By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The undefeated season continued for the Caribou girls varsity soccer team Saturday as the team got past Old Town, 2-1.
The Vikings are now 7-0-1 on the season and in first place in Eastern Maine Class B heading into today’s contest in Bar Harbor against Mount Desert Island. The team is also on the road for its next two matches — Saturday in Bangor against John Bapst and Tuesday at Foxcroft Academy.
Contributed photo/jMavor Photography
Senior captain Katie Keaton heads the ball in front of an Old Town defender on Caribou’s home field Saturday under the lights. The undefeated Lady Vikings went on to win the game, 2-1.
“Right now we are just trying to win one game at a time,” said Caribou coach Todd Albert. “Being No. 1 in Heal Points, we are going to get everyone’s best shot and we have to be prepared to step up our game.”
Despite losing nine players from the 2010 team that won an Eastern Maine title, Albert said he isn’t surprised by his squad’s start to this season.
“We have many girls who have put in a lot of time to improve, and that shows,” he added.
In Class D, Washburn continued to lead the way with its 10-0 record. Fort Fairfield is second at 6-3-1, with Easton in fourth at 6-4-1 and Central Aroostook fifth at 4-4-3. The top 11 teams qualify for the playoffs in this division. Ashland (12th, 1-8-1) and Limestone-MSSM (16th, 2-6-1) need to finish strong to get into the playoff picture.
Summaries of matches played through Sept. 26 are as follows:
Caribou 2, Old Town 1 – Olivia Sleeper’s goal eight minutes into the second half, off a Katelynn Tardie assist, snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the Vikings the home victory Saturday.
Tardie put Caribou on top off a Katie Keaton assist 2:50 into the game before the Coyotes tied it thanks to Meagan Cousins’ goal with just over six minutes to play before intermission.
“Old Town played hard and we didn’t connect on our passes at times, and that caused us a few problems,” Albert said. “I’m happy with the win, but I know we can play better.”
Morgan Swan saved five of nine shots in goal for Caribou. Old Town’s Ashley Abbott had seven saves on 13 shots.
Caribou has given up just three goals in its eight matches. Albert said Swan has been outstanding in goal, while Hannah Hebert, Kendra Stephens, Reanna Plourde and Alissa Randolph have been the key contributors on defense.
Central Aroostook 1, Fort Fairfield 1 – The Panthers and Tigers played to a tie Thursday in Mars Hill, with Rachael Grew scoring on corner kick 10 minutes into the second half for CA’s goal after the Tigers had held the lead on a Janae Libby tally which came just a few minutes earlier.
Fort Fairfield led in the shots on goal department, 18-9, with the duo of Vicki McIntyre and Michaela King combining for 13 saves for CA and Fort’s Katy Donovan turning away five shots.
Washburn 3, Limestone-MSSM 0 – At Limestone last Tuesday, the Beavers remained perfect on the season behind goals from Carsyn Koch, Kristi Sperrey and Maegan Fitzpatrick and a shutout by goalkeeper Rayah Saucier, who saved 13 shots in the contest.
Jordyn Hopkins came up with 26 saves on 32 shots for the Eagles.
“We played with them for three quarters of the game but lost steam at the end,” said Eagles coach Mike Dugal. “[Washburn] is well conditioned, has strong team unity and is well coached.
“We were told after that this was their toughest challenge so far, so I think we are progressing nicely. We hope to surprise someone and hopefully squeak into the playoffs,” he added.
