By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Washburn Beavers and Caribou Vikings are now the only teams from central Aroostook County who have not suffered a loss yet this season.
Washburn blanked Ashland Monday and also defeated Easton last week to move to 9-0. Caribou got past John Bapst and Madawaska in home matches and is now 5-0-1 on the season. Both the Beavers and the Vikings are in first place in their respective divisions, according to the latest release of the Heal Point standings for Eastern Maine classes D and B.
Presque Isle surrendered a late lead to Hermon Saturday to lose for the first time this season.
Summaries of matches played through Monday are as follows:
Washburn 6, Ashland 0 — At Presque Isle Monday, a hat trick by freshman Mackenzie Worcester, who increased her season goal total to 14, helped lift the Beavers to their ninth consecutive victory to begin the season.
Mikayla Churchill, Kennedy Churchill and Carmen Bragg were the other goal scorers for Washburn, which received a shutout in goal by Rayah Saucier (eight saves on eight shots).
“The girls are playing well as a team,” said Washburn coach Marcie Barbarula. “The offense and defense have been communicating very well and that is the key in every game.
“They work hard and continue to beat their opponents to the ball,” she added, “and we need to continue the same effort for the remainder of the season.”
Ashland’s Macie Bellanceau handled 14 of 20 shots sent her way. The Hornets’ record dropped to 1-6 with the loss.
Caribou 2, John Bapst 1 — At Caribou Saturday, the Vikings scored both their goals on set plays to upend the Crusaders and stay undefeated and atop the Eastern Maine Class B standings.
The Crusaders took the early lead on a direct kick off the foot of Abby Pyne from 35 yards out midway through the first half, but Caribou rallied as Paige Small scored off a restart indirect kick with 13:12 remaining before intermission. Sarae Sager picked up the assist on the tying goal.
Caribou then scored the lone second-half goal as Hannah Hebert converted a penalty kick after a John Bapst hand ball in the penalty area. The goal came with 14:06 to play.
Morgan Swan saved five of eight shots and has now allowed just two goals in her team’s first six contests. Mackenzie Hayman of John Bapst saved five of 13 shots.
Caribou, the defending Eastern Maine Class B champion, is now 5-0-1 overall and coach Todd Albert said many different factors have contributed to the strong start.
“We have been solid on defense and improving on offense,” he said. “Practices have been good and we are starting to put that play into the games. We just need to keep playing as a team and we will continue to improve.”
Fort Fairfield 3, Ashland 1 — The Tigers defeated the Hornets Friday in Fort Fairfield behind goals by Kylie Plourde, Nicole Giberson and Janae Libby.
The hosts moved to 5-2 on the campaign and are currently in second place in EM Class D. Abbey Player and Logan Bubar earned assists and goalie Katy Donovan turned away seven of eight shots for the winners.
Rachel Gillis scored the only goal for Ashland, with Bellanceau stopping 13 of 22 shots in net.
Washburn 7, Easton 1 — The Beavers continued their dominating play Thursday with a lopsided home win over the Bears.
Carsyn Koch and Worcester both had two goals, while Joan Overman, Bragg and Olivia Doody contributed one apiece. Koch is second on the team in goals with 12. Saucier faced just four shots and made three saves.
Halvorson helped her team avoid being shut out by tallying a goal for Easton. Ambrose was peppered for 32 shots and made 11 saves in goal for the Bears.
Madawaska 6, Limestone-MSSM 2 — The Eagles got a goal and an assist from Kennedi Smith, but that wasn’t enough as the host Owls cruised to the win Thursday.
Mariah Williams scored the other goal for Limestone-MSSM.
Nicole Cyr notched a hat trick for the winners. Goalie Amanda Nadeau made six saves on eight shots for Madawaska.
Karen Page handled the goalkeeping duties for Limestone-MSSM and had 15 saves on 23 shots.
Caribou 4, Madawaska 0 — The Vikings blanked the Owls at home last Wednesday, with Olivia Sleeper leading the way with two goals.
Jamie Martin netted one for the winners, while freshman Sarah Doak scored her first career goal. Katelyn Tardie assisted on two of the goals and Katie Keaton added one assist. Swan saved three of four shots.
Nadeau faced 32 shots and saved 14 of them in goal for the Owls.
Fort Fairfield 5, Easton 3 — Bubar led the way with two goals and two assists last Tuesday as Fort Fairfield prevailed at Easton.
Plourde, Libby and Lindsey Graves also scored for the Tigers, with Player and Kacie York contributing assists. Donovan had 19 saves on 26 shots for FF.
Halvorson had a goal and two assists and Frank and Babineau both netted goals for Easton.
