ASHLAND, Maine — The Ashland girls soccer team defeated Katahdin 6-0 in an Aroostook League Division II semifinal Thursday at Ashland District School.
Ashland (7-2 overall) paired strong defensive play with a big offensive push in both halves to put away Katahdin (4-5) and move on to the next round of playoffs. The Hornets will face No. 1 Wisdom (8-1) Wednesday, Nov. 4 in St. Agatha. The time of that game has yet to be determined.
Wisdom has beaten Ashland twice during the season, 1-0 and 3-2.
“I think it’s bound to be another good game,” Ashland coach Peter Belskis said. “I’m hoping that third time’s the charm.”
It was a cold night for a soccer game — some flurries of snow even came down as the game progressed. Many attendees came bundled up in jackets and gloves to watch the Hornets play. More than 30 people attended the game, including several parents and students.
In Thursday’s semifinal, Hornet junior Gabby Ayotte led her squad with three goals, while senior Willow Hall added two and junior Mia Carney chipped in with one.
Katahdin was never able to gain its offensive footing against Ashland, failing to score any goals against goalkeeper Jamie Poulin throughout the bout. Poulin had 11 saves on the day, while Katahdin goaltender Nikita Kiem had three.
Coach Belskis said his team started slow, but got going after the second goal from Ayotte in the first half. He said his team had worked hard to keep up consistent play through a season shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With a shorter season, it’s been tougher,” Belskis said. “But, I think it’s all coming together at the right time.”
Katahdin coach Shawn McAvoy thought his team had played well against a strong Ashland team. Beset by injuries and down a starter, he said his players had shown constant improvement in each game throughout the season.
With a group of high-performing young players, McAvoy said he was looking forward to next season. He’s hoping his team has the opportunity to play downstate as well, an opportunity lost in this shortened season.
“I think we could have played the whole season,” McAvoy said. “But at least we got to play.”
Each team held its own against each other in the first quarter, though the Hornets struck first with Ayotte’s goal 11 minutes in 29. Ayotte added another goal 24 minutes later, making the score 2-0 Ashland at the half.
The Hornets put it away in the second half with three goals in eight minutes, one each from Hall, Carney and Ayotte. Hall scored her second goal of the night with 11 minutes left, marking the final score of 6-0.
ASHLAND, Maine — October 29, 2020 — Katahdin’s Danielle Libby, left, kicks the ball into play in an Aroostook League semifinal game on Thursday. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
ASHLAND, Maine — October 29, 2020 — Katahdin goaltender Nikita Kiem catches the ball in a Aroostook League semifinal game against Ashland on Thursday. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
ASHLAND, Maine — October 29, 2020 — Ashland’s Abby Cote, left, and Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove, right, fight for control of the ball in Thursday’s Aroostook League semifinal game. Ashland won 6-0. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
