At Howland, PVHS finally got to recognize their senior players Kaya and Holly Loring, as the Howlers went on to defeat the Fort Fairfield Tigers 9-1 in a Class D quarterfinal girls soccer match on Tuesday.
Because they played their last regular season game at a neutral site a week ago due to field conditions, the twins (along with videographer McKenzie Michaud) were honored in a pregame ceremony. After the whistle sounded to start the game, Penobscot Valley wasted little time getting the scoring started.
Just under three minutes in, and after a Lila Cummings shot off the crossbar, Rylee Moulton had two shots stuffed by goalie Brittany Bragg. The last of her two shots found Holly Loring’s feet, who quickly put it in the net for the 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Cummings collected the ball near the middle of the field, dribbled up the left sideline and fired a tough angled shot from the side that went in. Cummings would strike again just one minute later, as Lauren Veino passed it to her above the circle, where she settled it and scored to the goalies left. The final goal of the half came when Cummings once again shot one on frame, only to have Bragg make a diving save. The deflection however went to Ashlyn St. Cyr, who finished the shot to go into halftime up 4-0.
The rapid scoring continued in the second half just four minutes in, as Veino attacked the sideline and sent a centering pass to Ellie Austin. Austin trapped it, turned, and fired a shot in the net. Two minutes later, Holly Loring attacked the right sideline and hit Moulton in the middle of the goalie box. Moulton made a quick move and shot it in the left corner. Cummings would complete a hat trick and then some, as she scored her 3rd and 4th goals (unassisted) at the 19th and 23 minute mark of the second half. St. Cyr scored her second of the day from a Veino assist to round out the scoring for the winners. The Tigers got a goal in the closing seconds by Kassidy Gorneault to prevent the shutout.
The Howlers move on to the semi-finals, and will host Central Aroostook on Friday. Their overall record for the season improves to 14-0-1. Lauryn Smart recorded two saves on three shots. Fort Fairfield ended their season at 6-10, and keeper Bragg stopped 24 of 41 shots.
photo courtesy of Feldmus photography