Category Archives: Freeport

Freeport wears down Lake Region 9-0 in Class B soccer

Will Winter face-to-face with Laker goalie CJ Ferguson

Jesse Bennell with open space

(Naples ME) “Freeport is a great team,” said Lake Region coach Ryan Harlow after watching his team defeated 9-0 by the Falcons on Saturday morning.

Who could argue?  The visitors put on a passing clinic on all parts of the field.

Many of the Falcons’ goals were at the end of unselfish setups.  Eight different players scored.

“It’s their touches,” added Coach Harlow.  “As soon as they touch the ball they know where they’re going.  They are two players ahead on where the ball is going to go.”

Logan Parsons (9) and Eriksen Shea (3)

Credit the Lakers for hanging in.  Coming off a 2-12 2017 season and a tough 2-1 loss Thursday to Poland, the home team trailed just 2-0 after thirty minutes of the first half.  Unfortunately for the Lakers (1-2), in those final ten minutes Freeport cashed four times.

With a six-goal cushion the Falcons (2-1) could play the second half differently.

“We wanted to give everyone minutes,” explained FHS coach Bob Strong.  “I was able to put players in different positions to see how they’d do.  Some who were usually in the back got to play in the front.”

No matter where the Falcons were positioned their passing was terrific.  “We moved the ball around well,” added Coach Strong.  “We want to limit our touches and play quick.”

Junior Will Winter paced the Falcons with two goals and two assists.

Jake Dumont (penalty kick), Eriksen Shea, Cam Strong, Griffin Johnson, Gabe Wagner, Jesse Bennell, and Liam Grogan had goals.

CJ Ferguson catches a high Freeport shot

The busiest person in Naples from 10AM-11:30AM?  Easily it was Lakers goalie CJ Ferguson.  The LR goalie faced 33 shots and few were slow rollers.

The Falcons did score one PK but, with their passing in the box, several times teammates were set up for PK-type scoring chances.

Defender Caleb Arsenault had an assist for Freeport.  “We played well in the back,” he told me afterwards.  “We got the ball to midfield and the offense connected on passes.”  Caleb is looking to attend Unity next year.  “I would try to walk on to their soccer team.”

Nice cool weather with morning sun.  Good traveling crowd from Freeport.

Caleb Arsenault

Coach Harlow: “Our defense is young.  We’re trying to build it.  Our sophomore class is very good.  We hope to compete with teams like Freeport in the future.  We just had a youth clinic earlier this morning for 150 kids so there is an interest in soccer.”

Coach Strong: “We have some horses this year, but we have to execute.  We play Yarmouth (defending Class B champs) on Tuesday.  That will be a test for us.  No one expects us to win (FHS was 9-7 last year) and that’s the position we like to be in right now.”

The scoreboard on the lower field showed the time but not the score.

Covering program-less games is always a challenge.  To accurately identify pictures, you must have names and numbers.  Today I got some help but as I looked through my pictures I found numbers from both teams that aren’t on the lists I left with.  How helpful it would be if each coach brought several up-to-date rosters with numbers, names, and graduating class to each game.

(All the pictures above and below should enlarge if you click on them.)

Gabe Wagner

Griffin Johnson (13)

Jack (Tom Kolofsky) and The Baker (Matt Mayo)

Ethan Prescott and Jason Harlow

Jake Dumond lines up a shot

Jesse Bennell and Jonas Edwards

Jesse Bennell shoots as Matt Mayo defends

Jesse Bennell

Owen Patrick

Will Winter (2 goals) break through

Action aplenty in front of the LR goal on a corner kick

Bill Antoine fires

Cam Strong (20) finishes

 

 

 

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Lake Region gets Class B South title 42-34 over Freeport

The reality of the Lakers win sets in as Chandler True dribbles out the clock

Chandler True (15 points) get two of them in the first half

(Portland ME) Was it great defense?

Was it off shooting?

Who’s to know for sure but Freeport struggled mightily trying to score against Lake Region in the second half and lost in the Class B South finals to the Lakers, 42-34, on Saturday afternoon.

“I can’t comprehend that were going to be in the states,” said LR coach Paul True afterwards.

