Sports Reporter
The season may be over for the Caribou varsity soccer teams, but coaches Scott Hunter and Todd Albert can look back with satisfaction on what their teams have accomplished.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Caribou senior Dean Walker blasts a shot on goal, while Presque Isle’s Khyver Lowe is late to defend during last Wednesday’s quarterfinal match in Caribou. The Vikings shut out the Wildcats, 2-0.
In just his second season, Hunter led the Viking boys into the Eastern Maine Class B semifinals and a match against No. 1 Ellsworth Saturday. Even though Caribou was beaten by a 2-0 score, Hunter was pleased with the effort displayed by his team.
“We came out great, possessing the ball and winning the midfield battle which generated several high quality scoring chances,” he said.
Matt Milliard almost got Caribou on the scoreboard early, but his shot caromed off the crossbar. The Vikes had a couple other decent chances, according to Hunter, but couldn’t cash in.
With 25:36 to play in the first half, Josh Bean’s long throw-in was deflected off Caribou goalkeeper Matt Manter and into the goal.
Caribou was able to generate a couple more good chances, but was thwarted on each occasion.
With 5:48 left in the match, another long flip throw-in by Bean found the head of teammate Conor Maguire, who then passed it to Jack Weeks, who headed it in for the 2-0 lead.
Many of Bean’s other throw-ins were punched away by Manter to keep 10-5-1 Caribou in contention.
Caribou was dominant last Wednesday in a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over rival Presque Isle.
Nolan McDuffie scored a first-half goal and Dean Walker scored in the second, while the Viking defense did the rest in not allowing PI any quality scoring chances.
“I was very impressed with the team effort in this game as the kids played harder and stronger as the game went on with no letup,” Hunter said. “I think we also showed that we have some very skilled soccer players who play a very pleasing style of play that is fun to watch.”
Caribou received great play from defenders Breen Blackstone, Sean Barbosa, Taylor Thibodeau, Matt Frost and Mike Selander, while the midfield group consisting of Cody Herbert, Milliard, Nick Whitehead and Walker possessed the ball and passed with pinpoint accuracy to the Viking forwards to create many good scoring chances.
The Caribou girls saw their season come to an end with a 2-1 overtime loss at Presque Isle last Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
With the wind advantage, Sarah Doak put the Vikes ahead with three minutes left in the first half, but PI scored the tying goal 13 minutes into the second before Chandler Guerrette ended it less than three minutes into the first overtime.
“I thought the girls played hard, and I am very proud of their effort,” Albert said. “For a No. 8 seed, I thought we were dangerous draw.
“The wind was a huge factor, and unfortunately we didn’t get the wind in the first overtime.”
Caribou, which had beaten Medomak Valley in the prelim round, ended its season with a 9-6-1 record.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphicsy
Kendra Stephens rises up to head the ball away during last Tuesday’s quarterfinal match in Presque Isle. Caribou lost in overtime by a 2-1 margin.
