Monthly Archives: September 2017

September 30, 2017 · 7:46 pm

Two Tristen Chaine second-half goals spark Lake Region’s 4-2 win over Poland

Tristen Chaine (#2 in white uniform) finds the far right side of the Poland net.

The Knights celebrate their first goal in five games.

(Naples ME) I love these matchups!

Put two hardworking teams together, throw out the records and catch the excitement.

And there was plenty of excitement today as visiting Poland fell to Lake Region, 4-2, on a chilly Saturday morning/afternoon of Class B South boys’ soccer.

Lake Region senior Tristen Chaine was the difference maker in the final outcome with two second half tallies.

The Knights controlled play for much of the first half but opportunistic LR jumped in front, 2-0, on rebound scores by junior Jacob Arey.

Paul Vigna (11) defended by Andrew Frechette moves in on outcoming Poland goalie Matt Thebarge

But Poland, which hadn’t registered a goal in four games, got an answer as sophomore Cooper Keene put in his own rebound with 8:57 left in the first half.

The Knights carried that 2-1 deficit to halftime and the closeness of the score was unfamiliar ground for the visitors. In a season of frequent bulging first-half deficits, here was a game they had a solid chance to win.

Poland tied the score on a lovely corner kick/header conversion with 31:54 remaining. We now had ourselves a ballgame!

I think the chilly weather really helped both teams by lessening the fatigue that the recent high heat brought. And I think the fact that both teams were in a winnable position in the second half was also an inspiration. Take your pick of the reasons. We saw minutes full of back-and-forth runs with a significant number of near misses and goalie stops as the game continued tied.

Tristen Chaine found crucial open space in the second half

But then Tristen Chaine took over. The senior showed the knack of beating defenders off the dribble during most of the game. Twice, with the game tied in the second half, those moves into space allowed him to launch left-footed rockets from the left. One at 14:00 and another at 9:02. Knights goalie Matt Thebarge had no chance on either shot as both were hard-hit and both found the upper right corner of the Poland net.

Those goals turned out to be the difference in the final 4-2 outcome.

Four minutes after the first Tristen goal, the Lakers were awarded a penalty kick when Poland captain Sam Walker took down Giovani Lopez in the penalty area. Giovani took the PK but his low shot was blocked by Matt Thebarge.

I thought, at the time, that Matt’s big save might spark a Knights’ counterattack and a possible tying goal but instead within a minute Tristen tallied his second score to increase Poland’s deficit to two.

Jacob Arey (8) converted two rebounds into goals.

Jacob Arey’s two first-half goals were almost identical. He was on the right side as first Paul Vigna, and later Jason Harlow, had one-on-one’s versus Poland GK Matt Thebarge. Matt made two gutsy blocks but both produced rebounds that went directly to Jacob with open nets to shoot at. Jacob didn’t miss on either opportunity.

Noah Breton’s goal was a beauty. Captain Sam Walker’s corner kick was head high and Noah’s was the head that connected with it. LR goalie CJ Ferguson had the middle of the net covered but Noah’s header went into the left corner. Nice play.

There were no cautions and very little contact.

I was impressed with the Vigna brothers (Paul/Peter). Peter had several key defensive plays to stymy Poland surges.

There were a few raindrops in the first half. A few more and I might have gone to my car and if I had I would have missed a very good game.

Poland (0-9) hosted Lake Region (2-8) on September 12^th and lost 3-1. LR took a 3-0 halftime lead and held off the Knights in the second half. This time around the Knights were in a tie game until the final fifteen minutes.

The Lakers had scored only two goals in their previous six games making today’s four-goal effort a welcome change.

Matt Thebarge blocked Giovani Lopez’s PK

Last time I saw the Lakers’ Matt Mayo in action was during this summer’s, “Wizard of Oz.” Terrific show.

