By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
DYER BROOK, Maine— After going winless in their first seven matches this season, the Fort Fairfield Tigers’ stunning turnaround has continued into the playoffs. The Tigers, ranked 12th in Eastern Maine Class D, pulled off a 2-1 upset victory over fifth-seeded Southern Aroostook in Friday’s preliminary contest to advance to the quarterfinals, where they will try to keep it going on the road this afternoon against No. 4 Jonesport-Beals.
“Right now, it’s really not about who we’re going to play next,” said Tiger coach John Ala, whose team has gone 5-1-3 during the second half of the season after the slow start. “We’re more focused on the style of soccer that we’re playing and continuing to improve as a team.
“We knew, with a lot of new faces, that there was going to be a learning period at the beginning of the season and we needed to work hard, but at the same time demonstrate patience. As a group, we seem to have figured out our identity and have a lot more confidence in what we can achieve.”
That attitude was put on display against the Warriors. Junior Johnny Theriault headed in a corner kick served by freshman Ryan Player to give Fort the lead in the first half.
Southern Aroostook then put together a fierce offensive attack through the remainder of the half, but the Tiger defense and goalkeeper Dalton Cassidy kept the hosts off the scoreboard.
Going against the wind in the second half, Ala changed his team’s defensive scheme. Cassidy made a huge save on a header and on the counter attack, Player made a couple moves to create space and serve a cross into the box. Theriault again was able to get his head on it and redirected the ball off the lower left post and in for the two-goal advantage.
SA’s Cody Lassonde scored on a shot from 25 yards out to cut the lead to one, but that was as close as the Warriors came as Fort’s defense held strong.
