the air.”
On the other end of the field, the Wildcats continued their stellar defensive play by allowing very few opportunities by the Vikes. Presque Isle goalkeeper Jason Dumais had to make just four saves in picking up the team’s fifth shutout and the second of the season over Caribou.
The Vikes’ best chance came 10 minutes into the second half when Nic Sleeper was clear and took a hard shot toward the right post from 25 yards out that Dumais made a sprawling save on.
“We want to keep the ball on the ground, play quick and play to feet, and when we do that things open up,” Hunter said. “When we get sucked in to play Presque Isle’s game, they are stronger, a little more veteran and play well out of the air and they took advantage of that.”
Wildcat freshman Gage LeTourneau, left, attempts to cut off Caribou’s Parker Deprey during Thursday’s varsity soccer match played in Presque Isle. (Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics)
Noah Hixon collected five saves on 14 shots in goal for the Vikes.
Caribou is 5-7 with home games remaining against Old Town Saturday and Fort Kent Monday. The Vikes are in 11th place in Class B North, with the top 14 advancing to the postseason.
Presque Isle is currently in fourth and plays John Bapst at home Saturday. The Wildcats then are on the road to take on Brewer Monday. The team has won seven consecutive games, with four coming on shutouts.
“Our confidence is sky high right now and hopefully we can keep it going into the playoffs,” Hudson said.
