HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton boys and girls soccer teams have enjoyed tremendous early success on the field this fall.
The Houlton boys, under the guidance of Brian Barton, are 2-1-1 on the season following a Sept. 18 double overtime 1-1 tie with Orono, while the Houlton girls are 3-0 with first-year coach Marina Cameron after beating Orono 4-0, also on Sept. 18.
Although it is early in the season, both coaches appear to have talent-laden squads that could make a strong postseason push.
Houlton goalie Drew Foley makes a leaping swat at the ball during a Sept. 18 game against Orono. Looking on is Shire Eli Bulley.
(Joseph Cyr)
For Cameron, a former three-sport athlete at Houlton, coaching the girls team has been a dream come true.
“I am very thankful to have this opportunity and to step into a well-developed program,” Cameron said. “Last year I coached the JV team and assisted (Tim) Tweedie with the varsity team. I played for him and learned from one of the best. Coach Tweedie and I still talk soccer often, and he is always willing to help out whether it be just bouncing ideas around or helping at a practice and I am really thankful for that.”
Houlton’s Jadon Gentle, top, tries to avoid a collision with Orono goalie Javier Alicea-Santiago during a Sept. 18 game in Houlton.
(Joseph Cyr)
The Shire girls are once again one of the more talented teams in Class C North. Houlton finished 12-2-2 last season, falling to eventual state champ Fort Kent 1-0 in the semifinals. The team lost the services of two key players — midfielder Jamie Brown and goalie Tessa Solomon — to graduation.
“This is truly such a great group of girls and that in itself is a team strength,” coach Cameron said. “They all get along well and that leads to our communication on the field being strong. We have a strong defense and they don’t always get the credit that deserve because they are not scoring goals. They are fast, physical, and rotate well. We have many girls that are capable of scoring double digit goals this season, and that is what we want and need. When we play our soccer and move the ball well and connect passes it is fun to watch and will lead to having a successful season.”
Shire Breanne Barton, right, runs stride for stride with Orono’s Mackenna Stiehl during a Sept. 18 game.
(Joseph Cyr)
Members of the 2019 Shire girls squad are seniors Elizabeth Phillips (defense), Sierra Hoops (midfield), Amelia Ivey (defender), Grace Johnson (defender), Samantha Condon (defender), Sydney Lorom (midfield), Madison Grant (defender) and Abbie Worthley (goalie); juniors Emma Ardell (midfield) and Rebecca Howe (midfield); sophomores Eden Davis (forward), Samantha Johnson (forward), Isabella Ardella (midfield), Elena Ardell (midfield), Olivia Henderson (midfield), Mia Henderson (sophomore) and Breanne Barton (forward); and freshmen Lydia Byron (midfield), Madison Marino (forward), Natalie DeLucca (defender), Emma Swallow (defender) and Teadora Wilde (forward/goalie).
“We have a big roster this season with 22 girls, many of which who will play some big minutes throughout the season,” Cameron said. “We are returning nine starters, so we are lucky in that aspect. We were struggling to find a keeper throughout the summer and I did a lot of thinking as to who could step into this position.”
Houlton’s Maddie Marino, center, races after the ball between Orono defenders Mackenna Stiehl, left, and Leah Ruck during a Sept. 18 game in Houlton.
(Joseph Cyr)
Worthley stepped up to the challenge this summer and worked closely with another former Shire, Katie Condon, who is now the junior varsity coach. “I am very impressed with her natural skills in the net,” the coach said.
The team’s top two scorers last season — Barton and Samantha Johnson — were both freshmen, which bodes well for the Shires. “I expect even more from them this season,” Cameron said. “Bre had 14 goals last season, while Sam had 11.”
Hoops added nine goals, while Olivia Henderson had six. As a team, the Shires outscored opponents 62-15.
“I have been so impressed with these girls work ethic,” coach Cameron said. “They take constructive criticism well and are always willing to put the work in. There is always room to improve. That is how our team thinks. We can have the best game of the season and we are still able to talk about something that needs work and build from there.”
The Houlton boys have a much smaller roster this season, but it too is loaded with talent. The Shires finished 10-3-1 and third in Class C North. Houlton beat Central 1-0 in the quarterfinals, but fell 3-1 at Orono in the semifinals.
The Shire roster includes seniors Thomas Astle, Parker Brewer, Eli Bulley, Cameron Callnan, Nathan DeLucca, Jaron Gentle and Keegan Gentle; juniors Joel Carmichael and Drew Foley; sophomores Isaiah Gentle and Jadon Gentle; and freshmen Matthew Conley, Jed Gilpatrick and Cody Johnston.
Emma Ardell, left, of Houlton and Maggie Coutts of Orono go after the ball during a Sept. 18 girls soccer game in Houlton. The Shires won 4-0.
(Joseph Cyr)
