SACS girls take tough loss

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The No. 4 ranked Southern Aroostook Lady Warriors hosted No. 5 Van Buren in the Eastern Maine Class D quarterfinals on Oct. 25 in Dyer Brook.
    The Crusaders, behind Parisse Rossignol, advanced to the semifinals and upset No. 1 Washburn, 2-1 in overtime. They will now travel to meet No. 2 Penobscot Valley in the regional final today. The regional winner will advance to the state final to be held Nov. 5 at Falmouth High School.
    “We played a great first half against Van Buren,” said SACS girls coach Jon Porter. “It was a tough one for us.”
    The Lady Warriors held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but gave way in the second half to costly penalties for a 4-1 loss.
Contributed photograph/SACS
LOOSE BALL — Morgan Gustin, right, of Southern Aroostook and a Van Buren player chase down a loose ball during last Tuesday’s Class D quarterfinal.The Lady Warriors fell 4-1.
    Olivia Raymond scored the opening tally, booting the ball into the net from 25 yards out.
    But, Rossignol brought the Crusaders back in the second half with three goals. About three minutes into the second half, Rossignol scored off a corner kick.
    “She took the corner and [curved] the ball in the upper 90 in the back side of the net,” said Porter. “It was the prettiest corner kick I have seen in a while. Mallory Lawlor [SACS goalie] had no chance to stop it.”
    Within the next 10 minutes, Rossignol buried a direct kick from 25 yards away to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage.
    “She struck the ball and Mallory had a good break on it, but it deflected off one of our defenders into the opposite corner of the goal,” explained Porter.
    Porter said another 10 minutes went by and Rossignol scored her third goal off another direct kick.
    “She was less than five yards off the end line and similar to the corner kick she scored on. She placed the ball in the upper half of the goal in the side of the net,” Porter added. “There was just nothing we could do.”
    The final Crusader goal came a few minutes later with Rossignol on the assist to Nicole Bourgoin. Bourgoin booted in a corner kick from Rossignol.
    “Looking back at the game, Van Buren scored all of their goals off set plays,” said Porter. “I felt defensively we did a great job containing Rossignol.  Van Buren took advantage of their opportunities and converted on some great goals.
    “I was very pleased with how we competed and thought we played with them pretty even,” he added. “That’s the game of soccer, especially in the playoffs, teams are usually pretty evenly matched. It comes down to converting the chances you get and getting a lucky bounce once in while.”
    The Lady Warriors finish the season at 9-4-2.
    The Lady Warriors’ five senior captains — Raymond, Lawlor, Jillian Diaferio, Kaitlyn Sommers and Morgan Gustin —  had played all four years in the program, including being part of two state championship teams.
    “They were leaders on and off the field and their contributions will be missed,” said Porter.
    Diaferio was an All-Aroostook selection and led the Lady Warriors in scoring with 17 goals and four assists.
    “She was able to stretch out the defense with her speed up front,” Porter said.
    Raymond was another All-Aroostook selection, and according to her coach, she controlled the center of the field and “has been instrumental in the team’s success this season.” She scored six goals and had one assist.
    Sommers, who played the midfield and defensive back positions, dealt with illness during the middle of the season, but was able to come back and be a “strong contributor to the team,” Porter added. She had one goal on the year.
    Gustin played midfield for the first half of the season and then converted to defense, according to Porter. “She became a solid member of the defense. Her willingness to do what was best for the team exemplified the leadership these seniors showed all season.”
    Lawlor will be missed in goal, as she started every game for the team.
    “She anchored the defensive effort,” said Porter. “She came up with some huge saves all season to keep us in games.”
    Porter noted that the Lady Warriors’ highlights of the year included: winning two games in less than 24 hours, which included a win at PVHS, who were previously undefeated. The Lady Warriors outscored their opponents 51-21 and defensively, prior to the quarterfinal loss to Van Buren, they had not given up more than two goals in a game and also recorded three shutouts.
    Players who may return bring back a solid nucleus making this team very competitive in Class D.
    Juniors Katie Goodall (9 goals and 4 assists), Desirae Dubois (6 goals and 3 assists), along with Beth Bishop (5 goals and 1 assist) will return some scoring potential, as they all contributed to the offensive scheme this year. 
    Juniors Ria Kinney and Kristen Tarr played stopper and sweeper respectively and “did a fantastic job in their respective roles,” said Porter. “They will be called upon to anchor the defense again next season.”
    Sophomores Mataya Hartin and Taylor Desmond (1 goal) did a great job as well this season.
    “Taylor missed the majority of the season due to injury,” explained Porter. “Mataya started every game as an outside fullback and was solid in her play. She uses her body very well to shield the ball away from oncoming attackers. With Tarr and Kinney returning, the defensive line will be solid next year.”
    Freshmen Katie Prescott ( 4 goals and 1 assist), Cassidy Lyons (1 goal), Kylie Dunphy (1 goal), Shaydin Lillis (1 assist), Jessica Nye, Madison Parr and Aimee Cottle all improved tremendously, according to their coach.
    “They were solid contributors to the team’s success,” said Porter. “I am looking forward to seeing their progression next season.”
    Porter enjoyed getting back into the coaching ranks, as he has taken a few years off.
    “The girls have worked hard and have been very coachable,” he said. “They represented themselves, their families, their school, and their community with dignity and pride.  I am very proud that this group of girls went the entire season without earning any yellow or red cards. They played the game hard, but also fair.  It has been a pleasure.”