While the Falcons (16-5) had shooting woes (2-for-26 in the second half) the Lakers (16-5) had their own problem: turnovers.

The team from Naples had twenty-five miscues, including seven in the 4th quarter and as a result a comfortable, 37-24, lead with 7:23 remaining in the 4th quarter melted to 38-34 with fifty second left.

Shauna Hancock hits two important free throws in the last minute

But then LR freshman (Shauna Hancock) stopped the Falcons comeback with huge plays on both ends of the court.  First, she cashed two pressure-laden free throws and then she created a turnover with a steal.  Freeport momentum was ended, and the Lakers settled in for the victory.

Chandler True was chosen MVP in the B South tournament.  Chandler led all scorers with fifteen points including ten in the second half.

You may have seen the bumper sticker: Ask me about my grandchildren.  We love to talk about them.  Just tee us up to do it!  When asked about his daughter being MVP, Coach True fluctuated between beaming and being teary-eyed.  “She’s a great kid,” were the best words he could put together to describe Chandler.

Both teams applied pressure wherever they could.  Freeport coach Mike Hart reportedly said that the Lakers’ defense was “everywhere.”

Shauna Hancock (12) reaches for a pass

Both defenses begged the opponent to throw a long pass, which they often intercepted.

Both defenses also cluttered the middle.  Drives met multiple defenders most of the afternoon.

Double-teams showed up regularly.

The Lakers were able to tally several breakaway baskets.

A 14-4 third quarter gave the Lakers separation.  Three’s by Chandler True and Rachel Shanks (11 points) were big shots for LR in that segment.

It took the Falcons five minutes before they put up any points in the 3rd period.  Megan Cormier ended the point famine with a jumper.

Coach True marveled at the parity of the B South teams: “Any number of teams from our conference could have been where we are now.”

Caroline Smith paced Freeport with ten points.

Reaching the B South finals was historic for Freeport.  Last time they were there? 1977!

Taylor Rinalde (14) tries to turn the corner on Lauren Jakobs

Lake Region and Freeport faced each other on February 2nd at Naples.  The Falcons took that one 59-47.  I saw an interview that Chandler True did on that game.  She said that LR was up by ten points in the 3rd quarter and then got into foul trouble and lost.

Freeport’s Allie Goodman had twenty-two points in the first meeting while teammate Caroline Smith recorded eighteen points.  Three + weeks later the Lakers defense held Allie to six and Caroline to four.

The Lakers had to defeat the defending Class B state champs (Gray-New Gloucester) to reach today’s finals.

Lake Region will play Winslow in Bangor on Friday night for the title.

Lauren Jakobs had nine rebounds and seven points for LR.

Thanks to Rivalries for supplying me with the stats for this game.

Box from the game

(All of the pictures will enlarge if you click on them.)

Chandler True goes where shots get blocked

Brooke Harriman (3) looks for a pass

Lauren Jakobs on a breakaway

Lauren Jakobs (7 points and nine rebounds)

Lakers celebrate

Lake Region huddle

Aisley Sturk (24), Lauren Jakobs (22), Megan Cormier (13), Allie Goodman (22)

Rachel Shanks (11 points) defended by Allie Goodman (22)

Shauna Hancock back on defense against Caroline Smith (20)

Chandler True (tourney MVP)

Freeport cheerleaders

 

 

 

 

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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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Gabe Perry penalty kick gets Fryeburg Academy to Class B West quarterfinals

 

Freeport goalie Brendan Qualls guesses left and Gabe Perry shoots the penalty kick right.

Freeport goalie Brendan Qualls guesses left and Gabe Perry shoots the penalty kick right.

celebrating begins for Fryeburg Academy

celebrating begins for Fryeburg Academy

Ryder Bennell clears a ball away from in front of the Freeport net.

Ryder Bennell clears a ball away from in front of the Freeport net.

(Fryeburg ME) These teams were evenly matched!

A 1-1 tie on September 20th set the stage for today’s boys soccer match between Fryeburg Academy and Freeport on gloomy Saturday afternoon.

