Intensity leads to QF win

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Making adjustments at halftime is one of many keys to success in sports.
    So when Houlton boys soccer coach Mike Carlos lit into his players at halftime of Wednesday’s Eastern Class C quarterfinal game with Dexter, urging them to play with more intensity, his team listened.
    With his team leading 2-1 at the break, Carlos urged the No. 3 Shires (12-2-1) to do a better job of communicating on the field and to make better use of their natural physicality, particularly on defense, to shut down Dexter in the second half. His squad did precisely that, keeping the No. 6 Tigers (11-4-1 overall) off the scoreboard in the second half, while depositing two insurance goals into the net for the 4-1 victory.
Houlton Pioneer Times/Joseph Cyr
FIGHTING — Houlton’s Jimmy Fitzpatrick, right, works to get position on a Dexter opponent, as they chase the ball. The Shiretowners defeated Dexter, 4-1, and Madawaska 1-0 to play in today’s scheduled Eastern Maine Class C final against Orono.
    Houlton’s Jimmy Fitzpatrick tallied three goals, while Kyle Bouchard added a solo goal and Dan Swallow chipped in an assist.
    “My team got me the ball as we were able to control the ball down in their end a lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “I like to stay in good game, because I think I play better in closer games. Thankfully, we showed who the better team was here tonight.”
    Goalie Kole Buzzeo had five saves on nine shots for the Shires, while Vinnie Malinauskus made four saves on 12 shots for the Tigers. Houlton held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
    For Dexter, who beat George Stevens Academy 5-1 in a preliminary playoff, Ryan Wilks scored off a Matt Crane assist.
    Houlton advanced to face No. 2 Madawaska (12-0-2) Saturday in the semifinals at Madawaska. The Owls beat No. 10 Sumner 10-7 in a game also played Wednesday. During the regular season, Madawaska beat Houlton 4-3 at Houlton and tied the Shires 2-2 at Madawaska.
    Carlos, however, was not expected to be with the team for that game as he underwent knee replacement surgery on Thursday and did not think he would be released from the hospital in time to make the game. He broke the news to his team after the game. The surgery was originally scheduled for March, at the end of basketball season. But when he injured his right knee, the surgery to his left knee was postponed, as doctor’s replaced the right knee first.
    Carlos said he expected to be released from the Portland hospital sometime Saturday morning, but doubted he could make a 3 p.m. game in time to be with the team at Madawaska.
    Dexter coach Peter Murray said his squad was not prepared for the physicality shown by Houlton.
    “We are more of a ball control team and this was kind of a throwback game,” Murray said. “I played back in the 1970s, and that’s what this game reminded me of. It’s a style that lended itself more to their style than ours. The more physical team won today.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Joseph Cyr
TAKES IT IN THE AIR — Lucas Anderson of Houlton heads the ball during last week’s game against Dexter.
    Coach Carlos did not agree with that characterization of the game.
    “I disagree whole-heartedly,” he said. “We play an aggressive style, but if you look at the good soccer teams throughout the world, they play aggressive. Aroostook County soccer is more physical, which is more in tune to what is going on nationally. I don’t think they were ready for that.”
    After two near scores by Dexter in the game’s opening minutes, Houlton’s Bouchard broke the scoring ice. Bouchard took a deep throw-in from Swallow with 30:44 to play and sent a high, looping shot that bounced over the head of Malinauskus and skirted just under the crossbar.
    Dexter wasted no time evening the score as Wilks worked the ball toward Houlton’s net, made a nifty move to juke out a Shire defender and blasted a shot into the right-hand corner of the net with 29:52 to play.
    “We never really got our offense going,” Murray said. “The middle of the field was so rough that we couldn’t get anything generated. We made a few runs at the end, but it was too little, too late. Obviously, we were a little disappointed with the way things turned out today. We had a great year and had a lot to be proud of.”
    In the second half, Fitzpatrick took over scoring his second and third goals of the game at the 29:32 and 12:09 marks respectively. Fitzpatrick’s final goal, a blistering shot to the upper portion of the net, even had his coach in awe.
    “That was a fantastic goal,” Carlos said. “You don’t usually sees goals like that at this level.”