‘Cats take on Camden for EM B boys’ crown
By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
The Presque Isle Wildcat boys played their best game of the season at the most opportune time and are now traveling to Camden to play in the Eastern Maine Class B soccer final. That game is set for today at 2:30 p.m.
PIHS coach Joe Greaves expects the ‘Cats to once again step up their play against a team that is widely considered the best in Eastern Maine, regardless of class. Camden Hills Regional High School is undefeated this year and their only loss in the last two years was in the Eastern Maine final to Ellsworth last season.
Staff photo/Jon Gulliver
WILDCAT JONAH STEPHENSON looks to beat the Hermon player to the ball in a home quarterfinal match against the Hawks. Presque Isle won the game 1-0.
“To start the year most soccer people penciled in Ellsworth and Camden to have a rematch in the Eastern Maine Championship,” said Greaves. “No one talked about Presque Isle having a shot at it, and that hasn’t set lightly with us.”
Greaves says his club has a great set of seniors, and the younger guys have been stepping up.
“Win or lose Camden is going to get the best from the Wildcats on Wednesday,” the coach exclaimed.
The Wildcats advanced to the EM finals by gaining some payback against Ellsworth on Saturday in Ellsworth. The Eagles handed Presque Isle their only loss of the season. The Cats dropped a 4-0 decision on the road, but coach Greaves said the score was misleading.
This time around Presque Isle kept the Eagles off the board, and Jake Player scored on a shot inside the 18-yard line after a Jonah Stephenson corner kick with three minutes left in the first overtime to give PIHS the 1-0 win.
“Every single player stepped up and played great for us,” Greaves said. “The boys refused to let Ellsworth beat us this time.”
Presque Isle began their run to the EM final by hosting a quarterfinal match against a pesky Hermon team. Wilder York converted a Stephenson cross in the first half for the only score of the game.
Andrew Kofstad had 12 saves on 15 shots from Presque Isle and earned praise from his coach.
“Andrew played his best game of the season, he stepped up in net and made some big saves for us,” Greaves said.
After coming out of the half down a goal, the Hawks turned up their offensive intensity, but the Wildcats defense clamped down.
“Cole Richards took the game over, he made up his mind he wasn’t going to let Hermon score and they didn’t. Also Logan Good, Riley Norton and Colin McKay shut down their best scorers and won a majority of balls out of the air in the second half.”
That was Presque Isle’s third win over Hermon this season, but the first game the Hawks had all their key players.
