Thirteen local teams are preparing to play quarterfinal soccer games Tuesday. Originally, only the girls’ games were to be played, but expected rainy weather forecast for Wednesday forced three of the boys’ games to be moved up a day.
Previews of the 10 Tuesday matches follow:
Central Aroostook’s Colby Kingsbury prepares to leap into the air to head the ball during a soccer game Oct. 13 in Hodgdon. The Panthers are ranked second in Class D North and host MSSM Tuesday at 1 p.m. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)
No. 7 MSSM boys (7-2) at No. 2 Central Aroostook (13-1), 1 p.m. — The two Aroostook County teams do not play each other during the regular season, but this Class D North matchup is intriguing as it features two of only four teams in the division with two losses or less.
MSSM plays an abbreviated eight-game regular season schedule, but the Penguins had a terrific campaign in their first year as an independent varsity program. After opening with a loss at East Grand, the team’s only other defeat came to Fort Kent, the No. 1 team in Class C North. Tobyn Blatt is the offensive star for MSSM, having scored 20 goals so far.
The Panthers have been at or near the top of the standings throughout the season. Under Wallace Endy, who is in year No. 1 of his second stint as the team’s head coach, CA has featured a high-scoring attack and the team’s only loss came at home to Fort Fairfield (ranked fourth) late in the year. The Panthers beat the Tigers earlier in the campaign.
Hunter Wardwell is the top scorer among numerous offensive weapons and Colby Kingsbury is a talented veteran defender. Luke Kearney and Caleb Harris are other keys who play in the center of the field. Ben Thomas is a playmaker as a midfielder and Brayden Bradbury has had a tremendous season as the starting goalkeeper.
“They are a quick and well-skilled team, but the matchup will be interesting and anything can happen,” MSSM coach Jon Hamilton said. “I think it will be a hard-fought fight throughout.”
No. 12 Ashland boys (7-6-2) at No. 4 Fort Fairfield (12-3), 1 p.m. — The Class D Hornets come in playing their best soccer of the season. They were giant killers late in the season, tying Fort Kent, the No. 1 team in Class C, on Oct. 13 and beating fifth-ranked Jonesport-Beals in the prelim round.
Coach Trevor Hews said another difficult test awaits in the Tigers, who are the 2015 state champions and were Eastern Maine runners-up last year. Ashland failed to score on Fort Fairfield in the two regular season meetings, losing by scores of 5-0 and 2-0.
“We need to play our best game of the year,” Hews said. “We need to be aggressive and be there to challenge and pressure their players so that they aren’t as comfortable with the ball.”
“We are confident in ourselves and our late-season success, but we know Fort Fairfield is going to be a very challenging opponent,” Hews said, “but our guys are ready for it.”
The Hornets, 7-3-2 over their final 12 games after an 0-3 start, are a defensive-minded team led by goalkeeper Steven Bellanceau. Dylan Haley is the top goal scorer, but the offense is balanced.
“Ashland plays hard and have peaked at the right time so it should be a good contest,” said Fort Fairfield coach John Ala.
The Tigers lost just three games all season, twice to Fort Kent and once to Central Aroostook. Fort Fairfield has a roster full of seniors, with eight in the starting lineup. Two that are new to the team, Limestone transfer Alex Sprague and Italian exchange student Lorenza Viano, have made an immediate impact. Junior Jonah Daigle is another top talent and veteran from the state championship squad.
There were some major lineup changes due to some heavy graduation losses, but Ala said the team has responded.
“We knew it was going to take some time to get players comfortable with new roles,” Ala said. “Our three losses were all games we were in until the end and we have been able to take pieces of those losses and work on different skill sets to make us a more dangerous team.”
Against Ashland, Ala said his team will need to come out and be organized defensively from the start.
“Spreading the field and being patient offensively will also be key,” Ala added.
No. 6 Bangor Christian girls (9-5-1) at No. 3 Southern Aroostook (12-2), 1:30 p.m. — Hosting the Patriots of Bangor Christian in an early Class D game Tuesday, Southern Aroostook girls soccer coach Holly Vining said her team was excited for the playoffs to finally arrive.
“The girls are really excited,” she said. “Playoffs always bring about nervous energy, so there is plenty of that to go around. They have been in many playoff situations between soccer, basketball, and softball, so they at least know what to expect.”
Southern Aroostook outscored its opposition 51-12 on the season, recording back-to-back shutouts to end the year on a high note. In the Warriors final six games, the team allowed just two goals.
The Warriors of Dyer Brook did not face Bangor Christian during the regular season, so there is a bit of the unknown factor in Tuesday’s quarterfinal for both teams. Coach Vining said she did her best to scout the Patriots ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“Bangor Christian has a very skilled center half,” she said. “She is probably one of the more skilled I have seen in Class D in terms of footwork. She makes a lot happen for them. We will have to play her tough, win the midfield battle, and make sure our defense is on point. It’s hard to predict how many quality scoring opportunities we will get; it will be extremely important to finish on the ones we do have.”
