Year of experience aids Caribou’s climb to top Vikings surge to 9-1 record after 2-12 finish

The Caribou girls soccer team has made a huge turnaround this season.

Last fall the Vikings finished their season with a 2-12 record. This year, with four games left on their schedule, the team is 9-1 after a win at Mount Desert Island Saturday.

In 14 regular-season games and one playoff contest last season, Caribou scored just eight goals. As of Saturday, the Vikings had scored 28 – and have given up just eight.

Caribou ended last year ranked seventh in Northeastern Class B. Last week the Vikes were No. 1 in Eastern Maine Class B and were worth 20 Heal Points, the most of any girls team in the state.

The Vikings went 0-2 against Aroostook County rival Presque Isle last year, just as they had the previous six years. This August, Caribou beat the Class A Wildcats.

Second-year coach Todd Albert said the squad was young last year, and the year of experience has been a big help. He also saw a lot of improvement from a soccer program he ran during the summer.

“They really picked up a lot from the practices and drills,” Albert said. “We had some scrimmages but it’s hard because I had 30 kids and you want to get everybody in the game in a summer program.”

Lindsay Burlock, a junior well-known for her prowess on the track team, leads the Vikes with eight goals and six assists.

Simone Willett and Michelle Ouellette, who were junior varsity players last year, each have four goals, as does Jenna Vincent. Stopper Amelia Cote has three.

Cote, sweeper Danielle Ouellette (no relation to Michelle) and goalie Leah Drew are the key members of the defense.

“[Cote] usually marks up the other team’s best player,” Albert said. “She really controls the midfield.”

Danielle Ouellette is a sophomore who started every game last year. Albert said Drew, the Class B state long jump champ, hasn’t been tested as much this year because the schedule has gotten a bit easier.

In fact, Albert thinks the Vikings’ schedule could drop them from first place. Caribou’s only loss came against Presque Isle but the Vikings have beaten winless Class B teams and struggling Class C squads that won’t help earn home-field advantage for the playoffs.

“We could go 13-1 and still not be at the top,” he said.

Red Devils learn lesson from loss

Last week the Central High field hockey team played Dexter and lost 4-0.

It wasn’t exactly the result 12-year coach Diane Rollins wanted from the Red Devils of Corinth. But the Tigers, who are two-time defending Class C state champions, are one of the top high school programs in Maine.

Central regrouped Saturday and picked up an 8-0 win over Hermon. Now 6-1, the Devils are off to one of their best starts under Rollins.

Central was undefeated heading into the Dexter game and hadn’t given up a goal all season.

“Obviously the first loss is a heartbreaker for everyone, especially the upperclassmen, but it’s a learning experience,” Rollins said. “At least now we know what we need to work on.”

The plan is to work more with the Central defense, which is a bit younger than the front line with the exception of senior captain Jess Fenn.

“I might have to really rethink my back, except my little general [Fenn],” Rollins said. “She might need some help back there.”

Central has been getting excellent play in goal from junior Jenna Dauphinee, who has six shutouts this year, her first as the varsity starter. She made a number of tough kick-saves against Dexter.

Central will get another shot at the Tigers Oct. 16.

“Dexter moves the ball well and we tried to prepare but we weren’t ready for what they came with,” Fenn said. “We’re proud of our record right now and we intend to come back on Dexter’s field and show them what we can do.”

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.