Ashland middle school
girls soccer team
takes tourney title
ASHLAND — In his first year at the new Ashland District School, coach Mark Stanley and the Middle School Hornets took charge at the Houlton Regional Invitational Tournament Sept. 25. The Hornets won five of the six games played throughout the day.
The tournament began at 10:30 a.m. in Houlton and played well into the evening with a series of five, 25-minute games. The girls first played Central Aroostook, winning 3-1, with two goals scored by seventh grader Savanna Flint and another by sixth grader Hannah Stratton.
The second game saw Ashland face off against Fort Fairfield. The Hornets were victorious 2-0 as seventh graders Caitlin Paradis and Marissa Chasse scoring goals. The third game pitted Ashland against Katahdin, with the Hornets winning 2-0. Both goals were scored by sixth-grader Cassidy Pelletier.
The fourth game saw Ashland meet Hodgdon and the Hornets emerged victorious 1-0 as Chasse scored the lone goal on a long ball from midfield that bounced over the Hawks’ defense. The fifth game was played against Houlton, with Ashland falling 1-0.
Ashland goalie Laura Sturgeon, a seventh grader, allowed just two goals in the tournament.
“Going in the championship the girls were confident that their hard work and teamwork would prevail as they faced the only team to beat them all day for the trophy — Houlton,” said coach Stanley. “The girls managed to push through and take home the championship after Savannah Flint made an amazing shot with just a few minutes left in overtime.”
Had neither team score it would have come down to penalty kicks to determine the winner.
The championship marks the first trophy to be placed in the new school. Upon arriving back in Ashland the boys and girls were met by a motorcade honoring the hard work and effort they had shown throughout the day. The procession of fire trucks, police cars and ambulances made a victory lap around town at 9:30 p.m. complete with lights and 40 or so screaming children.
TOURNEY WINNERS — The Ashland Middle School Hornets brought home the championship trophy at the Houlton Regional Invitational soccer tournament Sept. 25. Celebrating are, front row, goalie Laura Sturgeon; second row from left, Chelsea Vallencourt, April Godsoe, Marissa Chasse, Ashley Robinson and Caitilin Paradis; and third row, Cassie Bolsteridge, Ramsey Paradis, Jessica Day, Dakota Mullen, LeAnn McNally and Lacey Good; and back row, Brittany Harris, Coach Mark Stanley, Sophie Theriault, Hannah Stratton, Savanah Flint, Cassidy Pelletier and P. Lucas Craig.
