Penquis girls fall at Fort Kent in C North championship
FORT KENT — Maybe it was that extra workout they got when they helped scoop snow from the soccer field on Monday that helped the Fort Kent Community High School boys and girls soccer teams defeat their opponents in the Class C North Soccer Championships on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
The No. 3 seeded Warrior girls and top ranked Warrior boys each had home field advantage in the championships which were held at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Alumni Field before a huge crowd of loud and enthusiastic Warrior fans.
The Warrior girls defeated No. 9 Penquis Valley High School 2-1 in the championship game.
Penquis struck first when senior Cymeria Robshaw scored with just under 23 minutes left in the first half. Fort Kent’s Lacy Pelletier answered that goal with less than four minutes left in the half to tie things up 1-1.
Pelletier also assisted on a second half goal scored by Sydney Philbrook. Penquis was unable to return the favor and the Warrior girls eked out the 2-1 win.
Doug Cyr, the head coach for the Warrior girls, said his players kept their focus and composure during the regional championship game.
“I am very proud of the way the girls played today. They came here to win. They weren’t selfish and they used the field space very well. At the end of the day, they played their game,” he said. “In a nutshell, we can win states, we just need to play our game.”
Cyr said he also is appreciative of the fan support his team received Wednesday.
“I’d like to give a shout out to the 12th man, which are the fans. Their presence gives the players a boost and that extra energy which you need that last five minutes,” he said.
The top-ranked Warrior boys took on No. 2 Orono in the championship and also managed a 2-1 victory.
Fort Kent seniors Camden Jandreau and Austin Plourde teamed up for the first goal of that game, with just under six minutes left in the first half. Plourde assisted Jandreau who scored the goal.
About halfway through the second half Warrior fans became nervous when Orono’s Trent Lick tied things up with a goal assisted by Sam Henderson. Fort Kent’s Noah Martin brought some breathing room back to the Warrior bench with an unassisted goal deep in the second half. Orono was unable to recover and the Warriors joined the Fort Kent girls as Class C North champions.
Kalusha Kotes, the head coach for the Warrior boys, said he appreciated the challenge Orono posed.
“We knew it would be a challenge. I told [my players] don’t think about the girls’ game or the how the team played before, but play for the moment. Once playoffs start, you take everything one step at a time,” he said. “Both teams played well. Our guys put in that extra fight and that’s what made them victorious.”