I did the Fryeburg Academy/Leavitt football game at FA last Saturday. That day I was looking for shade (temps in the high 80’s). Today was a bracing 35 degrees cooler. I had four layers on!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Giovani Lopez (7) chased by Isaac Austin

loose ball

Tristen Chaine chased by Andrew Frechette and Brayden Gurney

GK Matt Thebarge looks to save

Freshman Logan Parsons pressed by sophomore Cooper Keene

Paul Vigna (11) in on Knights GK Matt Thebarge

Defender/Actor Matt Mayo tangles with Cooper Keene

Sam Walker

Noah Breton gets his head on Sam Walker’s corner kick

Noah Breton’s header sails past CJ Ferguson

Freshman Jason Harlow assisted on the second LR goal

Sophomore Noah Breton

Poland coach David Coyne questions a call

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Filed under Lake Region, Poland

Tagged as CJ Ferguson, Cooper Keene, Giovani Lopez, Jacob Arey, Jason Harlow, Matt Mayo, Matt Thebarge, Paul Vigna, Peter Vigna, Tristen Chaine

September 23, 2017 · 10:10 pm

Leavitt stays undefeated in Class C South with 17-14 win over Fryeburg Academy

Leavitt’s Eli Lind steps into a successful 26-yard field goal

Nothing but open field for Jason Chisari (TD, 112 yards) in the first quarter

(Fryeburg ME) On a very hot afternoon it was crucial to stay cool. (I enjoyed the shade of pine trees before the game and during halftime.)

The Fryeburg Academy Raiders (3-1) lost their cool in the second quarter and in the process set up visiting Leavitt (4-0) for what turned out to be a decisive field goal.

The final was 17-14 with all the points coming in the first half and Leavitt is now the only undefeated team in Division C South.

Caleb Bowen set up the first Leavitt score with a leaping 36-yard pass reception

Senior Caleb Bowen tallied both Hornets’ touchdowns on short passes (9,2 yards) from quarterback Tim Albert.

Seniors Jared Chisari and Scott Parker scored untouched TDs for Fryeburg.

Jared answered Leavitt’s grinding first touchdown with a first-play dash around the right side that covered sixty-nine yards.

As the first half was in its final minute, Scott Parker, lined up on the left side and broke about as free as you can get into the Hornets secondary. QB Oscar Saunders put the pass where it needed to be and teammate Scott took a lonely route to the Leavitt end zone.

Those were the touchdowns. Both teams had the weapons to put up points but the heat was a key factor in the scoreless second half.

The heat got both teams but it really was the FA penalties that cost them this game. In the second half, the Raiders had a first-down pass to Scott Parker called back, a 67-yard TD run by Jared Chisari called back, and a pass interference call on Scott Parker to extend Leavitt’s final possession. And that wasn’t even the most costly of the Raiders’ rule violations.

FA Coach Dave Turner’s team ran into three straight unsportsmanlike conduct penalties

The most costly? A collection of three penalties in a row. In the second quarter, the Hornets started at the Fryeburg 41 after a Caleb Eklund punt. And that’s when the trouble started for the Raiders. Junior Josh Frye complained about an earlier penalty long enough to get an unsportsmanlike penalty. FA coach Dave Turner stepped in to defend his player and also earned the same penalty. When the FA coach persisted, he was assessed a second unsportsmanlike penalty. When the flags stopped flying, the visitors had remarkable field position (Fryeburg 11) after those thirty yards of penalties.

Leavitt didn’t turn the gift into seven points but they did get three as Eli Lind connected from twenty-six yards out to give the Hornets a 17-7 lead with 2:42 remaining in the first half.

Credit FA for bouncing back during the remaining time in the half to get the Scott Parker score but the Raiders would never get back the three points that were set up by the unsportsmanlike penalties.

Leavitt’s first score was at the end of 5 ½ minute drive to open the game. The big play in the march was a lofted pass by senior Tim Albert that Caleb Bowen outleaped Ryan Hewes for. That catch set the Hornets up on the Fryeburg 4.

Jared Chisari tries to fend off Bryce Hudson

Jared Chisari showed terrific speed in FA’s quick response to the Leavitt TD. Once Jared broke into the secondary there was no pursuit anywhere to be seen. Jared was on his own the final forty yards of a 69-yard run.

