Sports Reporter
The harvest recess is rapidly coming to a close, which means the boys soccer schedule is starting to get much busier beginning this week and into next. The Presque Isle boys added to their win total by beating Hermon and John Bapst last week.
The most recent Maine Principals’ Association Heal Points standings reveal that the Wildcats are in fourth place in Eastern Maine Class B with their 8-0-2 record and 60.7781 tournament index. Camden Hills is atop the rankings with their 10-1 record at 78.3929 tournament index. The top nine teams will reach the post-season. The regular season ends Oct. 20, with the playoffs set to begin Oct. 23.
In Eastern Class D, Central Aroostook (9-3, 56.8878 points) is second only to Calvary Chapel (9-0-1, 59.8825). Ashland (8-3, 48.0867) moved up to third after beating the Panthers Friday. Easton (5-9, 15.4105) is 11th and has finished its schedule, therefore out of playoff contention.
Washburn (2-9-1, 13.3291) is currently 12th and Fort Fairfield (3-6, 9.5663) is 14th in the division and are on the outside looking in as their regular seasons wrap up. Only the top 10 teams make the playoffs in this region.
Summaries of matches played through Oct. 5 are as follows:
Presque Isle 5, John Bapst 0 – At Presque Isle Saturday, sophomore Wilder York had his first career hat trick, scoring twice in the second half after tallying a single goal in the first half, leading the Wildcats to the easy win.
Josh Allen and Andrew Legassie also had goals for the Wildcats, which won for the eighth time this season against no lossees and two ties.
Dillion Kingsbury saved three of six attempts in goal for PI. Nathaniel Postell and Isaac LaJoie each had an assist, while Allen collected two.
“We played a very solid game from start to finish and had great contributions from our bench once again,” said PI coach Scott Young.
Ashland 3, Central Aroostook 2 – At Mars Hill Friday, the Hornets knocked off the then-No. 1 team in EM Class D despite having just 13 available players.
Ashland trailed 1-0 on an early goal by CA sophomore Dan Brewer, but then scored three unanswered goals in the second half to take control. Casey Cobb scored the first at the 27:41 mark on a beautiful left-footed volley from in front, while Cobb converted a Kenny Tarr assist into the go-ahead goal seven minutes later. A hand ball in the penalty area led to a Tarr penalty kick and a 3-1 Ashland advantage with 16:14 to play.
Garrett Stiles scored for the Panthers with five minutes left off a Brandon Anthony assist, but the hosts were unable to knock in the equalizer and lost for just the third time all season.
J.J. D’Ozier saved 14 of 20 shots in goal for Ashland, while Ross Grass of CA saved 11 of 21 shots.
“This was a very exciting game and both teams played hard,” said Ashland coach Kevin Paradis. “I am extremely pleased with the way [my team] came from behind again. They did the same thing against Southern Aroostook the week before, and both comebacks were on our opponents’ home field.
“This should really give us confidence through the playoffs.”
Ashland hosts Van Buren at Presque Isle Friday, while Central Aroostook next plays Tuesday, Oct. 13 in Fort Fairfield.
Presque Isle 3, Hermon 0 – At Hermon Thursday, Brandon Bonville, LaJoie and York were the goal scorers and the Wildcat defense did the rest in the victory.
Kingsbury collected the shutout in goal with nine saves on 16 shots. Young said the starting and reserve backs are providing stronger play, and that helped lead to this road win.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
COLE RICHARDS of the Presque Isle Wildcats concentrates on the ball during Saturday’s game against the John Bapst Crusaders. Presque Isle came out on top in the match, 5-0, to improve its record to 8-0-2 on the season.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr 
LEAPING INTO THE AIR to head the ball are Dan Brewer, left, of Central Aroostook and Andrew Libby of Ashland during Friday night’s boys soccer game in Mars Hill. The Hornets topped CAHS by a 3-2 final.
