by
Jack Scott
The girls’ soccer team lost a frustrating game to Searsport 2-1. We took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Allyson Eaton assisted by Natalie Knowlton. We had many more good chances and I really thought we would have a bigger lead the way we were playing. Searsport also had a golden opportunity that goalie Shiann Closson made a great save on.
We gave up a soft goal in the second half, and despite several rushes, we weren’t able to get back on top. With two and a half minutes left, Searsport was able to get a clear shot at the goal and put it in. We gave it all we had, but couldn’t put a good shot on goal. I really felt we were robbed, but soccer is that kind of sport. Sometimes you do things right and you can’t catch a break. We had seven shots on goal and Searsport had three.
The girls redeemed themselves by beating Sumner 2-1. We scored first on a goal by Paige Rollins assisted by Chelsea Brown. With seven minutes left in the half, Sumner scored on a penalty shot to tie the score at the half. About halfway through the second half, Paige Rollins scored another goal assisted by Holli Boyce.
Despite dominating the play in the second half, that was the only goal we scored. Goalie Shiann Closson kept us in the game with a couple diving saves. We definitely played with more energy and focus in this game. Shiann Closson made six saves on 10 shots and Sumner made 13 saves on 23 shots.
Boys soccer
The boys’ soccer team lost to Searsport 4-1. We came out flat and Searsport was motivated and scored 4 goals in the first half. This was a game that we felt we could win, but just didn’t come ready to play. We gave a better effort in the second half, with Pat Duddy scoring off a direct kick. However, despite playing with more energy, we couldn’t get any more goals.
As if things weren’t hard enough for Coach Bennett Morey’s squad, we lost four players to academics before the next game against Jonesport Beals. Though we lost the match 4-0; this was a strong effort with us only fielding 10 players. We gave up two quick goals in the first five minutes, but held them off for the rest of the half. In the second half Cody Eaton was injured, leaving us with nine players in the field.
Though the score was one sided, the players made an extreme effort to keep the scoring as low as they did, being at such a disadvantage. Matt Duddy played in goal for the first half and Pat Duddy played in goal the second half. We did manage a few shots in the first half as Jonesport saved five of our six shots and we saved 23 of their 30 shots.
The girls at 3-6-1 slipped back into a tenuous tenth place with their win, but control their destiny with four big games this week. We need to keep playing with the commitment we showed at Sumner. We are passing and moving the ball well, but have trouble finishing the shot to score the goals we need. If we can’t find the motivation to play hard now, we won’t be in the playoffs.
The boys are up against it with only 10 eligible players and one of those injured. Coach Morey hopes he might get a few of the players back from grades by Saturday’s game. With only nine or 10 players it is almost impossible to compete with the caliber of most of the teams we play.
