By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The high school soccer post-season begins with the preliminary round Friday, Oct. 25. Teams from the region have either two or three games remaining as they jockey for position.
In Class B boys, Presque Isle is third in the Heal Point rankings with a 9-2-1 record, while Caribou is sixth at 6-5-1. Both are shoe-ins for the playoffs as the top 13 qualify. The two teams clash in Presque Isle Thursday for their second meeting of the year. The Wildcats took round one in Caribou on Aug. 29, 1-0. “This is a huge game for us,” said Caribou’s third-year coach, Scott Hunter. “Presque Isle is very physical and we need to match that as far as winning the 50-50 balls, but we also need to play our game — winning the midfield, playing a possession game and being patient on offense.
“We need to take advantage of our opportunities and use our speed. It should be another classic and exciting match between two of the top three teams in our conference,” Hunter added.
PI coach Joe Greaves also expects a great game Thursday evening.
“We know Caribou is a very good team and much better than what their record might suggest,” Greaves said. “It’s late in the season and we are both fighting for Heal Points. Pair that with the rivalry and it should be another hard-fought game.”
In Eastern Maine Class D standings, Washburn in eighth at 5-4-2 and Fort Fairfield in 12th at 3-6-2. The top 15 move on in the Class D ranks. Limestone-MSSM is at 3-9 and in 19th place.
For Class B girls, Caribou is ranked fourth and firmly in with its 9-3 record. Presque Isle is in 11th at 4-6-2 and should be able to stay within the top 13 and reach the playoffs for the 16th consecutive time under coach Ralph Michaud. The Vikes and Wildcats square off in PI tonight at 7 p.m. Caribou won the Aug. 28 matchup, 5-1.
“I think it will be a much closer game,” said Viking coach Todd Albert. “The rivalry always makes it an intense game and both teams want to play well. Presque Isle is not scoring many goals, but they are not giving up many either.
“The turf gives them a bit of an advantage, but I think we will adjust if we play the possession game.”
Michaud said that Caribou has the clear edge in offensive firepower, but likes the way his team has defended in recent matches, noting he has seen a huge difference over the past two games with sophomore Taylor Williams inserted into the sweeper position.
“We’ll try not to let them score,” he said. “If we win 1-0, it’s still a win.”
In the ‘D’ ranks, Washburn and Ashland are the top two teams with identical 10-1 records. The Beavers are first, seven points ahead of the Hornets. The teams split their regular season matches, with each winning on the other’s home field.
Fort Fairfield, at 9-2, is in fourth place. Coach Kerrie Alley said even though her team hasn’t received the attention Washburn and Ashland has, the veteran Tigers have quietly put together a solid season.
“We are flying under the radar and we are OK with that,” Alley said. “I believe right now we are feeling good mentally and physically. We have a lot of playoff experience and believe that we will make a strong run by working together as a team.”
Limestone-MSSM (5-7) is 11th and is set to battle Easton Saturday afternoon in both squads’ regular season finales. Both should already have enough points to finish in the top 13 and make the playoffs.
Becky West, coach of the Eagles, has had a challenge keeping 11 healthy players on the field throughout the season, but said her team has put together a good season just the same.
“Our defense has really picked up and is working well together,” said the first-year coach. “On the offensive end, I am happy with how well we are moving the ball. We just need to make sure we are attacking the goal and taking our shots on goal.”
In last week’s action, Caribou’s Bria Judd made history on Saturday as her fourth goal of the game lifted her past Olivia Sleeper, who graduated last spring, for the single-season scoring record at CHS with 22 goals.
After setting the JV scoring record as a sophomore, Judd had made the adjustment to the varsity level quite easily.
“Some players just have an ability to score, and she’s that player for us,” Albert said. “She has the speed, quickness and the shooting ability that is important in being a good striker.”
The Vikings’ 6-2 win over John Bapst followed up an impressive 2-1 overtime victory over Fort Kent last Wednesday. Judd, who scored both goals, had the game-winner in the second overtime off a Maddie Doucette assist.
The Caribou boys topped John Bapst Saturday, 5-1, after falling at Fort Kent last Wednesday, 1-0.
“We played very well at Fort Kent, taking control early on creating many great scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize,” Hunter said. “We had no luck at all. At one point in the second half, one of our players raced into the box on a ball that was headed to his side and with an open net, stumbled and fell as he was about to put it into the net.
Hunter said the Vikes outshot the Warriors, 17-5.
“They cleared three balls off the line that were going in to the goal and we had one shot come down off the cross bar and land on the goal line,” he said. “This was a game that was extremely disappointing for us to lose as all the kids played very well and we felt we deserved better.”
Caribou regrouped three days later at home against John Bapst. Kameron Manter scored twice to increase his season total to 12. Michael Hunter had a goal and an assist, while Colby Holdsworth and Breen Blackstone also found the back of the net. Dominick Judd registered his first varsity point, while Matt Milliard also had an assist for the Vikings.
Last Tuesday, the Tiger soccer teams swept visiting Central Aroostook. In the girls’ 3-1 victory, Janae Libby headed in a corner kick from Logan Bubar with just over 11 minutes to play to put FF on top for good. Bubar and Abbey Player were Fort’s other goal scorers, while Anthony had given CA the early lead 10 minutes in.
In the Fort Fairfield boys’ 4-1 win, Ryan Player recorded a hat trick to lead the way. Johnny Theriault had the Tigers’ other goal, with Dustin Pryor tallying for the Panthers.
