HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton girls soccer team may have a different head coach this season, but the same winning formula appears to be in place.
No. 3 Houlton (13-2) scored early and often blasting its way past No. 6 Calais, 8-1, Tuesday evening in the Class C North quarterfinals. The victory marked the first postseason win for new head coach Marinna Cameron, a former Shire player who took over the program this year for veteran coach Tim Tweedie.
With No. 7 Mt. View upsetting No. 2 Calais, 5-1, in the other quarterfinal matchup, that means the Shires get to enjoy another home game for the semifinals. Houlton takes on Mt. View (10-6-1) 1 p.m. Saturday.
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- Olivia Henderson of Houlton prepares to blast in one of her two goals on the day Tuesday as Calais defender Libby Bitar (18) looks on during the Class C North quarterfinal. Houlton won 8-1. (Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
Houlton had previously beaten Calais twice during the season, 9-1 in Calais and 5-2 at home.
“It’s usually hard to beat a team three times in a season, so we knew today was going to be a battle,” coach Cameron said. “We are very happy with how this played out today.”
Houlton’s Bre Barton, back, collides with Calais goalkeeper Nedra Bassett during Tuesday’s Class C North quarterfinal game. Barton scored two goals to help Houlton to an 8-1 victory. (Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
The Shires were fast and furious with their scoring in Tuesday’s quarterfinal, breaking the scoring ice three minutes into the contest as Sierra Hoops snatched a pass from Olivia Henderson and beat Calais goalie Nedra Bassett for the first score of the game.
That goal opened up the scoring floodgates as Bre Barton quickly followed suit with a goal off another Henderson pass with 35:39 remaining. Emma Ardell scored for the Shires with 19:07 to play in the half, and that goal was quickly followed by a second goal for both Hoops and Barton (assisted by Hoops).
Maddie Marino rounded out the first half scoring with 14:32 to play off a feed from Barton for a 6-0 halftime lead. Marino and Henderson both added second half goals for the Shires.
The quick lead allowed coach Cameron to go to her bench early and often, as most of the starters enjoyed a lengthy break in the action.
“It’s really awesome to get so many young kids into the game,” Cameron said. “Next year, we will lose eight seniors, so getting all these girls in today should be beneficial down the road.”
Abbie Worthley made three saves in goal for Houlton, while Bassett had six saves for Calais. Sophie McVicar scored the lone goal for Calais with 25:03 to play in the contest. Calais ends its season with a 10-5 overall record.
