Injury bug hits Ashland soccer
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
ASHLAND — After four seasons of advancing deep into the post-season, the Ashland girls varsity soccer team has experienced a challenging season in 2011.
The Hornets are just four years removed from an Eastern Maine Class D title, and in each of the past three years have made it into the regional championship. However, injuries have taken their toll this fall and with just two games remaining, the team is considered nearly out of playoff contention with its 1-10-1 mark.
“The injury bug has certainly hit us hard this year,” said veteran coach Peter Belskis, who is in his sixth year as the girls’ coach after having served the 26 previous seasons leading the boys’ program.
“No fewer than five girls have had knee injuries and four others have had ankle or shin injuries, as well as the regular bumps and bruises that go along with a typical season,” he added.
No injury was more devastating than the ACL suffered by senior Brooke LaBelle in the second game of the season Aug. 23. The team was coming off an impressive 13-0 victory over Wisdom in its opener, and after LaBelle went down, Ashland has gone winless.
With 54 goals, LaBelle is four away from establishing the school’s all-time scoring record, currently held by Amanda Martin. Her explosiveness on the offensive end was demonstrated last October in the EM semifinals against Washburn. With the Hornets trailing by a goal with less than a minute to play, LaBelle scored the equalizer and then tallied the game-winner in sudden death overtime to get her team to advance.
Belskis said LaBelle has been working hard rehabilitating her knee and has not been ruled out for her team’s final two matches — at home against Wisdom Oct. 14 and at Fort Kent Oct. 18 — with an eye on making a run at the scoring mark.
Meanwhile, the Hornets’ starting lineup includes junior Kayla Cote and sophomore Ally Beaulier up front, with junior Danielle Higgins, freshman Marissa Chasse and sophomore Rachel Gillis serving as midfielders. The defense is spearheaded by senior Anna Paradis, sophomore Vanessa Higgins, junior Shea Craig and freshman Ashley Robinson, with sophomore Macie Bellanceau back for her second season in goal.
The substitutes are senior back Chelsey Hammond, freshman back Sophie Theriault, sophomore midfielder Diana Watt, freshmen midfielders Brittany Harris and Ramsey Paradis and freshman forward Lacy Good.
Kevin Paradis is Belskis’ assistant coach, while Fallyn Tardie and Kallie Pelletier are the team’s managers.
