Annual summer soccer tourney

By Jane Mavor
Special to the Pioneer Times
    “This was the fifth year for the girls 7 versus 7 round robin soccer tourney, and the largest tournament that we have had with 16 teams from 11 different schools participating,” Caribou coach Todd Albert said.
    The soccer tournamet played in Caribou featured a team from Mattanawcook, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Washburn, Ashland, Fort Kent and Central Aroostook.     Houlton, Madawaska and Presque Isle came with two teams, and Caribou had three teams participating. With that many athletes to play, and fields modified, a coordinated effort for smooth transition between games was important, Albert said.
jMavor Photography
DRIBBLES — Mikaelah Tracy of the Houlton dribbles past a Madawaska player in a prelim game.
    The 16 teams were divided into two groups of eight, and each team played seven 15-minute games against each other. Kick off started promptly, as teams were off to getting their soccer legs again, crossbars were hit, corner kicks were adjusted and the new influx of incoming freshmen tried to match up against seasoned players.
    After group play, the playoffs matched the top four teams from each group against each other. Eight teams participated in the quarter finals. In the semi-finals, teams appeared to be evenly matched. Fort Kent beat Caribou yellow on penalty kicks, Presque Isle 2 beat Caribou green with penalty kicks and in the final Fort Kent came away with the tourney title after beating Presque Isle 2, once again, with penalty kicks.