By Sam Canfield, BDN Writer
The boys soccer season starts on Tuesday for high schools in Aroostook County — two weeks before the rest of Maine — to get games underway prior to the potato harvest in October.
While they may seem unassuming, County teams have shown they must be taken seriously in recent years. Presque Isle and Caribou won back-to-back Class B state championships in 2018 and 2019, Central Aroostook won Class D in 2019 and Fort Kent compiled four C North regional titles from 2017 to 2022.
Here are four teams from America’s Northeasternmost region who could make some impressive postseason runs this fall, ordered alphabetically.
Caribou (10-5-1 in 2023, Class B regional quarterfinalists)
After their run to the state final in 2019, the Vikings were forced to undergo a full rebuild. They emerged from the pandemic with a 0-12 record in 2021 and a 5-11 record in 2022, but turned the corner last year with a solid 10-5-1 showing, winning a preliminary game as the No. 6 seed.
Playing fast, physical soccer, Caribou likes to muscle the ball away from their opponents and disrupt their flow. With one more year to mature and develop their chemistry, the Vikings have the potential to make it back to the state championship game.
The Vikings will be led by their senior-laden defensive line in Damarion Gagnon, Dawson St. Pierre and Edison Sleeper, plus goalie Logan White. Gagnon and St. Pierre were Aroostook League All-stars last fall, as was junior midfielder Owen Corrigan.
Easton (14-2-2 in 2023, Class D state finalists)
The Easton Bears played true to their No. 1 seed in D North last fall, winning their first ever regional championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory over No. 3 Fort Fairfield.
A high school of less than 70 students, Easton ultimately fell 5-3 to Monmouth Academy in the state championship, but has the gumption to make another deep postseason run.
“We lost five seniors, but we were young aside from them and everyone gained valuable experience. We should be very competitive,” 16-year head coach Ryan Shaw said. “You drive by the school field, and there will be eight or nine guys playing — I don’t have to do a lot of motivating. We like to play quick defense, build from the back and keep the ball up.”
The Bears have finished with double-digit wins the past three seasons, and will be led by their two senior captains, Aroostook League All-star midfielder Chase Flewelling and elite defender Blake King.
Fort Fairfield (12-4-1 in 2023, Class D regional finalists)
The Tigers came up just short of winning D North last season, and ultimately graduated six of their starters. Fortunately for head coach John Ala, his roster is deep with 23 players ready to win.
“We may have to change our approach in some ways, but our younger players got a lot of experience and can step in,” Ala said. “They’re a great group of young men, and we’re looking forward to the competition. There are a lot of quality teams out there, and Class D is wide open.”
Fort Fairfield will be led by its sizable, skilled junior class, including Aroostook League All-star Cayden Ala, Graedon King and Ethan Walsh. The Tigers most recently won a state title in 2015.
Fort Kent (10-3-1 in 2023, Class C regional semifinalists)
With the University of Maine Fort Kent’s model soccer program in their backyard and head coach Kalusha Kotes (UMFK class of 2018) at the helm, the Warriors have dominated Class C North in recent years, winning four regional titles since 2017.
While Fort Kent has come up empty handed in the state championship game, the Warriors can never be counted out and are expected to win double-digit games each fall — they have accomplished this feat eight times in the last nine seasons.
“We have a few returning players this year that will use their experience to mold the new ones,” Kotes said.
The Warriors graduated a talented senior class last spring, and will be led by senior Aroostook League All-star Max Wegener, junior Will Morneault and sophomore Dom Cyr.
