Ashland girls look to bounce back
by Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
ASHLAND — Last season was unique for Hornet coach Peter Belskis, but not in a way that he liked.
ASHLAND’S Kayla Cote gives the ball a ride, while Washburn’s Mackenzie Worcester looks on during Friday’s match in Washburn. 
Cote scored a goal as Ashland won, 3-2.
For the first time in over a decade, the Ashland girls fell short of making it into the Eastern Maine Class D playoffs. The team’s 2-11-1 final record was largely a by-product of a knee injury suffered in the second game of the season by talented striker Brooke LaBelle.
Belskis likes the look of this year’s squad, despite its youth. Five sophomores and five freshmen are a huge part of the 16-player roster, but the coach feels his team will be a strong tournament contender.
“I like the chemistry, work ethic and the ‘never quit’ attitude this team exudes,” said Belskis, who is beginning his sixth year as the girls’ head coach after serving as the boys’ coach for 26 and as a volunteer assistant for the girls another four.
SCORING CHANCE — Central Aroostook’s Molly Anthony moves the ball toward the goal during her team’s match against Southern Aroostook last Wednesday in Dyer Brook. 
The Panthers won, 1-0, and then beat Wisdom Friday, 2-0, for their first victories.
LaBelle, a dangerous scorer, will be missed along with the remainder of last year’s senior group, but the veterans back from the 2011 squad along with the infusion of skilled younger players gives Belskis hope in making a solid run to the post-season.
Junior Macie Bellanceau is back for her third year as the team’s goalkeeper. Belskis said Bellanceau has been working hard with assistant coach Ray Chasse and has shown steady improvement.
The starting backs include senior captains Kayla Cote and Shea Craig, sophomore Sophie Theriault and freshman Laura Sturgeon.
Cote will anchor the defense from the sweeper position and is also a capable scorer. Craig is a very determined performer, while Theriault does a solid job clearing the ball away. Sturgeon is very strong and will back up Bellanceau in goal.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
FANCY FOOTWORK — Allyx Beaulier controls the ball for Ashland during Friday’s match in Washburn. 
The Hornets won the contest, 3-2.
The midfield trio includes juniors Ally Beaulier and Rachel Gillis and freshman Caitlin Paradis. Beaulier is versatile and coachable, Gillis is a steady player with a strong right foot and Paradis has great all-around ball skills and exceptional field awareness.
Starting up front is a young but talented group including freshmen Savannah Flint and Leeann McNally and sophomore Marissa Chasse.
Flint is highly skilled with a scorer’s mentality, according to Belskis. McNally is a fast, quick wing with a lot of potential and Chasse has a nose for the goal and is one of the team’s hardest working and versatile players.
Others on the team are senior Sarah Coons, sophomores Lacy Good, Brittany Harris and Kaitlyn Henderson; and freshmen Cassie Bolstridge, Sydney Curtis and Chelsea Vaillancourt.
The managers are Fallyn Tardie and Kali Pelletier.
“We’ll rely on the leadership of our upperclassmen and the growth and development of our younger players,” Belskis said.
The team will finally get to play on its true home field after spending the past two seasons hosting games in Presque Isle. The first game in Ashland is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 4 against Van Buren.
