By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU – The Viking girls continued their undefeated season, while the boys team picked up a much-needed tie in high school soccer action this past week.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Caribou’s Laura Collins applies tough defense on Old Town’s Katie Deschaine during Saturday’s match in Old Town. The Vikings kept their undefeated record intact with the 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
Jenna Selander scored the game-winner with 3:36 to play at Old Town Saturday, leading Caribou to a come-from-behind victory.
The Vikes trailed 1-0 at intermission, but Olivia Sleeper scored six minutes into the second half before Selander came through with the tie-breaking goal. The win improved Caribou’s record to 8-0-1 heading into a game at John Bapst Thursday and Saturday’s home game against Bucksport.
“This was our first time being down at the half, but we didn’t get rattled,” said Viking coach Todd Albert. “We were able to stay composed and did a good job passing the ball and playing good soccer.”
Morgan Swan stopped two of four shots in goal for Caribou.
The Caribou boys played to their third draw of the season Saturday, using a goal by Chad Caverhill 4:58 into the game to break out in front before the Coyotes had scored with 4:58 remaining in regulation, with Ville Pontinen doing the honors.
It was the seventh goal of the season for Caverhill, who leads the team in that department.
Garrett Jordan sparkled in net for the Vikes, saving 17 of 29 shots.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Garrett Jordan, goalkeeper for the Caribou Vikings, grabs the ball to thwart a scoring attempt by Old Town’s Lucas Baillargeon during Saturday’s match. Jordan had 17 saves on the afternoon as Caribou tied the Coyotes, 1-1.
“He has been outstanding,” said Caribou coach Mark Shea. “He was under a tremendous amount of pressure, but got the job done.”
On Thursday, the Viking squads traveled to Ellsworth, with the girls getting two goals from Jenna Selander and another from Paige Small in a 3-0 triumph.
“This was a physical game we were able to pull out,” Albert said. “We started slow, but the girls played with great effort.”
The Eagle boys stayed undefeated with a 4-0 victory. “We created quite a few scoring opportunities and held them to just one goal in the first half,” Shea said. “I thought we played pretty well against a very talented team.”
Ellsworth’s Andrew Austin set up two of his team’s goals with long flip throw-ins. Jordan finished with 10 saves on 26 shots for Caribou. “He kept us close,” Shea said.
The Viking boys also play John Bapst and Bucksport the rest of this week and Shea said the team still has the chance to be a playoff team, “but we need to start getting wins,” he said. Caribou is now 2-4-3 on the year.
Albert said his girls team is excelling in several different facets.
“We’re playing good team soccer. We’re getting some good offense, strong play by the midfielders and defense and our goalie, Morgan Swan, has done an excellent job,” Albert said. “Plus we are getting some quality minutes from the subs.”
He added that one aspect his team could improve on is finishing offensive attempts. “We’re getting some good opportunities, and if we are able to finish it makes us much better.”
Selander has a team-high 13 goals, with Sleeper next with 10. The scoring is balanced after that, with several players chipping in between one and three goals so far. Jamie Martin leads in assists with six, followed by Small with five.
