By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Easton Bears faced plenty of adversity during the regular season, including the loss of two starters from the lineup late in the year, three forfeit losses caused by using ineligible players because of an oversight in administrative paperwork to the Maine Principals’ Association and a harvest recess that saw several players not being able to practice much due to work responsibilities. However, as the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs, the Bears turned in a dominating performance against No. 6 Shead in Eastport Friday. The result was a resounding 4-0 victory that put Easton, who improved to 5-10, into the quarterfinals for a match at No. 3 Fort Fairfield that was played Tuesday afternoon.
“Honestly, I don’t consider it an upset as our regular season record didn’t represent our season,” said Bear coach Rachel Tomlinson. “We had to make some significant changes to our starting lineup from goalie to front line, and the adjustment seemed to work for us.”
The Easton goal scorers were Cassie Buck, Kylee Carter, Nichole Dudley and Elise Allen.
“We had a lot of opportunities and dominated most of the game, hopefully instilling some confidence in the girls as we head into the game against Fort Fairfield,” Tomlinson said. “We know [the Tigers] are a well-coached team and have the speed and strength that we will have a difficult time matching up with, but we are going to make some adjustments in hopes to try and slow them down.”
In the two matchups during the regular season, Fort Fairfield won by scores of 4-0 and 4-1.
