FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Tigers appear to be headed for a breakthrough season in boys’ soccer.
Coach John Ala’s team is off to a 4-0 start, with wins over Central Aroostook, Van Buren, Washburn and Southern Aroostook, and the squad appears to be on the top of its game.
Fort Fairfield has numerous returnees from last year’s team that reached the Eastern Maine Class D semifinals, only to fall to Ashland. Leading scorer Johnny Theriault graduated and is now playing at UM-Presque Isle and top defenders Caleb Daigle and Hunter Beaulieu have also moved on.
Ryan Player of the Tigers applies smothering defense on Limestone-MSSM’s Tyler Simmons during the varsity soccer match played in Fort Fairfield recently. Player is one of the reasons behind the success of the Tigers, who are 12-0-1 and in first place in Class D North.
(Courtesy of jMavor Photography)
This year’s roster includes four seniors, all who figure to contribute heavily to the success of the team. Dalton Cassidy is the starting goalkeeper. Ala said he is “very vocal” and keeps the team organized. Josh Ricker is a strong defender who contains well and is excellent out of the air, while Thomas Krause is very defensive-minded and often marks the opponents’ top players. Justy McKenney has returned to the Tigers and is very athletic and versatile.
Fort Fairfield received a huge boost when Ryan Player transferred back after spending last year in Colorado. The junior brings a “high soccer IQ and skill set” to the team, according to Ala. He will man the center midfield position. Junior Chris Giberson will also play a mid and owns great vision and instincts. Classmates Greg Jellison and Landon Kinney are outside midfielders and will contribute.
Isaac Cyr leads a large and talented sophomore group. He will play right outside mid and some striker and gives the Tigers plenty of quickness and athleticism. Jared Harvey is returning from an injury but was a starter at outside back in 2014 and is vying for a return to the back line. Colin Goshorn is a very skilled center back who has improved his game and Dylan Jandreau also plays in the back and is very aggressive. Kyle Corey will boost the Tigers’ depth, Chris Gill is a first-year striker with lots of potential and Yoni Majia, who has moved in from Honduras, is skilled, smart and will challenge for a starting role.
Four freshmen have joined the squad, with Jonah Daigle coming in as the starting striker with good speed and instincts. Soloman Daigle will play midfield and be a backup ‘keeper and possesses aggressiveness at both positions. Blake Parady and Jonas Armstrong will be defensive reserves.
Athletic director Tim Watt and girls’ head coach Tom Towle will assist Ala along the sidelines.