In order to be successful, the Warriors will have to play with “desire, discipline and focus,” the coach said. “Winning the ball in the midfield will be critical,” Vining added. “Taking advantage of any high pressing opportunities, aggressively attacking the next, and just playing solid defensively, which the girls have done a tremendous job of this year. It will be important not to panic and to make good decisions. We play much better when we can settle and pass. Throughout the season, the girls have displayed a tremendous amount of guts and courage in pulling off some big wins. Can’t really ask for more than that.”
Southern Aroostook should be at full strength for Tuesday’s game, as several players are finally getting over a nagging cold that has plagued the team of late.
No. 9 Washburn girls (8-5-2) at No. 1 Penobscot Valley (12-2), 2:30 p.m. — The Beavers will have their work cut out for them when they take on the top-ranked team in Class D North, PVHS, in Howland.
“They have quickness in their midfield that we will have to make sure we are marking up well,” said veteran Washburn coach Marcie Barbarula. “We have to come out in the first half being aggressive and winning any 50-50 ball. Communication with one another will be a huge key.”
The Beavers, who beat No. 8 Wisdom on the road Friday in the prelim round, rely heavily on junior midfielder Kassandra Farley and freshman striker Madison Miller, who score most of the team’s goals. Barbarula likes the way her young team is playing late in the season.
“We have determination and confidence and are jelling very well as a team,” Barbarula said.
No. 8 Hodgdon boys (9-4-2) at No. 1 Bangor Christian (12-2), 2:30 p.m. — The Hodgdon boys will have the tall task of trying to topple the top-ranked Patriots of Bangor Christian. Bangor Christian has notched seven shutouts on the season and outscored the opposition 46-9 on the year.
“We know that BC is a very strong team with lots of senior leadership,” Hodgdon coach Jason Little said. “They have had a strong team for several years and have a proven track record of success.”
In order to combat such a strong opponent, Little said his squad will attempt to play a more defensive game. “We plan to use our same attack as other games,” he said. “That means stack the box with our defense, move the ball well, and take our shots downfield when we get a chance.”
The coach added his team was excited about the opportunity to play on the field of Husson University, which has an artificial turf surface. “In order to get a win, we know we can’t make many mistakes against this team and we have to push the ball to have them make mistakes,” he said. “We have to make sure we don’t have gaps in our spacing on the field and adjust to playing on the artificial turf.”
Starting goalie, Michael Sanders, was injured in the preliminary round, but is good to go today, the coach said. However, the Hawks will likely move him out into the field and put Josh Foster in goal, giving the team a more defensive approach to the game.
If the game happens to come down to penalty kicks, the coach said he was confident in his squad. “Josh is strong at stopping them in the goal and our group of upperclassmen that we would send out know where to place the ball.,” he said.
No. 9 Hermon girls (11-3-1) at No. 1 Caribou (13-1), 3 p.m. — The Vikings are at the top of the Class B standings for the first time since 2010, when they advanced to the state championship game. Coach Todd Albert is hoping for another lengthy playoff run, but knows it won’t come easy.
“Class B North is tough and there are a lot of teams capable of winning, so we can’t take anything for granted,” Albert said.
Caribou first has to face one of the top programs in Class B over the past five years in the Hermon Hawks, who shut out Mt. View in the prelim round. The Vikes own a 7-2 win over the Hawks, played in Hermon Sept. 30, but the Hawks have won five of six since.
“We played really well down there, but they have some good players and are a tough opponent,” Albert said.
The Vikings’ only loss came at Presque Isle two weeks ago, but they have featured a high-scoring attack throughout the season. Senior Searra Herbert leads the team in goals, but classmates Ashley Matlock, Gabrielle Marquis and Hope Shea are other capable scorers. Seniors Danielle Hanson and Meagan Dube are top defenders and senior Jaelynn Doody is the starting goalie, while freshman Sage Dubay has seen plenty of action.
“I feel we have a good balance of possession soccer and sending the through ball to attack,” Albert said, “and the girls play as a team and are unselfish.”
Hermon is led by Alex Allain, who is her school’s all-time leading goal scorer.
No. 10 Katahdin girls (5-9-1) at No. 2 Ashland (13-1), 4 p.m. — The Hornets begin their playoff road against the Cougars, who they beat twice during the regular season by the lopsided scores of 12-0 and 11-0.
Ashland is the defending Class D state champion. The team has had another brilliant season, with the only loss coming on the road to No. 3 Southern Aroostook, despite being without the school’s career leader in goals, senior Mackenzie Carter, who missed the entire year due to a knee injury.
“We don’t have a player who can take over a game like Mackenzie was able to, but this year’s players have found ways to use each other and they share the ball,” coach Peter Belskis said. “We also have a lot of versatility with girls able to play multiple positions.”
