Sports Editor
The Central Aroostook Panthers finished the regular season with a tie and a win last week, but second-year coach Wallace Endy points to an early matchup against Madawaska as the key game of what has been a fine season. “Even though we ended up losing 2-1 in overtime, it confirmed to me and the players that we could play with one of the best teams around,” Endy said.
CA fashions an 8-4-2 record entering this weekend’s preliminary round of the playoffs.
The Panthers feature a lethal offense, with the front line trio of senior Emmanuel Martinez, freshman Daniel Brewer and Zack Stetson combining for 33 goals and 13 assists.
Garrett Stiles, a senior midfielder, has helped provide additional offense with eight goals and four assists. Junior Logan Thomas, freshman Brendan York, freshman Spencer Stetson, Matt Graves and sophomore Kyle Murray have also contributed with some scoring.
York is the center midfielder, with Stiles playing one wing and either senior Ethan Garrison or junior Carter Grass on the other side. “The midfield this year is well rounded,” Endy said. “They can dribble and pass very well and produce goals.”
Graves, the senior sweeper, has had a solid year, according to the coach. “He does such a good job keeping everything organized on the field,” Endy said. “He talks to the other players and tells them who to mark up and when to move forward and back. He just communicates so well.”
The defensive corps also includes juniors Jeff Devoe and Zack Amnott on the wings and senior Nate Donovan at stopper. “The defense is very strong,” Endy said. “They have speed and strength and they overlap well and mark well.”
The goalkeeping chores have been split between freshman Ross Grass, who has five shutouts in 10 games, and sophomore Tyler Rusby, who has also had some strong outings in net.
Senior Josh Faulkner, junior Brian Faulkner, sophomores Matt Amnott and Logan McLaughlin and freshmen Mike McClung are other Panthers providing great depth for the squad.
Like many other Aroostook County teams, CA has to battle the three-week layoff due to the harvest recess. The Panthers tied a solid Fort Fairfield team last Tuesday, 1-1, and then shelled East Grand, 8-0, Thursday in their first games after the break.
Endy is hoping the squad can “get their legs back and stay focused and play good team soccer” during the post-season.
