Shires enjoy goal-scoring ways; teams play hard

Shires off to strong start
    The Houlton boys are off to a strong start of 4-1, as the Shires have scored 29 goals against their opponents’ eight in their five games.
    On Saturday, the Shires added another victory over visiting Central of East Corinth, 8-0.
    George Bessa collected three goals, while Jordan Russell scored twice and added an assist. Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Micah Goetsch and Malik Abouleish all netted goals. Garry Fowler, Zach Harvey and Goetsch all chipped in with assists in the win. Goalie Cody Briggs preserved the shutout by stopping all five shots he faced.
SHOT ON GOAL — Houlton newcomer George Bessa delivers a shot on goal against Shenck. The Shires defeated Schenck, 8-0 behind Bessa’s four goals.
    For Central, Tony Underhill blocked 20 of 30 shots faced in the goal.
    Last Thursday, the Shires defeated Schenck, 8-0, behind Bessa’s four goals. Dylan Gard scored a goal and racked up a couple of assists, while Fitzpatrick scored and assisted on a tally. Isaac Cone and Craig Thomas each added goals in the win. Goetsch, Fowler, Abouleish and Russell all had assists. In goal, Briggs had two saves on three shots.
    For Schenck, goalie Eric Theriault was peppered with 45 shot attempts. He turned back 20.
    The Shires picked up a 7-2 win over Katahdin last Tuesday in Stacyville.
    The Shires’ Fowler knocked in four goals and Fitzpatrick added three more, while Bessa and Russell each chipped in with assists. Goalie Briggs made six saves on 13 shots for the 2-1 Shires.
    For Katahdin, 1-2-1, Mickey Savage had a goal and assist, while Kolby Gallagher also scored. Jesse McNally rejected 20 of 35 shots on goal.
    The Ashland Hornets had their best offensive showing of the season at home Monday, but the Cougars got a big game from Micah Rodgerson in recording the 7-4 victory.
BUMPED — Houlton’s Jessy Dickison gets bumped by a Schenck player as the two go for the ball during last Thursday’s game at the Houlton soccer field. The Lady Shires won, 6-1.
    Rodgerson had three goals and assisted on another to lead Katahdin, now 2-2-1 on the campaign.
    Royce MacDonald notched a hat trick and Kenny Tarr had a goal and an assist for the 0-7-1 Hornets. Tyler Chasse and Alex O’Clair both added assists. Keith Holmes saved 22 of 29 shots in goal for Ashland.
Lady Shires split
    The Houlton girls varsity soccer team, 3-3, took a split with their opponents this week, as they fell to visiting Central of East Corinth, 6-2 after playing a strong game against Schenck, 6-1.
    On Saturday, Abby Kinens and Bre Longstaff both scored for Houlton, while Amanda Fogarty and Chelsi Murray each assisted on the tallies. Goalie Marina Cameron stopped 7 of 15 shots.
    Also during the game, Megan Wittine, daughter of Jeremy Wittine and Michelle Guy Wittine,  granddaughter to Art and Linda Wittine, also Nancy Bledsoe and the late Dennis Guy and great granddaughter of Wendell and Pat Guy, scored her first varsity goal for 3-1 Central.
    Central goalie Samantha Brownell saved four of seven shots.
    Last Thursday, the Lady Shires overtook Schenck, 6-1 behind Kinens’ hat trick and assist.
    Fogarty tallied a goal and two assists, while Tara Beals had a goal and an assist. Abby Deveau scored the other goal for Houlton, while Murray added an assist. Goalie Cameron made three saves on six shots.
LOOKING — Houlton’s Mikala Folsom knocks the ball away from a Schenck defender and looks up for an open teammate during last Thursday’s game in Houlton. The Lady Shires defeated the Wolverines, 6-1.
    For Schenck, Kristin Thompson and Kaprice Tompkins blocked 14 of 21 shots faced.
SACS wins
    The Southern Aroostook boys soccer team made it look easy as they dropped visiting Ashland, 11-0 last Wednesday through bursts of rain, causing a slick field before the sunshine.
    Jake Lassonde (two assists) and Pat Goodall (an assist) led the charge with two goals apiece, while Anthony Diaferio and Cody Lassonde both had a goal and assist for the winners. Cody Robinson, Dylan Willette, Taylor Locke, Dylan Porter and David Dubois all scored.
    Jesse McNally and Will McGary combined in goal to stop two of three shots faced for the 7-0 Warriors.
    For the Hornets, goalie Keith Holmes blocked eight of 22 shots.
Hodgdon defeats East Grand
    Last Tuesday, the Hodgdon Lady Hawks earned their second win in seven outings with a 2-1 victory over visiting East Grand.
LOOSE BALL — Houlton’s Ben Ward battles a Schenck player for a loose ball during last Thursday night’s game in Houlton.
    Britta Oliver and Macy Palmer provided the scoring for Hodgdon, while goalie Marissa Malone stopped 6 of 10 shots faced.
    For East Grand, Shaunna Beaudoin tallied a goal, while goalie Kim Armstrong blocked 20 of 31 shots faced for the 0-3 Lady Vikings.