Senior Amber Chasse, who has returned after missing all but a couple games in her first three years due to knee injuries, and classmate and cousin Morgan Doughty are the leading goal scorers, with Shelby Stolze and Willow Hall also in double figures in that department.
Micayla Driscoll spearheads the defense and senior goalkeeper Megan Cote has racked up more than 40 career saves, including nine this season.
The Cougars are led by goalkeeper Natalie Rickards, who made a number of key saves in Friday’s prelim victory over Hodgdon. Erin Lake is the Cougars’ top scoring threat.
“The girls are super excited to go to Ashland,” said Katahdin coach Shaun McAvoy. “Ashland has a great program and we expect a tough game. Defense will be key as their three top scorers will need to be contained.”
McAvoy is in his second season with the Cougars and has the team in the postseason for the second straight year. Last season, Katahdin was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Central Aroostook.
The Cougars have a very young roster, sporting a number of freshmen and eighth-graders.
“Our team is young, but we have worked hard this season and stepped up our game from the first of the season to now,” the coach said. “I am more than pleased with the growth I have seen in each player.”
“Injuries have plagued Katahdin all season, but right now we are well,” he added. The Cougars, however, will be without junior Hannah Kyllonen who broke her ankle in a game against Washburn played at Presque Isle.
No. 8 Bucksport (7-6-2) at No. 1 Houlton (13-1), 4 p.m. — Houlton coach Tim Tweedie and the rest of the Shires are hoping to exact a bit of revenge against the Golden Bucks Tuesday when Bucksport comes to town for a quarterfinal matchup.
Bucksport came to Houlton two years ago and upset the Shires 1-0 in the semifinals, so coach Tweedie knows anything can happen come playoff time.
“We’re very glad to have home field advantage,” the coach said. “It’s what you work all season for. We were 7-0 at home on the regular season, so hopefully we can keep that going for a few more games.”
Bucksport is strong defensively, which could pose a few problems for Houlton. “They had eight games on the year where they allowed one goal or less, so we know that they are tough to score on,” Tweedie said. “We need to be patient offensively and take good shots. We’ve talked about quality over quantity.”
“We are hoping for a bit of revenge,” the coach said. “This Bucksport team came here in 2015 as the No. 6 seed and beat us 1-0 in the semifinals, after they had upset Central in the quarterfinals that year. They’re very well coached and they are a very similar team to that year, so hopefully we can find a way to break through against them this time.”
Coach Tweedie said the Shires are finally getting everyone healthy at what should be just the right time for an extended playoff push.
“I really like the mental makeup of this team,” he said. “We play with a bit of a chip on our shoulders, which is what we will need if we want to make a run in the playoffs. Scoring first will be a big key. If we can score first, we will force their defense to have to defend us in space. I like our speed, so hopefully we can take advantage of it.”
No. 5 Central Aroostook girls (10-5) at No. 4 Madawaska (12-3), 5 p.m. — Panther coach Joe Levesque hopes the third time is a charm when his team plays the Owls Tuesday afternoon in the Class D North quarters.
Central Aroostook lost by scores of 4-3 and 5-2 during the regular season.
“Madawaska may very well be the best team in D,” Levesque said. “They are very strong from the midfield forward. The only way we beat them is if we play better defense than they do.
“They pose some difficult matchup problems with Jenna [Dugal] and Hannah [Nadeau], so we will have to play our best to be in the game with them,” he added. “I think we are pretty confident as a team. We played them very well up there (Sept. 5).
The Panthers are led by the Levesque sisters. Sophomore Kate Levesque is the leading scorer on the season and Kassie, a senior, scored four goals in the prelim win over Shead Friday and is second overall. Brea Bradbury is a strong two-way player at midfield and Keara McCrum is a top defender. Talented goalkeeper Caitlyn Harris was injured against Shead but is expected to play.
No. 7 Brewer girls (9-4-2) at No. 2 Presque Isle (11-3), 5:30 p.m. — The Wildcats have a difficult Class B North quarterfinal draw in Brewer, a team they faced exactly a week ago in the lone regular season meeting. PI pulled out a 2-1 win but needed a late goal by high-scoring junior Madison Michaud to do so.
“Brewer is a very good team not your typical seven seed,” said PI coach Ralph Michaud. “They are very skilled, love to possess the ball and they have a lot of players that scare us.
“If we don’t play well, we will be in trouble,” he added.
The Wildcats are powered by Michaud, the school’s all-time leading scorer who has racked up 28 of her team’s 45 goals. Junior Savannah Rodriguez has turned in some brilliant performances in goal, including the 1-0 shutout over Caribou.
Many others, including Paige McHatten, Eleanor St. Peter and Emily Wheaton at midfield and defenders Chrissy Skidgel, Elizabeth Collins, Charlotte Carrier and Molly Kingsbury, are key contributors.
