It is down to the final home stretch for boys and girls soccer squads as the regular season winds to a close. The final date for regular season makeup games is Tuesday, Oct. 22, with the preliminary playoffs commencing on Friday, Oct. 25.
As of Friday morning, seven of the nine local squads were in the playoff mix with just a few more games remaining.
In girls Class C North, Houlton (8-2) is fifth in the region and could be looking at a road quarterfinal contest. If the standings hold, the Shires would play at the No. 4 seed, currently Bucksport (9-4). Houlton could move up in the standings with victories in the team’s final few games. Houlton played Fort Kent Saturday Oct. 11 and faces Madawaska twice and Calais once in the final week of the season.
In girls Class D North, there is a log-jam with local squads as Southern Aroostook (7-4) is ranked sixth, Hodgdon (8-3) is seventh and Katahdin (6-3-1) is eighth. All three squads are looking at preliminary playoffs on Oct. 25. If the seeds hold, Southern Aroostook would host No. 11 Shead; Hodgdon would host No. 10 Wisdom; and Katahdin would host No. 9 Madawaska. Much could change over the final week of the regular season, however.
East Grand (0-11) is 17th and not in the playoff mix this year.
For boys Class C North, Houlton (3-5-1) is ranked 10th. Only the top 10 teams make the postseason, so the Shires can not afford to slip in the rankings. If the seeds hold, Houlton would play at the No. 7 seed, currently Fort Kent (6-4-1) in a preliminary playoff on Saturday, Oct. 26.
In Class D North, Hodgdon remains undefeated on the season with a 9-0-1 record, but are only ranked seventh in the region. If the seeds hold Hodgdon would host No. 10 Maine School of Science and Mathematics in the prelim round Saturday, Oct. 26.
Southern Aroostook (5-5-1) is ranked 11th and would be on the road at the No. 6 seed, currently Fort Fairfield (4-5-2) for a prelim game.
Katahdin (2-7) is ranked 16th and presently not in the playoff picture. However, the Cougars have a bundle of games yet to play and could easily squeak into one of the final two playoff spots with a strong showing down the stretch.
The following is a recap of games played through Thursday, Oct. 10. Coaches are asked to report scores and game information to jcyr@bangordailynews.com.
Girls Soccer
Houlton 9, Lee Academy 0 — At Lee Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Shires rolled to the easy win over Lee Academy. Individual results were not reported.
Southern Aroostook 5, Shead 0 — At Dyer Brook Tuesday, Paige Vose and Aliyah Morales both scored two goals, while Madison Russell added one to carry the Warriors past Shead. Makaekly Porter, Emma Nadeau, Jordyn Legassey and Esther Greene each had one assist for SA. Sydney Brewer had two saves on four shots for the Warriors. Teryn Smith had two saves on 17 shots for the Tigers (6-4).
Ashland 4, Katahdin 0 — At Ashland Wednesday, Oct. 9, Kayla MacLean had two goals and Mia Carney and Gabby Ayotte each had one as the Hornets improved to 10-1 on the season. Ayotte and Sierra Burby each had an assist. Jamie Poulin had 10 saves on 12 shots for Ashland, while Nikita Keim had nine saves on 29 shots for Katahdin.
Washburn 2, East Grand 0 — At Danforth Wednesday, Oct. 9, the visiting Beavers emerged with a 2-0 shutout over East Grand. Individual results were not reported.
Southern Aroostook 8, East Grand 0 — At Danforth Thursday, the Warriors scored early and often in the victory over East Grand. Individual results were not reported.
Orono 2, Houlton 1 — At Orono Thursday, the Red Riots edged Houlton 2-1. Individual results were not reported.
Boys soccer
Southern Aroostook 10, Shead 2 — At Dyer Brook, Oct. 8, Logan Swallow booted in three goals, while Gavin Vining added two and Xavier Morales, Lucas Duff, Peyton Lawlor, Graham Siltz and Camden Porter each had one for the Warriors. Swallow had three assists on the day, while Morales and Chance Barrows each had one. Jacob Cook and Jordan Ferrell each had solo goals for Shead (0-11).
Ashland 3, Katahdin 0 — At Ashland Oct. 9, the visiting Cougars were shut out by Ashland as Brady Holmes scored two goals and Weston Robinson added one. Josh Celestre had an assist for the Hornets. Garrett Tilley had three saves on five shots for Ashland (7-4), while Caleb Giles had 14 saves on 31 shots for Katahdin.
