Before Friday, the Penobscot Valley girl’s soccer team had played 15 games over the course of the regular season and playoffs. During that time, they had only allowed goals in two of those games, for a total of four goals. The trend continued in the semi finals, as the Howlers kept Ashland scoreless and defeated them in Penalty Kicks to propel them to the Northern Maine Championship.
The shutout was PVHS’ fourteenth of the year.
The Howlers knew they had their work cut out for them against the high-powered Hornets, a team that averaged over 6 goals per game throughout the season, and had scored 14 goals in their win against Southern Aroostook in the quarter finals. Penobscot Valley proved up to the challenge, playing with high intensity from the opening whistle and battled to a 0-0 through 80 minutes of regulation and an additional 30 minutes of Overtime.
When it came time for penalty kicks, PVHS won the coin toss and elected to go second. The first Ashland and PVHS shots were both on frame, but were denied by goalies Emilee Ireland (PV) and Michaela Carney (Ashland). Ireland made a diving save on the second shot as well. A player from each team kicked their next shots off the crossbar to keep the score 0-0. Junior Kaya Loring for the Howlers calmly netted her attempt to take the lead, as a Hornets player sent her next attempt over the crossbar. For the second time in 4 days, Senior Rebecca Carson stepped up to PK line with a chance to win it, and once again she came through in the clutch, inciting an on-field celebration.
Penobscot Valley will play in the Northern Maine Championship against the number one seed Wisdom Pioneers, at Presque Isle High School at 4:00 on Tuesday. Ireland saved 10 of 13 shots for PVHS, who improved to 15-1. Ashland keeper Carney made 8 saves on 24 shots, as they ended their season with a 13-3 record.
