CAHS Panthers to play for EM honors
By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
The Central Aroostook Panthers have come up with big wins when they needed them this soccer season and their biggest test comes today downstate taking on the No. 1-seeded Bangor Christian Patriots in the Eastern Maine Class D boys championship. The game is at 2 p.m. in Hampden behind the Weatherbee School.
Panther coach Dave Collins says the Patriots will pose a tough challenge. He said they are a mature team and won’t rattle easily. In recent years Bangor Christian has also been a frequent player in the Eastern Maine Championship game.
Staff photo/Jon Gulliver
UP FOR GRABS — Central Aroostook’s Dan Brewer (5) and Washburn’s Kenny Irving (12) each go after the ball in a semifinal match from Friday in Mars Hill. The Panthers topped the Beavers 4-3 to advance to today’s Eastern Maine Class D final against Bangor Christian.
“We will have to play the way we are capable of playing by passing the ball and spreading the field,” Collins said. “We are pretty skilled in most of our positions and our speed will match up with any team we play.”
The Panthers made the EM final by topping the visiting Washburn Beavers on Friday. Joe Stiles scored with a little less than three and a half minutes in regulation to give CAHS the 4-3 win. Stiles’ goal was a mere 13 seconds after a goal by Washburn’s Mitchell Worcester, which tied the game.
“When Washburn scored to tie the game, the guys didn’t hang their heads and were determined to get the goal right back and pushed themselves to do so,” said the Panther coach.
Brandon Anthony also played a strong game for the Panthers, showing quick moves and tallying two goals. Brendan York also scored for Central Aroostook. Ross Grass made six saves on 13 shots.
Jordan McLaughlin scored the first two goals for the Beavers, who finished their season at 13-3-1. Zach Davis made seven saves on 28 shots.
The No. 2-seeded Panthers stopped a physical Machias squad in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in Mars Hill. Anthony converted a York pass with about 22 minutes left in regulation to give CAHS a 1-0 lead. Spencer Stetson added an insurance goal with less than a minute on the clock for the final 2-0 score.
Here’s a recap of the other Class D boys’ playoff games from around the region:
Washburn 4, Woodland 3 — At Washburn on Wednesday, Worcester scored a goal in each half and assisted on the other two, including Alex Pelletier’s game-winner with 14:48 left, to lead the Beavers to victory.
McLaughlin scored in the second half for Washburn and set up Worcester’s second goal. Pelletier’s score made it 4-2.
Coach Ben Goodwin said the Worcester and McLaughlin sparked the attack in the second half after a sluggish first half.
“They helped reorganize our offensive attack to put a lot of pressure on Woodland’s unorthodox defense,” said Goodwin.
Washburn keeper Davis made five saves on 12 shots.
Bangor Christian 4, Easton 2 — At Hampden Saturday, the Patriots moved on to the Eastern Maine Class C finals by topping Easton 4-2.
Brad Wilcox and David Peters each tallied a goal and pitched in an assist for Bangor Christian. Rem Poulin and Kyle Holmes each scored a goal, and Zac Palmeter contributed an assist.
Reid Clark and Holden Turner each netted a goal for fifth-seeded Easton.
Caleb Perry made seven saves on 10 shots for 16-0 Bangor Christian. Cody Tompkins made 17 saves on 24 shots for 14-3 Easton.
Staff photo/Gloria Austin
FOOT ON THE BALL — Easton’s Jonah Baker gets his foot on the ball in a quarterfinal game against Southern Aroostook last Wednesday. The Bears won in overtime 1-0.
Easton 1, Southern Aroostook 0 — At Dyer Brook on Wednesday, the Easton Bears came up big in double overtime as Carl Mullen headed home a cross with 12:40 left to give Easton the 1-0 win.
Nick Clark kicked a cross into the area in front of the goal, the ball hit the ground and took a high bounce toward Mullen, who was about 12 yards out on the left side. As Warrior goalie Jesse Boulier came out to grab the ball, Mullen headed it over Boulier and into the net.
“The kids worked hard and fought off a team that had a lot of momentum coming into the playoffs,” said Easton coach Ryan Shaw.
Shaw also praised Reid Clark for his play covering the Warrior’s best scorer, Patrick Goodall.