On the Hornets next possession, they put together a 68-yard drive to regain the lead. The key play this time was a nice slant pass from Tim Albert to junior Oren Shaw that put Leavitt at the FA 4. Tim avoided the Fryeburg rush, bought time, and found Caleb Bowen several plays later for his second TD from the FA2.

Eli Lind delivered kicks for Leavitt after both scores. Eddie Thurston did the same for Fryeburg after their two scores.

Eli Lind kicked what turned out to be the winning field goal

The winning field goal was interesting because in the series prior to it, in the second quarter, Hornets’ coach Mike Hathaway had opted to pass the ball on 4^th down from the FA 2. After the trio of penalties in the next series Coach Hathaway went for the three and Eli Lind delivered. The kick barely got over the crossbar but it counted big-time ultimately.

Best player on the field may have been FA linebacker Tucker Buzzell. His tackle count had to have been large. He was also the FA center on offense, so on the hottest of hot days there wasn’t much time to rest.

Allen Peabody intercepted a pass intended for Scott Parker in the second quarter.

Fryeburg QB Oscar Saunders recovered a high snap in the second quarter deep in his own territory.

Punter Caleb Eklund tried a fake punt in the 3^rd quarter but Leavitt’s Cole Morin kept the play from working.

Cody Gullikson recovered a Hornet’s fumble in the final quarter.

Junior Brad Moreau turned the left corner for a first down late in the game that was good for a first down and allowed Leavitt to run out the clock and leave with a 3-point victory.

Good crowd on hand for both sides.

Surprised that there was no charge for anyone to watch the game. Being from Massachusetts, I expected otherwise.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Oscar Saunders had a touchdown pass in the first half

Cody Gullikson (7) comes up with a fumble recovery

FA quarterback (12) faces Leavitt defensive lineman Riley Parmenter (75)

Scott Parker pleads his case

Cole Morin (2) and Scott Parker (33) battle for a pass

Caleb Bowen scored two touchdowns

Brad Moreau (31) flies for a first down late in the game

Quarterback Tim Albert (two TD passes)

Scott Parker after scoring touchdown

Scott Parker runs uncovered into the end zone in the second quarter

Jared Chisari (22) gets blocks from Josh Frye (73), Tucker Buzzell (50), and Cody Gullikson (7)

Allen Peabody runs back an interception

Leavitt QB Tim Albert sets up behind linemen Nolan Cabral (54), Cole Melanson (50), and Riley Parmenter (75)

Eli Lind nails one of his two extra points as Will Krug skies in an attempted block

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Filed under Fryeburg, Leavitt

Tagged as Caleb Bowen, Coach Dave Turner, Coach Mike Hathaway, Eli Lind, Jared Chisari, Oscar Saunders, Scott Parker, Tim Albert

September 12, 2017 · 10:10 pm

Freeport flies past Fryeburg Academy 8-1

Kalie Eastman (5) and Allison Greuel (4) track a loose ball

Taylor Rinaldi (two goals) gets into a shot against Sharlah Mae Day

(Fryeburg ME) Freeport ended a two-game losing streak in convincing fashion with an 8-1 win over Fryeburg Academy on sunny Tuesday afternoon.

Six Falcons scored and everyone played in an afternoon of golden chances for the visitors.

Senior Taylor Rinaldi and junior Allison Greuel each had two tallies for Freeport (2-2).

Sophomore Kayla Willard had the Raiders goal late in the second half off a direct kick rebound.

Winless FA (0-4) struggled to get shots. Freeport was patient in their own end with short passes. Freshman goalie Carly Intraversato was passed to frequently and her presence up the field lessened the area the defense in front of her had to cover.

Becca Cameron (9) in the middle

The freshman goalie down the other end (Morgan Fusco) faced a ton of good-look attempts by Freeport. It was the numerous ways that the Falcons got into those juicy scoring situations that impressed me. I saw the straight away blast (Becca Cameron), the dribble into an open space (Taylor Rinaldi), and unselfish passing in very close (Catriona Gould, Allison Greul).

