FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Dalton Cassidy has numerous shutouts to his credit during his career as the Tigers’ starting goalkeeper, but none meant more than the one he earned Friday because it sent his team to the Class D North regional championships — the first time Fort Fairfield been in a sectional boys soccer final since 1994.
Fort Fairfield blanked one of its top rivals, Central Aroostook, by a score of 1-0 on a windy afternoon at the Charlie Lockhart Sports Complex. The top-ranked team in the division with a 15-0-1 record, the Tigers are set to meet up against six-time defending regional champion Bangor Christian, the No. 2 seed, at home this afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.
FF is gunning for its first regional crown since 1976. This marks the first time the Tigers are hosting the title game.
On Friday, Cassidy registered his ninth shutout of the season behind a gritty defensive effort. Facing a stiff wind, the Tigers were pressured by the Panther attackers in the first half and the closest call was a shot off the crossbar by Caleb Harris. However, FF withstood it and was happy to go into intermission with the scoreless tie.
The Tigers broke the deadlock 9:23 into the second half after CA goalie Hunter Crouse came out of the box and freshman forward Jonah Daigle toed the ball in from close range. After that, Fort Fairfield became more defensive-minded, even putting center-midfielder Ryan Player on the back line, and Central Aroostook had limited opportunities the rest of the way while heading into the wind.
“My guys hopped in front of every shot that came in,” said a grateful Cassidy. “It was hustle all around and that’s what definitely pulled it out.”
Cassidy remembers being tested mightily against the same Panther team Oct. 6, trailing 2-1 with less than 10 minutes to go before pulling out a 3-2 victory.
“The will not to lose is the greatest thing a team can have,” said the senior captain. “We had another game that we trailed 3-0 (against Southern Aroostook) and battled back. These guys come to work every practice, every game.”
Tiger coach John Ala said he knew Central Aroostook was a worthy opponent, especially coming off the close game three weeks earlier and the Panthers’ excellent late-season run, but was pleased with the grit demonstrated by his squad and the adjustments made at intermission.
“I was proud of our guys for sticking with it and battling through the conditions.” Ala said. “[In the second half] we did a better job passing to feet rather than let the wind dictate where the ball goes.”
After a relatively clean first half, the fouls increased for both teams after halftime, especially after the Daigle goal, and the result was four yellow cards — two for each team — and the 10-minute player absences that accompanied them.
