Sports Reporter
The Presque Isle Wildcats have struggled to score goals throughout the season, but still find themselves with a 4-0-2 record heading into road matches Thursday at John Bapst and Saturday at Old Town.
“After six games, we are somehow still undefeated,” said Presque Isle coach Scott Young. “This team has shown some resiliency and it all starts with the four captains (Nate Ackerson, Dillion Kingsbury, Nathaniel Postell and Matt Chasse) leading the way.
“We certainly have a great deal yet to figure out and work on in order to compete in the playoffs, and fortunately we do still have some time to work with.”
Ashland dropped a pair of matches, losing to both Southern Aroostook and Katahdin, and is now 5-3. Still, coach Kevin Paradis likes the make-up of his squad.
“Overall, I’m happy with the team’s progress,” Paradis said. “This team is much different than others I’ve coached in the past, and I am optimistic that our defense will carry us far this year.”
The Hornets received a boost last week when senior midfielder Brandon Labbe returned to action after having missed several games with a knee injury.
Most of the other local teams are in the midst of a three-week respite, with Central Aroostook, Fort Fairfield and Washburn all set to resume their schedules in October. Easton has already finished its regular season slate.
Katahdin 2, Ashland 1 – At Stacyville Monday, the host Cougars’ Mickey Savage scored less than a minute into the game and then he tallied another goal 8-1/2 minutes into the second half to break a 1-1 deadlock in the upset victory over the Hornets.
Casey Cobb converted a Kenny Tarr assist in the first half for Ashland’s only goal of the contest. Bobby Gardner collected six saves on 10 shots in goal for the Hornets, who fell to 5-3 with the loss.
Jesse McNally handled goalie duties for Katahdin and ended up with 14 saves on 19 shots.
Presque Isle 2, Hermon 1 (OT) – At Presque Isle Saturday, Josh Allen scored a goal from outside the 18-yard line to tie the match with 3:30 to play and then connected for the game-winner from 15 yards out with 1:15 remaining in overtime, lifting the Wildcats to the victory over upset-minded Hermon. Isaac Lajoie had the assist on the game-winner as PI remained undefeated at 4-0-2.
The Hawks, now 1-4, took the lead in the first half on Jesse Graffam’s corner kick, and held the advantage until the very late going before Allen came through with his heroics.
Presque Isle outshot Hermon, 22-6. Dillion Kingsbury had four saves for PI, while the Hawks’ Justin Cullens stopped 18 shots.
“Our passing was crisp and on the mark most of the game,” said PI coach Scott Young, noting his team was against the wind in the first half and still carried play. “We just struggled to finish many very good opportunities.”
Central Aroostook 5, Limestone-MSSM 0 – At Mars Hill Thursday, the Panthers stayed undefeated against Class D opponents with the shutout win.
Dan Brewer, Garrett Stiles, Brandon Anthony, Spencer Stetson and Logan Thomas all scored goals for the Panthers, who moved to 9-2 with the triumph. Ross Grass recorded his first shutout of the season by saving all three shots that came his way.
Zach Moreau and Aaron St. Pierre combined for 13 saves on 44 shots in goal for the Eagles.
Southern Aroostook 3, Ashland 1 – At Presque Isle last Wednesday, in a match that Hornet coach Kevin Paradis said had “a playoff feel to it,” the Warriors used three Dakota Sleeper goals in recording the victory. The two teams will battle again this afternoon in Dyer Brook.
Tarr scored unassisted nine minutes into the second half for the lone Hornet goal. Gardner saved 12 of 20 shots in goal for Ashland, while SA’s Jesse Boulier turned away 10 of 11 shots.
“I told my boys that I was proud of their effort,” Paradis said. “They really laid it all out there.”
Caribou 0, Presque Isle 0 – At Caribou last Tuesday, Aroostook County’s two Class B teams battled through 80 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of overtime, with neither able to score a goal.
Kingsbury of PI and Jordan of Caribou each made four saves on 12 shots in recording the goalie shutouts.
“The defense for both teams was strong,” said Shea. “[Presque Isle’s] Nate Ackerson was terrific in neutralizing our leading scorer, Cameron Anderson. Our senior midfielder, Ethan McDuffie, was our key performer – providing defensive support behind the ball and filling the role of playmaker on attack.”
Presque Isle coach Scott Young said his team did not take advantage of some very good scoring chances in the first 20 minutes of the match.
“If we took care of business then, it probably would have been a very different result,” Young said. “However, Caribou did get stronger as the game went along and in the end they held their own and had a few chances to possibly win the game themselves.”
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
CHASING after the ball is Central Aroostook’s Daniel Brewer, left, as Eagle Dylan Morgan trails the play. Central Aroostook improved to 9-2 on the season by defeating Limestone-MSSM at home Thursday, 5-0.
