HOULTON, Maine — Hopes of crowning a high school soccer champion appear to be alive and well following a meeting of the Aroostook League athletic directors Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The Aroostook League approved a varsity schedule for soccer that sees most teams playing an eight-game schedule, in addition to Aroostook County playoffs.
A format featuring two divisions of high school teams has been created, with each division crowning a champion, according to Southern Aroostook Community School Athletic Director Cliff Urquhart.
“The divisions were based on there being 16 soccer teams in The County,” Urquhart explained. “We took the eight largest schools by enrollment and the eight smallest schools by enrollment and split them up accordingly. Our thinking was that kids and teams should have something to play for. A goal perhaps.”
Division A includes Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Fort Kent, Madawaska, Fort Fairfield, Central Aroostook and Hodgdon. Division B features Katahdin, Southern Aroostook, Ashland, Wisdom, Van Buren, Easton, East Grand and Washburn.
Because the Maine Principals Association has instituted a maximum of 10 games for teams, Urquhart said a championship final would require a special waiver from the MPA.
For the girls, the quarterfinals are slated for Oct. 28; semifinals Oct. 30; and finals Nov. 4. For the boys, the quarterfinals are set for Oct. 29; semifinals Oct. 31; and finals Nov. 5.
“If the weather holds up, it should be a great way to end the season,” he said.
