Class D semifinals disappointment for SACS girls

Lady Warriors fall to Van Buren, 2-0
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The No. 2 Southern Aroostook girls’ chance for a third regional appearance came to a halt last Friday, as visiting No. 3 Van Buren shut out the Lady Warriors, 2-0.   
    Going into last Friday’s semifinal game, the Lady Warriors hadn’t seen Van Buren play on the season, but they had kept close watch through the daily paper and Maine Principals’ Association website.
    “We knew they were tough,” SACS coach Holly Vining. “They played many close games with top C and D teams and had one of the toughest schedules in D.”
    The Crusaders played two of the top three teams in Class C twice on the season in number-one Fort Kent and number-three Madawaska.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
CLEARS — Southern Aroostook’s Janel Rockwell clears the ball before a Van Buren defender can move in on the play. The Lady Warriors fell to the Crusaders, 2-0 in last Friday’s Class D semifinals.
    “It was a heartbreaking loss,” Vining said. “The girls played well, but couldn’t seem to convert on any of our opportunities. We dominated the entire first half, but Van Buren packed their defense into the box, making it difficult for our offense to penetrate. When we did get through, we couldn’t get anything by their goalie.  She played a great game.”
    The Lady Warriors did have a chance early to score when they were awarded a penalty kick. Jasmine Rockwell booted the ball high and over the net.
    “We also struggled without our offensive midfielder, as we pulled her back on defense to mark Parise Rossignol,” explained Vining. “As a freshman she is one of the leading goal scorers in the state.”
    The teams played to a scoreless halftime, but just one minute into the second half, Van Buren was awarded a corner kick and made it count. The ball was loose in front of the goal mouth and a scramble ensued. With everyone kicking at the ball, Van Buren’s Natasha Bourgoin was finally able to tap the ball into the net.
 “There were so many girls from both teams, we couldn’t manage to clear the ball,” said Vining. “The momentum seemed to shift in Van Buren’s favor at that point.”
     Trying to put a push on offensively, the Lady Warriors withdrew their mark on Rossingol with 11 minutes left in the game.
    “We were trying to give our offense more help, hoping we would be able to tie the game,” said Vining.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
DEFLECTION — SACS Elizabeth Bishop deflects the ball  during last Friday’s Class D semifinal game against Van Buren.
    But just 30 seconds later, Rossignol went one-on-one beating a SACS defender scoring a break-away goal for Van Buren.
    “The girls played hard all game even though we were down the entire second half,” Vining said. “They displayed great sportsmanship and made us all very proud. We had an incredible season and have had a great run these past three years. It’s disappointing it’s over. They have been a wonderful group to coach. It’s hard to let go.”
    For the 13-3 Lady Warriors, goalie Mallory Lawlor blocked seven of 10 shots, while Van Buren’s Ashlie Wilson turned back eight of 11 shots.
    In the Lady Warriors’ quarterfinal game last Tuesday, the Southern Aroostook girls edged an evenly-matched Bangor Christian squad, 1-0 in overtime.
    “It was a hard fought game by both sides,” said Vining.
    The Lady Warriors controlled the possession of the ball through most of the first half with several scoring opportunities, said Vining.
HEADS THE BALL — Desirae Dubois of Southern Aroostook gets ready to head the ball on a play in last week’s Class D semifinal game against Van Buren.
    One shot hit the crossbar, while others were quality shots were picked up by Bangor Christian’s goalie.
    “She played a great game,” Vining said. Net keeper, Samantha Martin, turned back 12 of 18 shots for the 5-8-2 Patriots.
    For SACS, goalie Lawlor stopped all eight shots she faced.
    The Southern Aroostook defense stifled the Patriot offense in the first half, holding them to two shots on goal. But, Bangor Christian came out in the second half and started to win the ball more.
     The Patriots had a couple of breakaways, but couldn’t convert, as they let the ball go a little too soon on their shots.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
SENDS BALL — SACS Jasmine Rockwell sends the ball toward the net on a penalty kick duiring last Friday’s Class D semifinal against VanBuren. The Crusaders went on to win, 2-0.
    As the teams played a scoreless game, they went into overtime and it looked like a double session might be in order, but that was until a final drive by the Lady Warriors with 53 seconds left made the difference.
    Desirae Dubois passed the ball from midfield to Janel Rockwell on the left wing. Rockwell, who was unmarked, settled the ball and crossed it in the air in front of the goal mouth to sister Jasmine who headed the ball into the net for the game-winner.
    “The goal was timed beautifully,” Vining said.