’Cat boys lose for first time
Girls collect 3-1 victory
By Joseph Cyr
PRESQUE ISLE — At the halfway point, both Presque Isle soccer teams appear to be headed for another postseason appearance.
The Wildcat boys are now 7-1-1 on the season after Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Ellsworth. Presque Isle is currently the No. 2 seed in Eastern Class B with 43.5714 Heal points. Camden Hills (8-0-1, 53.1250) is the top-ranked team.
The Presque Isle girls (5-2-1, 31.6964 Heal points) are presently fourth in Eastern Class B, following a 3-1 victory over Ellsworth. Camden Hills (8-1, 62.5000) is the top seed.
In a rematch of last season’s Eastern Class B championship, this time the Wildcats were host to Ellsworth, but the outcome was still the same — a loss to the Eagles. Last year, Presque Isle fell 2-1 to Ellsworth in the regional championship.
The Wildcats were without the their head coach, Scott Young, who was away due to a family emergency. Assistant coach Tim McCue filled in for Young. Coming into Saturday’s game, both squads sported unbeaten records. Ellsworth emerged with its perfect streak intact and improved to 6-0.
Presque Isle goalie Andrew Kofstad made five saves on nine shots, but saw plenty of action in front of his net. The Eagles tested Presque Isle’s defense considerably with its long flip throws.
Cody Card scored a goal and assisted on two more to pace the Eagles. Nick Holt added a goal and assist for the Eagles, while Maks Grover and Kyle Haslam recorded a goal apiece. Andrew Austin added an assist and Jordan Carter made five saves on seven shots.
Wilder York and Brandon Bonville each scored a goal for Presque Isle, while Andrew Legassie and Isaac Lajoie each added an assist.
At Bucksport Wednesday, the Wildcats rolled to an 8-0 victory. Legassie, Josh Allen and York each scored two goals to spark Presque Isle, while Lajoie and Jameson Getman added solo goals. Kofstad turned away all three shots he faced.
Ryan Grindle made 26 saves on 35 shots for the Golden Bucks.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
MEETING OF THE MINDS — Caleb Mathers, left, of Presque Isle and Cote Card of Ellsworth knock heads as they leap for the ball during Saturday’s match in PI. The Eagles won, 4-2.
In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader with Ellsworth, the Presque Isle girls picked up a 3-1 victory thanks to a pair of goals from Chandler Guerrette.
“Ellsworth always plays us hard and physical, which is something that has been bothering us this year,” Wildcat coach Ralph Michaud said. “I liked the way we matched their physicality today. It didn’t hurt having Chandler get us on the scoreboard a minute and a half into the game.”
Guerrette opened the scoring 1:15 into the game as she converted a through pass from Kayla Richards. Ellsworth tied it five minutes later, as Annika Firestone launched a shot from 30 yards away that Stewart could not corral.
Presque Isle took the lead for good at the 22-minute mark when Chelsea Nickerson converted a direct kick. In the second half, Nickerson set up Guerrette’s second goal 1:42 into the half.
Meredith Stewart had four saves on six shots for the Wildcats while Jessica Toothaker saved 9 out of 12 for Ellsworth.
At Bucksport Thursday, Presque Isle romped to a 4-1 victory as Megan Ireland scored all four Wildcat goals. Nickerson, Haley Bouchard and Abbie Carrier each had an assist for PI. Stewart had six saves on seven shots.
“We’re getting there,” Michaud said. “There have been some games where we have played young, but today [Saturday] was not one of those days. Hopefully we can correct some of the young mistakes we’re making as the season rolls on.”
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
PUSH — Presque Isle’s Chelsea Lynds, left, gets shoved from behind by Ellsworth’s Katey Curtis during Saturday’s contest. The Wildcats prevailed, 3-1.