HOULTON, Maine — Whenever Houlton and Orono meet on the soccer field, a competitive contest traditionally unfolds.
Such was the case Wednesday afternoon as the Houlton and Orono girls soccer teams battled to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
In that extra period, the Shires offense continually pressured Orono’s defensive backfield, but the Red Riots held firm.
That is until Houlton senior Breanne Barton broke the tie with just 7.1 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Shires to a 3-2 victory.
“I saw the clock was winding down, and I knew we needed a goal,” Barton said. “I looked for the opposite corner and was able to put it in. We knew this was going to be a tough one and that we needed to bring our ‘A’ game against Orono.”
It was Orono who struck first as Anna Molloy scored in the first two minutes of the game. Houlton’s Gabby Gentle evened things up for the Shires as she converted a pass from Lydia Byron with 27:05 remaining.
In the second half, Maddie Marino put Houlton up 2-1, on another assist from Byron, following a brief flurry in front of the net with 20:23 to go.
The Red Riots refused to go away, however, as Molloy struck again, scoring with 16:24 to play in regulation.
“We knew Orono would play us tough,” Houlton Coach Marinna Cameron said. “We are also a little banged up, but we have some time now to heal before the playoffs.”
Houlton improved to 7-2 on the season and is currently ranked fifth in the Class C North standings. Orono dropped to 4-5-1 on the year and is ranked seventh.
In the boys contest played afterward, Orono rolled to a 6-0 shutout over Houlton. The Red Riots improved to 10-0 on the season and sit atop the Class C North standings. Houlton dropped to 1-8 and is ranked 14th.
Ben Francis led the way for Orono with a goal and three assists. Chase Campbell, Dominik Ondo, Chris Cost-Kirkpatrick, Adam Henderson and Noah Kruxtz each had one goal. Will Francis tallied one assist.
Javier Alicea-Santiago made six saves on nine shots for Orono, while Houlton’s Konnor Lynds stopped 15 of 26 shots.
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Houlton’s Cody Johnston looks up the field for an open teammate during a Wednesday night game against Orono. The Red Riots beat Houlton 6-0. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Orono’s Pierce Waiston (left) settles the ball as Houlton’s Mark Thibodeau defends during a Wednesday night game in Houlton. Orono won 6-0. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Orono’s Lucas Allen (left) looks to get around Houlton’s Jay Tweedie during a Wednesday night game in Houlton. Backing up the play is Shire Isaiah Gentle. Orono won 6-0. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Houlton’s Emma McCarthy (center) heads the ball past Orono defender Annalee Edgar during a Wednesday afternoon girls soccer game in Houlton. Backing up the play is Houlton’s Maddie Marino. The Shires won 3-2 in overtime. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Houlton’s Olivia Henderson (left) races past Orono defender Angelina Pitt during a Wednesday afternoon girls soccer game in Houlton. The Shires won 3-2 in overtime. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Houlton’s Breanne Barton (center) takes a shot Adella Mabee defends during a Wednesday afternoon girls soccer game in Houlton. In the background is Houlton’s Amelia Callnan. The Shires won 3-2 in overtime. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — Ocotober 13, 2021 — Houlton’s Gabby Gentle (right) tries to kick the ball past Orono goalie Charlie Ann Burns during a Wednesday afternoon girls soccer game in Houlton. The Shires won 3-2 in overtime. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
