Tracy scores 3 to power Ellsworth Goalkeepers Brown, Duhaime preserve Eagles’ shutout of Red Riots

ORONO – After a game in which they racked up 30 shots but only put in five – and with a key game looming this weekend – the members of the Ellsworth boys soccer team were looking for better results.

The Eagles certainly bettered their percentages in Tuesday’s matchup against Orono at the high school field.

Kris Tracy scored three goals, including two on penalty kicks, to help Ellsworth roll to an 8-0 victory over the Red Riots.

It might be just what the 6-0-1 Eagles need as they travel to Presque Isle Saturday for a game against the 5-0-2 Wildcats.

“It’s the biggest game of the year we have left,” Tracy said. “We definitely need that.”

The Eagles finished with 22 shots Tuesday, and with eight of them going in it was a big improvement – although Ellsworth failed to capitalize on several good chances in the first half, including a whopping 13 corner kicks.

“We missed so many shots, but we’re working on that in practice, definitely,” said center midfielder Noah Jordan. “We’re progressing as the season goes on.”

Jacques Tardie opened the scoring for Ellsworth about nine minutes into the game when he drilled in a shot from about 20 yards out, past the outstretched hands of starting Orono goalie Mat Lint. Tracy put in his first PK about seven minutes later for a 2-0 lead, and kicked in a Jensen Rich pass with 10:59 left in the half.

Tracy put in his second penalty kick a little more than a minute into the second period.

Not only did a lot more shots go in, but several unexpected people got in on the scoring as Ellsworth coach Brian Higgins moved his starters and substitutes around in the second half. Midfielders Jordan and Rich Malaby both played striker at different times, and both scored in the period. Malaby’s goal coming on the Eagles’ third penalty kick of the game.

Freshman Demetrious Katsiaficas added two goals in the second half.

Ellsworth’s defense, anchored by sweeper Andy Berry, didn’t let the Orono front line get off many dangerous shots. In the second half the Riots started booting kickoffs right from the 50-yard line just to get off a shot on goal.

“Our defense has been playing really well and our midfield really stepped it up,” said Tracy.

“They got to the ball a lot better than we did all over the place,” Orono coach Larry Berthiaume said. “We could have played much better in the penalty box. Three penalty kicks, that’s unheard of.”

And the Eagles made sure to watch out for Aloysha Klose, who has done most of the scoring this year for Orono (2-3-1). Jordan, Tardie, Tommy Burns, and Tristan Werner were among the Eagles who marked the senior.

“Their starters bottled him up,” Berthiaume said. “Once the subs came in, he was able to get his shot on net.”

Ellsworth goalies Noah Brown and Jay Duhaime, who each played a half, combined to make five saves on seven shots.

Lint had six saves on 21 shots. Substitute Travis King didn’t have to make a save on the one Ellsworth shot he faced.