HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton boys and girls varsity soccer teams split their home openers with George Stevens Academy Saturday, with the Shire girls victorious 6-0, while the Houlton boys fell 6-3.
Brian Barton was pressed into double-duty, coaching both the varsity boys and girls teams, as the Shires girls soccer coach Marinna Cameron was unable to attend Saturday’s game. According to Houlton Principal Tim Tweedie, Cameron was deemed a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolating from her job at the school and coaching duties.
The Houlton girls rose to the occasion, scoring early and often en route to the shutout victory. The Shires struck just over one minute into the game as Gabby Gentle booted in a goal off a pass from Maddie Marino.
Bre Barton followed suit with a solo goal one minute later giving Houlton a quick 2-0 lead.
The Shires received additional first-half goals from Marino (off a pass from Olivia Henderson), Mia Henderson and Samantha Johnson (off a pass from Barton) to give Houlton a commanding 5-0 lead at the halftime break.
Johnson struck again in the second half, scoring on a pass from Marino with 19:12 remaining for the final tally of the game.
HOULTON, Maine — September 4, 2021 — Houlton’s Sophie Lorom (right) is guarded closely by George Stevens Academy’s Kailya Loukes during a Saturday girls soccer game in Houlton. The Shires beat GSA 6-0. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — September 4, 2021 — Houlton’s Breanne Barton (right) drives the ball past George Stevens Academy defender Aerneatine Bannon during a Saturday girls varsity soccer game in Houlton. The Shires beat GSA 6-0. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
In the boys contest, Houlton again was the first to break through as Shire Isiah Gentle scored just a few minutes into the game.
That lead was short lived however, as GSA rallied to take a 6-3 victory over Houlton.
Anden Weaver scored two goals to lead the Eagles, while David Gadsby had a goal and three assists; Monte Weaver had a goal and an assist; Fred Coit and Cyrus Blake each had one goal and Cameron Walden and Oliver Lardner each had an assist.
Jay Tweedie two goals and Brandon Barton tallied two assists.
HOULTON, Maine — September 4, 2021 — George Stevens Academy’s Reed Pambianco (left) is guarded closely by Houlton’s Zack Hoops during Saturday’s varsity boys soccer game in Houlton. GSA won 6-3. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — September 4, 2021 — Houlton goalie Konnor Lynds scoops up the ball for a save during a Saturday, Sept. 4 game against George Stevens Academy. Houlton fell 6-3 in the home opener. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — September 4, 2021 — Booting the ball toward the goal is George Stevens Academy’s David Gadsby (left) as Houlton’s Cody Johnston tries to break up the shot during a Saturday varsity boys soccer game in Houlton. GSA won 6-3. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