The Falcons collected four goals in the first half (Taylor Rinaldi (2), Becca Cameron, Catriona Gould), and four in the second half (Allison Greul (2), Lindsay Routhier, Bailey Davis).

The goals by Catriona and Bailey were registered in the last minute of each half.

Incoming

Taylor’s two goals were collected in the first ten minutes of the game. The 4-year starter dribbled in for a clean look on the first and drilled the second from long range under the crossbar.

Another 4-year starter (Becca Cameron) was a standout in the middle of the field and put a charge into a long shot that GK Morgan Fusco never had a chance on in the first half.

Twice in the second half Falcons’ team members gave up excellent scoring opportunities from very close to set up teammates for open-net shots. That’s unselfishness! Last year’s team high scorer (Catriona Gould) did it for Allison Greul and then Allison did the same thing for Lindsay Routhier.

Freshman Luna Barrionuevo

Despite the lopsided result, senior Kalie Eastman and freshman Luna Barrionuevo played well for the Raiders. Kalie started the game on defense but was moved to offense late in the first half. Both she and Luna disregarded the score and hustled to create openings for teammates all afternoon.

Beautiful weather with plenty of sunshine.

Freeport won a first-ever victory over Cape Elizabeth to start this season. Losses to Class B South toughies Greeley and Yarmouth (defending champs) followed.

Fryeburg has struggled on defense since the get-go. They have been outscored 33-2 in their four losses.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Catriona Gould takes a shot

Freeport goalie Carly Intraversato

Loose ball in the Raiders end

Allison Greuel sets to fire a goal

Taylor Rinaldi (2) and Nicole DePaolo (3)

Jessica Driscoll (10) battles with Victoria Hayes (8)

Bailey Davis (5) lines up the 8th Freeport goal

Taylor Rinaldi

Becca Cameron

Catriona Gould (21) and Kalie Eastman (5)

Becca Cameron on the move

Raiders GK Morgan Fusco skies to tip a shot

Loose ball in the Fryeburg end

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Filed under Freeport, Fryeburg

Tagged as Allison Greuel, Bailey Davis, Becca Cameron, Catriona Gould, Kalie Eastman, Kayla Willard, Lindsay Routhier, Luna Barrionuevo, Taylor Rinaldi

September 8, 2017 · 11:07 pm

Gray-New Gloucester gets first win (2-1) on two Alexa Thayer goals vs Lake Region

Emma Woods (8) lines up a direct kick late in the game as Alexa Thayer (4) moves to the front of the net defended by Elaina Sturk (7)

The celebrating begins after the Patriots scored the go-ahead goal late in the game

(Naples ME) The Gray-New Gloucester Patriots came into their meeting with the Lake Region Lakers scoreless and winless after two starts.

That all changed versus LR as second-half goals by junior Alexa Thayer earned the visitors a 2-1 victory in a thunder-delayed game on Friday afternoon.

In a matchup of Class B South opponents, the Lakers scored early in the first half when

Neva Leavitt’s corner kick eludes goalie Chelsea Davis in the first half

GNG goalie Chelsea Davis mishandled Neva Leavitt’s corner kick. It was sophomore Neva’s 2^nd goal of the season.

The Patriots (1-2) controlled play during most of this contest relying on patient passing. LR took the long-ball approach.

By patient passing I mean being willing to pass the ball back and sideways not straight ahead. That patient approach set up numerous scoring chances but this was where Lakers GK Maddie Rock stood out denying several GNG point-blank attempts.

The home team held that 1-0 lead until Alexa Thayer responded to a rebound off an Emma Woods shot from the right side and tapped in the game-tying tally with 18:56 left in the second half. The Patriots were thereby able to end their scoreless streak at 222 minutes.

“We have been focusing on following up on rebounds,” said GNG’s 7^th year coach Kiaran McCormack afterwards. “You don’t score style points. If you can be there for a rebound two yards out it counts the same as a 20-yard rocket to the top corner.”

