Sports Editor
The Presque Isle girls soccer team continued its quest for perfection this past week, improving to 7-0 on the season with victories over Hermon and John Bapst.
Ashland fell for the first time, to Southern Aroostook at home, but bounced back to defeat Katahdin and improve its record to 7-1.
For some local squads, a much-needed break awaits them as schools break for the annual harvest recess, while other teams continue to play games throughout the harvest break.
The following is a recap of games played through Sept. 21.
Presque Isle 3, John Bapst 2— At Bangor Monday, Presque Isle improved to 7-0 on the season after a close game with John Bapst. The Wildcats rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit with second-half goals by Brooke Long-Postell and Kayla Richards. Richards’ goal came on a penalty kick. Chelsea Nickerson also scored in the first half for Presque Isle.
Kristyn Gerow scored two unassisted goals for John Bapst.
Mandy Sawyer had five saves on 25 shots for the Crusaders, while Kelsey Park had seven saves on 10 shots for PI.
Presque Isle 8, Hermon 1 — At Presque Isle Saturday, the Wildcats remained perfect on the season in a lop-sided win over Hermon. Jenna Stephenson had two goals and an assist for Presque Isle, while Kayla Richards and Chelsea Nickerson both had two goals and Chandler Guerrette and Brooke Long-Postell each had one goal for the Wildcats.
Ashland 3, Katahdin 2 — At Stacyville Monday, Ashland’s Elena Reynaga broke a 2-2 tie with her second-half goal to give the Hornets the victory over Katahdin. Brooke LaBelle and Macie Pelkey also scored in the first half for Ashland (7-1).
Melissa Duffy scored both goals for Katahdin (0-5).
Taylor Baker had three saves on nine shots for the Hornets, while Makayla Patterson had 15 saves on 28 shots for Katahdin.
Central Aroostook 2, Limestone-MSSM 1, — At Mars Hill Thursday, Brittni Mosher scored a goal in each half to lift the Panthers over visiting Limestone-MSSM. Mosher scored just four minutes into the game when she took a pass from Sarah Michaud and deposited it into the net for a 1-0 Panther lead.
Mosher struck again with 28:3 to play in the second half when she scored an unassisted goal.
Limestone-MSSM cut the lead in half when Rylee Leighton scored an unassisted goal with 27:23 to play, but despite numerous chances late in the game, the Eagles could not produce the game-tying goal.
“We dominated this game,” said Eagle coach Brad Nadeau. “We need to learn how to finish off our goal [scoring] opportunities.”
Both squads will now enjoy a brief respite for harvest vacation. The Panthers do not play again until Oct. 2, while Limestone-MSSM does not have another game until Oct. 6.
During the break, the Eagles will stay fresh by hosting an alumnae soccer game Friday, Sept. 25.
“We played a much better game tonight,” Panther coach Dave Collins said. “We played them up there a few weeks ago, and thought we outplayed them [Limestone-MSSM], but came up on the short end. Ever since then, we kind of deflated.”
The Panthers have been decimated with injuries this season. Two players — Kristen Long and Vicky McIntyre — have broken wrists, while another Gabe Brewer has a fractured ankle. Long was able to play in Thursday’s game with a cast on her injured wrist.
“Injuries have really hurt us this year,” Collins said. “We have a lot of talent. We just have to get healthy.”
The Eagles used a new goalie, Hattie Welch, in net for Thursday’s game as regular goalie – Audra Kirk – suffered a strained knee earlier in the week against Hodgdon Sept. 14. Kirk was able to play in Thursday’s game, but she was used in the field.
The Panthers held a 21-17 advantage in shots, but the Eagles had an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.
Welch had nine saves in goal for Limestone-MSSM, while Ashley Estabrook had eight saves for CAHS.
Southern Aroostook 4, Ashland 1 — At Presque Isle Wednesday in a battle of unbeaten teams, Southern Aroostook emerged victorious thanks to two goals from Elizabeth Goodall and solo goals from Janel Rockwell and Rochelle Nadeau. Evangeline Goodall, Rockwell and Nadeau each had one assist.
Kayla Cote scored for Ashland while Macie Pelkey had an assist.
Emily Cummings saved eight of 16 shots for Southern Aroostook, while Taylor Baker had 11 saves on 17 shots.
Washburn 2, Wisdom 0 — At Washburn Wednesday, Kristi Sperry and Rebecca Campbell each scored a goal as the Beavers blanked Wisdom. Angie Hernandez had an assist for the Beavers.
Rayah Saucier and Campbell shared goalie duties for Washburn and combined for one save on one shot. Suzie Collins had 24 saves on 33 shots for Wisdom.
Van Buren 2, Limestone-MSSM 1 — At Van Buren Tuesday, Sept. 15, the Crusaders broke a 1-1 tie when Jen Ouellette scored a second-half goal to live Van Buren to victory. Limestone-MSSM took a 1-0 lead when Amanda Allen scored an unassisted goal in the first half.
Kristy Learnard also scored for Van Buren.
Easton 11, Wisdom 1 — At Easton Tuesday, Sept. 15, the Bears roared to the lopsided victory Sam Fuller, Carla Halvorson and Kennedy Young each scored two goals, while Arianna Babineau, Sarah Plourde, Abigail Poole Brooke Hammond and Katie Cyr each had one goal for Easton.
Crystal Paradis scored the lone Wisdom goal.
Taylor Burtt had seven saves on 11 shots for Easton, while Collins had 16 saves on 35 shots.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
SHANNON TODD, right, runs stride for stride with Limestone-MSSM’s Danielle Pelletier in Thursday’s girls soccer game in Mars Hill. The Panthers won 2-1.
Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg
PRESQUE ISLE’S Chelsea Nickerson (5) controls the ball while dribbling past Hermon defender Danielle Ross during the second half of Saturday’s match played at Presque Isle. Nickerson scored two goals in PI’s 8-1 triumph.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
CAHS PANTHER Kristen Long uses her head while Eagle Victoria St. Pierre defends during Thursday’s matchup in Mars Hill, won by Central Aroostook, 2-1.
