The Caribou Vikings are running out of time to turn things around.
The boys’ soccer team at CHS had a strong start to the season, but is currently muddled in a losing skid that could translate into the failure to qualify for the Eastern Maine Class B playoffs.
Contributed photo
Chad McCarthy (10) of the Vikings wins a head ball, while teammates Chad Caverhill (14) and Ted Walker (21) lend support during Friday’s matchup against Mount Desert Island. Caribou fell, 3-2.
According to standings released yesterday, Caribou is in 12th place in the division. The top 13 teams qualify, and Rockland and Bucksport are the teams still capable of catching the Vikes and preventing them from a post-season berth.
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole,” said Caribou coach Mark Shea following his team’s 3-0 loss at Fort Kent Monday, “and it might be tough to crawl out of.”
The Vikes have just one match left, to be played at home Saturday against the No. 1 team in Eastern Maine Class B — undefeated Presque Isle. Game time is 3 p.m. Shea knows what his squad is up against.
“Presque Isle is a great team and they will be very tough for us to beat,” he acknowledged. “Hopefully the Fort Kent game will serve as a wake-up call and let our kids know we have to play 80 minutes of solid soccer in order to have a chance to win.”
Against the Warriors, Caribou allowed Thomas Levesque to score goals 19 seconds apart, while Fort Kent’s third goal came just 27 seconds into the second half.
Fort Kent outshot Caribou, 25-10.
“We haven’t been patient, both on offense and defense,” Shea said. “We just need to refocus.”
Caribou dropped a 3-2 decision at home to Mount Desert Island Friday, with Seth Sager and Nate Rossignol scoring the Vikings’ goals. Ethan McDuffie had the assist on Sager’s first-half tally.
At Houlton last Tuesday, the Vikes needed a late-goal by Cameron Anderson to defeat the host Shiretowners, 3-2. Anderson scored on a penalty kick with 8:45 to play in the second half. Ted Walker and Anderson had first-half goals for Caribou. Phil St. Peter contributed an assist.
Prior to last week’s matches, Caribou had also recently struggled in a 3-2 victory over winless Foxcroft, while tying Hermon, which has won just twice all year.
The Caribou girls find themselves in a much better position. The Lady Vikes of coach Todd Albert has been on a roll, having won nine in a row heading into last night’s showdown at home against Presque Isle.
Caribou has not lost since dropping a 2-0 decision at PI Sept. 3.
“We have put ourselves in a position to at least host a home game,” said Albert, whose team is currently in fourth place in EM Class B. “I feel we’ve shown improvement since the start of the year. The girls have worked hard and starters Meagan Bossie, Katie Ouellette, Meg Bosse and Emily Collins have been solid on defense.
Caribou , which wraps up the season at Madawaska Friday, beat Houlton, 4-2, and MDI, 4-1 last week.
Abby Small had two goals against Houlton, while Jenna Selander netted a pair in the win over MDI.
Goalie Brittany Doak has missed some time due to injury, but Albert said Morgan Swan has filled in admirably. Doak was expected to start against PI.
Contributed photo
Emily Collins (3) of the Caribou Lady Vikings outpaces MDI’s Danielle Hutchins and gets to a loose ball in Friday’s 4-1 victory over MDI, played at CHS.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
Fort Fairfield’s Kaitlyn McLaughlin makes a move as Limestone/MSSM defender Shannon Leighton tries to contain her during last Tuesday’s match, won by the Lady Tigers, 4-1.
