By Meridith Paterson
Staff Writer
Ashland boys shut out Southern Aroostook 5-0 to confirm their second place Heal Standings and bring their record to 8-1-1 on Wednesday. Only a week before the Hornets had tied with the Warriors leaving them fired up for the rematch.
Contributed photo/Nancy Flint
CARL NEMER of Ashland takes a ball on the chest.
“We played much better this time,” said Hornet coach Kevin Paradis. “We had a good balanced attack and controlled the tempo from start to finish. Our non-starters gained more valuable minutes on the field.”
With 29:01 remaining in the first half, Tyler Cote kicked in the first goal assisted by Carl Nemer. Nemer scored the second in a penalty kick. In the second half of play, Nemer again got a shot past the Warrior keeper assisted by Ryan Carney. Jake Paradis and Nick Gimbel brought Ashland’s tally up to five to defeat Southern Aroostook.
Keepers Lucas Belanger and Bobby Gardiner blocked 16 shots.
Coming off their Wednesday win, the boys reigned over Katahdin leaving the field with 8-1 on the scoreboard. Cote netted four of the goals, two assisted by Nemer. In the first half, Nemer fired in his own goal. Late in the first half, Jeremy Tarr, assisted by Paradis, added to the Hornet score. Carney and John Casey both had second half faceoff victories over the Katahdin keeper.
Belanger and Gardiner turned back 25 shots to hold Katahdin at one.
“We seem to really be putting it together,” said Paradis. “We have two very tough games next week. I’m excited because we are playing well right now just as the regular season is winding down. I believe our best is still yet to come.”
The Lady Hornets confirmed their number-one standing in Eastern Class D Heal Point Standings with a 7-0 victory over the Southern Aroostook Lady Warriors on Wednesday.
Jackie Raymond sailed in two goals to pump up teammates Mindy Chasse, Jackie D’Ozier, Suzie Poulin, Macie Pelkey and Jessica Jimmo who each added their own goal. Whitney Flint and Jimmo each had one assist. Keeper Taylor Baker kept six balls from her net.
The girls outmatched Katahdin on Saturday to bring their record to 9-0-2.
“We had a good strong effort,” said coach Peter Belskis. “It was redemption for the last time we played Katahdin. The defense only allowed six shots.”
Autumn Condon and Chasse held back the two top Katahdin scorers, according to Belskis. They received three of the five stars the team gives out each game.
Flint had double first half scores, 17 for her season stats. Raymond and Pelkey later dribbled in their own points. Cook and Chasse both had assists. Baker made five saves to keep Katahdin scoreless.
“I think we’re starting to get our legs back after a little bump in the road,” said Belskis. “Even though we’re undefeated. I look for certain things for playoffs: intensity and defense. This game we had a lot of that back.”
PIHS soccer teams have a busy week
The Presque Isle ‘Cats dribbled to another victory last Tuesday at John Bapst with a 5-0 shutout. Russ Mortland netted the first goal followed by junior Eric Morris, who angled in the second point. The scoreboard showed 2-0 Wildcats at the end of the first half. In the second 40 minutes, Chad Carlin headed in a cross from Ethan Hill. Gerard Desjardins, assisted by Hill, and Parker Hovey outplayed the Crusader keeper to add one goal each to their stats. Wildcat goalie Dillon Kingsbury stopped six balls.
The following Thursday the boys blanked their second competitors of the week at Ellsworth. Steve Carmichael made the ‘Cat goal late in the first half, giving them the win. Kingsbury, again in goal, blocked four of the eight taps at the Presque Isle net.
The boys brought their week record to three wins in a home game against Central on Saturday, ending 9-1.
Carmichael booted in three goals, Warren Zubrick marked up two goals and two assists, Carlin double goals and one assist and Russ Mortland led the passing game with three assists and one score.
“We played almost outstanding,” said coach Scott Young. “Sometimes I expect perfection … We wanted a great team effort on defense and offense and it appears that’s what we have done. The team is clicking a little better.”
The Lady Wildcats fell to the Ellsworth Eagles on Wednesday 3-2. Presque Isle began the game four-players down on the starting lineup. Allisen Donovan took a knee to the face at the home match against Bucksport putting her on the bench. Amber Griffin obtained a knee injury during practice that may take her off the roster for the season. Both Hannah Cheney and Jodie Buckley have confirmed soccer injuries, which may keep them off the field for a significant period of time as well.
“We battled hard, but we were depleted,” said coach Ralph Michaud. “The younger kids are getting some experience under fire.”
Sarah Porter and Kayla Legassie made one goal each. Presque Isle failed to respond to Gabi Huebner’s goal with 28:08 left in the match. By the end of the game, Presque Isle lost another teammate to the injury bug when Katrina Whittier had to leave the pitch.
“A home game is just what we need,” commented Michaud, before the Central match.
It looked on Saturday like the Lady ‘Cats might make a home victory comeback against the Lady Red Devils. Legassie, Melissa McGary and Porter all netted a goal for the 3-2 lead toward the end of the second half. However, Central’s Randi McHugh, worked the ball past the PIHS defenders to tie the game. Neither team could break through in double overtime.