The stakes were higher this time around (Class B Western Maine preliminary round) and a winner would be decided no matter how long it took.

And it took a while.

Finally, at 6:19 of the second overtime, senior Gabe Perry of Fryeburg Academy cashed a penalty kick, that he had drawn, to settle this one.

The #8 seeded Raiders (5-8-2) advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday against #1 seed Yarmouth (11-0-3) at Yarmouth.  Freeport lost to Yarmouth, 5-1, in September.

The Fryeburg Academy combo of GK Blaine Andreoli (diving) and defender Sean Chase (headband kicking) prevent Freeport goal.

The Fryeburg Academy combo of GK Blaine Andreoli (diving) and defender Sean Chase (headband kicking) prevent Freeport goal.

Both teams in today’s game had opportunities to score, although Fryeburg had the better chances.  Joe Schrader, Ben Davis, and Tucker Hope had chances they’ll see in their sleep.  Ben had a marvelous feed from Gabe Perry in the second half that was chipped just over the net.

#9 seed Freeport (4-8-3) had enough defense in the right place at the right time to frustrate the home team over and over again.  If junior goalie Brendan Qualls wasn’t making the save, the core of defenders (starring Ryder Bennell) in front of him, were clearing dangerous intrusions out of harm’s way.

Nick Nelsonwood

Nick Nelsonwood

One of the key saves in the game was by Falcons defender Nick Nelsonwood in the second half.  The skillful senior saw GK Brendan Qualls away from the net unable to control a rebound.  A Raiders shot headed toward the net but Nick was there to clear the scoring chance out.  Big save, for sure!

A key matchup in this game involved seniors Gabe Perry and Harry Stivers.  Harry had the task of trying to contain the high-scoring Gabe.  If Gabe had stayed in one area the job might have been easier but Gabe is all over the field……..and so was Harry.

There were numerous entanglements between the two of them and a good assortment of pushes and shoves along the way.

Gabe went down a couple of times with Harry in the area.  On at least one occasion, Gabe looked for a call and I heard the referee mention what you do on a springboard in a swimming pool.

However, with less than seven minutes left in the second overtime, Gabe broke in from the left sidelines along the baseline and Harry stuck his leg in front of Gabe in an attempt to hit the ball and over went Gabe in the penalty area.

Harry Shivers (adjusting shin guard) gets the bad news that Gabe Perry (#13) has drawn a penalty kick.

Harry Shivers (adjusting shin guard) gets the bad news that Gabe Perry (#13) has drawn a penalty kick.

Penalty kicks are a guessing game for both players involved.  There is no time for the goalie to react after the shot is taken.  Freeport GK guessed that Gabe would shoot for the left side and dove in that direction.  Gabe’s shot went into the wide-open right side at 6:19 of the second overtime.

While the entire Raiders team was rushing across the field to their student section, FA coach Bob Hodgman-Burns instead went to Freeport GK Brendan Qualls congratulating him and for good reason.  Classy move, I thought.

Forrest Stearns (14) chases a loose ball

Forrest Stearns (14) chases a loose ball

I was impressed with the following Raiders: Jordan Kruguer, Ben Davis, Forrest Stearns, and Jared Schrader.

Freeport has five seniors on a roster of twenty players.

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

 Jordan Kruguer

Jordan Kruguer

Fryeburg GK Blaine Andreoli eyes incoming shot

Fryeburg GK Blaine Andreoli eyes incoming shot

Antonio River Pinna (1), Tucker Hope (7), Jack Davenport (9)

Antonio River Pinna (1), Tucker Hope (7), Jack Davenport (9)

Gabe Perry and Harry Stivers

Gabe Perry and Harry Stivers

FA coach Bob Hodgman-Burns congratulates Brendan Qualls after the game

FA coach Bob Hodgman-Burns congratulates Brendan Qualls after the game

GK Brendan Qualls caught in traffic

GK Brendan Qualls caught in traffic

Jared Schrader

Jared Schrader

Harry Stivers and Gabe Perry

Harry Stivers and Gabe Perry

GK Brendan Qualls and Antonio River Pinna

GK Brendan Qualls and Antonio River Pinna

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