VAN BUREN – The Fort Fairfield Tigers picked up road victories over Van Buren Monday to open regular season play for Aroostook County soccer squads.
The FF boys managed a 1-0 victory over the Crusaders in game one of the doubleheader. The only goal of the game came in the first half and was scored by Johnny Theriault off a Carter Shaw assist.
Dalton Cassidy recorded the shutout in goal for the Tigers. Marc Lajoie handled the goalkeeping duties for VB.
The Tiger girls came through with a 6-2 triumph in the second game of the evening.
After Parise Rossignol got Van Buren on the scoreboard 17 minutes into the game by converting a direct kick, Logan Bubar of FF answered five minutes later off a Syndey Churchill assist.
With the score tied at intermission, the Tigers scored twice. Emily Blaisdell tallied a header two minutes into the second half before Janae Libby made it 3-1 with an unassisted goal midway through the half.
Rossignol hit on another direct kick to narrow the margin to one before Fort netted three goals in a five-minute span – two by Bubar and the other by freshman Morgann Towle. Nicole Giberson picked up an assist on one of Bubar’s goals.
“The game was a hard-fought battle,” said FF coach Kerrie Alley. “It was a great confidence-booster to open the season and team play led to the victory.”
FF goalie Megan Jellison had six saves on 13 shots, with Sarah Watt coming on to play goal late in the contest. Van Buren’s Courtney Parent saved 15 of 27 shots.
The Fort teams are back to work today as they host Limestone-MSSM in 4 p.m. contests.
Easton and Washburn make their season debuts this afternoon as the two schools meet for a doubleheader at Washburn beginning at 3:30 p.m.
On Friday, Central Aroostook plays at Washburn, with the girls game set to begin at 3 p.m. and the boys game to follow at 5 p.m.
Limestone-MSSM make the short trip to Van Buren that same day, with the boys playing at 5 p.m. and the girls at 7 p.m.
On Monday, Limestone-MSSM plays at Hodgdon and Wisdom is at Washburn in both girls and boys action. All four games get under way at 4 p.m.
The high school golf season begins Tuesday with a three-team match being played at Aroostook Valley Country Club.
Central Aroostook and Houlton are scheduled to make the trip to Fort Fairfield to take on the Tigers beginning at 1:30 p.m. with the Shires vs. Tigers match.
