PI girls follow up win with 2 ties, Panthers pull off upset

The Red Sox and Yankees were not the only long time rivals to face each other Thursday as the Presque Isle varsity girls’ soccer team traveled to Caribou to take on the Lady Vikings in an early-season match up of the two long-time rivals.     The two teams started play in the rain with Presque Isle going on the offensive to take an early lead. However, Caribou tied up the game shortly after off a corner kick.
As the second half progressed, the Wildcats continued to press the Caribou defenders resulting in a few near net misses. Both teams made pushes on offense trying to break the tie before the end of regulation time, but solid defense on both ends prevented either from avoiding overtime.
The two teams then battled through overtime without scoring and settled for the 2-2 deadlock.
“We felt a little frustrated tying the game when we hit the post three times,” said PI coach Ralph Michaud. “If you didn’t care who won or lost, it was a very exciting game.”
Junior Kayla Legassie’s two goals, one of which was unassisted, powered the offense for the Presque Isle girls. Midfielder Sarah Porter earned an assist and senior goaltender Allisen Donovan turned in a solid performance between the posts for the Wildcats.
Jenna Selander and Ali Richards both knocked in goals for Caribou, with Abby Small and Lydia Keiffer also earning assists.
Sophomore goalie Brittany Doak had another strong outing in goal for the Caribou girls.
Presque Isle beat Fort Kent last Tuesday, 2-1, to open its home season on the new turf field. Shantelle Cyr scored the game-winning goal with 29:20 to play after Kayla Legassie had scored PI’s first goal seven minutes into play. Emily Pelletier tied the game early in the second half for Fort Kent to set up Cyr’s heroics.
On Saturday, Michaud was pleased with the “tremendous heart” displayed by his team in a 1-1 tie against a talented John Bapst squad. Brittany Bearden scored the tying goal with 55 seconds to play for the Lady Wildcats.
The Central Aroostook girls recorded their biggest win of the season Monday, besting Washburn in double overtime, 2-1. Latisha Neece scored both of her team’s goals, including the game-winner 3:21 into the second OT session. Morgan Berube scored off a Rebecca Campbell pass for Washburn, who outshot the Lady Panthers, 18-6.
“Defensively, we played a great game,” said CA coach Dave Collins. “They definitely outshot us, but the quality of their shots were not good ones for the most part because our defense wasn’t allowing many clear-cut looks.
“Offensively, we moved the ball well on the ground with our passing. Both of Latisha’s goals were among the better goals you will see in a high school girls game.”
CA moved to 3-3-2 with the win. CA had battled Wisdom to a 0-0 tie Friday in its only other game played last week.
Washburn picked up a big win at Van Buren last Tuesday, 1-0, but tied Ashland Friday 1-1. Alex Bird’s goal off a Charley Chandler assist was the difference in the victory at Van Buren. Rachel Palmer was stellar in goal, saving all nine shots she faced for the shutout.
“It was our strongest test and we held up real well,” said Washburn coach Ron Ericson. “I was pleased with our veterans and happy with our younger players. We have high expectations thrust on us, but the young kids have to play well if we are going to be good this year and last Tuesday, they did.”
Bird was also the goal scorer against Ashland. The Beavers now stand at 4-2-1 on the year.
Fort Fairfield battled Van Buren to a scoreless tie Friday after falling to Katahdin last Wednesday, 4-1. The Lady Tigers are now 3-3-1 on the campaign.
Ashland blitzed Easton last Tuesday, 12-0, behind two goals apiece by Mindy Chasse, Jackie D’Ozier and Whitney Flint. In the tie against Washburn, Flint had the Lady Hornet goal. Ashland, now 3-0-1, and CA are scheduled to play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Mars Hill.