WASHBURN, Maine — The Central Aroostook Panthers turned into unwanted guests Friday on opening day of regular season soccer action in Aroostook County.
The Panther girls and boys spoiled the Beavers’ annual August Festival doubleheader by recording a sweep, with CA winning the girls’ game, 2-0, as well as the boys’ contest by a 5-3 score.
After a scoreless first half, the Panthers’ Kassie Levesque scored off a Kelsey Dominique assist at the 30:50 mark, while Caitlyn Harris provided an insurance goal off a Molly Anthony pass to give CA the win in the girls’ match.
“It’s always a tough draw as it is played during their festival and there is always a big crowd,” said Panther coach Joe Levesque, “but I thought we did a good job controlling the midfield. We didn’t finish as well as I would like to see but that will come with time.”
Taylor Howe saved 20 of 35 shots in goal for Washburn, while Ashlee Harris recorded the shutout for CA with six saves on seven attempts.
“We faced a very quick team and we still did a good job defensively, but we had trouble getting going offensively,” said Beaver coach Marcie Barbarula.
Washburn’s Mollie Clark, left, and Central Aroostook’s Jessie Thomas battle for possession during Friday’s mutual opener played in Washburn. The Panthers blanked the Beavers, 2-0.
(jMavor Photography)
In the boys’ game, the two teams combined for seven first-half goals as the Panther offense proved to be too much.
Washburn had leads of 1-0 and 2-1, only to see CA battle back. Ben Thomas of the Panthers scored 1:28 after Noah Caron, with the help of a Jovanni Taveres pass, put the Beavers on top. Less than five minutes later, Carter Doak converted a McCall Turner pass as Washburn regained the lead, but Colby Kingsbury answered 2:18 later to tie the game.
Alex Boulier gave the Panthers their first lead with 12:07 to play before intermission, but Taveres needed only 2:04 to knot the score. However, Kingsbury broke another tie with a goal that came with 3:06 remaining in the half.
Less than 16 minutes into the second half, Caleb Harris tallied for CA for the first two-goal lead for either team and the score remained 5-3 the rest of the way.
Central Aroostook was back to work Tuesday as they hosted Fort Fairfield and the next games are set for Friday against Wisdom at 4 p.m. in St. Agatha. The Beavers hosted Wisdom Monday and will entertain Van Buren this afternoon, with both the boys’ and girls’ games beginning at 4 p.m.
All the other teams in the region have either begun their seasons or will next week. The Tigers will be back in action Friday at Van Buren. The girls play at 5 p.m., followed by the boys at 7 p.m. Caribou opens with a home doubleheader against Fort Kent Tuesday, Aug. 25, with the girls’ game at 5 p.m. and the boys’ game at 7 p.m.
The Easton teams were at home against Ashland Tuesday in the mutual opener for both schools’ girls and boys teams. The two teams square off again Tuesday, Aug. 25 in Ashland with the girls playing first at 5 p.m. and the boys to follow. The Bears also have games Friday in Madawaska, with the boys playing at 5 p.m. and the girls at 7 p.m.
The Presque Isle girls and boys are due to open at home Thursday, Aug. 27 against Fort Kent. The girls game is at 5 p.m. and the boys will play at 7 p.m.
Limestone-MSSM doesn’t play its first games until Saturday, Aug. 29. The Eagles will visit Ashland that afternoon, with the girls playing at 3 p.m. and the boys at 5 p.m.