The Patriots pressure had led to several direct kicks during the game. On almost every occasion the kick had gone over or wide. Finally, late in this match, junior Emma Woods put a hard shot on net from straight away on a direct kick that turned up a juicy rebound for Alexa camped to GK Maddie Rock’s right. Alexa’s tap-in gave GNG the lead and was indeed the game-winner with only 2:28 left.

Alexa Thayer’s game-winner gets past LR goalie Maddie Rock

Neva Leavitt scored the Lakers goal on a corner kick in the first half

The game got off to an ominous start as the rumble of thunder forced a 30-minute delay. After that it was typical Maine weather: sunshine, clouds, sunshine, clouds, but in this section of Naples, no more rain.

I was most impressed with the way Gray-New Gloucester kept control of the ball. Their passing and dribbling forced LR to chase for a high percentage of the game. That can be tiring and it may have caught up to the Lakers in the end game.

Emma Woods was a standout in the center of the field for the Patriots. The senior took control of a number of goal kicks and was a skillful dribbler/passer. Emma also had assists on both goals.

The best player on the field? I would take junior Neva Leavitt of Lake Region (0-2). She beat defenders all game long with clever dribbling.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Alexa Thayer (4) moves in on a rebound that will end up as a goal for GNG

Save in traffic

The run back after a goal

Emma Dyer

Lauren Jakobs

Bri Jordan (11), Aisley Sturk (5) and Lauren Jakobs (16)

Bri Jordan (11) and Kenzie Siebert (3)

Chelsea Davis saves

Jordy Grant

Brooke Harriman (23) pushes past Abbey Michaud (6)

Chandler True

Jordy Grant (10), Danica Chadwick (24), and Alexa Thayer )4)

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Filed under Gray New Gloucester, Lake Region

Tagged as Alexa Thayer, Bri Jordan, Emma Woods, Kiaran McCormack, Maddie Rock, Neva Leavitt

September 3, 2017 · 10:28 pm

Yale notches first win 3-0 over Howard

Freshman Aldo Quevedo collects his own rebound and shoots into an open net

Bulldogs celebrate after John Leisman (#21) goal

(New Haven CT) The Yale Bulldogs (1-1) won their first game of the young season, 3-0, on a very rainy Sunday afternoon at Reese Stadium.

The home team put plenty of pressure on Bison goalie Carlos Caro (17 shots) and cashed the trio of scores within a fifteen-minute span of the first half.

Sophomores Ryan Matteo and John Leisman, plus freshman Aldo Quevedo found the Howard net for Yale.

The visitors (0-3) mustered few shots because they spent so much time dealing with the continuous attack of the Bulldogs.

Rainy conditions

This was a game of ever-present rain. There wasn’t much wind, just plenty of moisture.

I try to cover sports in the locations I find myself in. My granddaughter, who is attending Southern Connecticut, now lives within a mile of the Yale Bowl and so I was looking around for something to use for a blog entry.

I walked to the Bowl on Saturday afternoon and although I couldn’t get inside, I did discover Reese Stadium beside it. A check of the Yale Athletic website turned up the Yale/Howard men’s soccer game there on Sunday afternoon.

I had a few problems to deal with before I could cover the contest: (1) my press pass was elsewhere, (2) my normal game-shooting lenses were elsewhere, and (3) it was raining.

Nigel Grant (#15) of Howard picked up a yellow card after this play.

The press pass never came into play and access to the field was never questioned. I found an umbrella and I was willing to get what I could get from the small lens I had.

With only one small lens, I knew that much of the field would be out-of-range. So to get good pictures I needed to know where on the field the action would take place and set up there.

Who had the better team? Yale or the team from DC? If I knew that then I could be near the end they were shooting at.

My brief research convinced me that my best picture bet was in the Howard end. Why? The Bison had won only FIVE of their last seventy-seven games. The Bulldogs weren’t overwhelmingly better (nine wins over the same time frame) but they were playing at home.

It was a good guess on my part. I had a good look at the three Yale goals.

The first two goals had players getting clean looks at the Howard goal. The third goal had the Yale player collecting his own rebound from in close.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)