PI keeps pressing, shuts out Houlton

PRESQUE ISLE – After a half of utter domination but just one goal to show for it all, the Presque Isle girls soccer team patiently waited for its chances in Wednesday night’s game against defending Eastern Maine Class C champion Houlton.

Those opportunities would come in the second half. The Wildcats scored six goals after halftime, including two by senior center midfielder Tasha Deschene, en route to a 7-0 victory at the Skyway Middle School field.

Angela Norsworthy also scored twice and had what turned out to be the game-winner with 16 minutes, 17 seconds left in the first half. Three other players scored goals, while forward Katie Delong had three assists and Emily Robertson chipped in with two.

Delong also had several shots hit the post. But that’s not all Presque Isle’s shots hit – the Shiretowners did a good job of getting bodies in front of goalie Nicole Manton in the first half. The Wildcats got off 16 shots before halftime, but Manton had six saves and the ‘Cats had just the one goal to show for their effort.

“We knew they were going to try to pack it in inside the 18 [yard line],” Delong said. “We just tried to stay calm and keep trying to get a goal. It was a little frustrating but we knew we’d get something.”

The Houlton defense got a body on the ball during the ensuing scramble after a first-half corner kick by Delong. But Norsworthy found the loose ball and kicked it in for a 1-0 lead.

“I’m really proud of the way we played in the first half against arguably one of the best teams in the state,” said Houlton coach Sean Callahan. “That’s something we can reflect back on and build on.”

Presque Isle didn’t take as long to score in the second half. Deschene, always dangerous on high chip passes inside, headed in a Delong corner kick about four minutes into the second period. Five minutes later Norsworthy curved in a shot from the left wing.

Sarah Gonsioroski and Nikki James followed with goals to make it 5-0. Deschene nailed a penalty kick after a push in the box, and Kylan Smith rounded out the scoring with 10 minutes left.

Four of the PI goals came off set plays.

“We’ve been pretty good on direct kicks and things like that,” Delong said.

The Wildcats worked the Shiretowners so hard on defense that Houlton didn’t have much left for offense. Leading scorer Danielle Sewell got loose in front of the goal once late in the first half and the Shires got off two shots in the second half, but weren’t able to mount a threat.

Presque Isle, which is now 7-0, has given up just one goal this fall.

“They make runs without the ball so well that playing defense against a team like that is exhausting,” Callahan said. “When we had enough to play the ball up, it was Dani one-on-one and she didn’t have much help.”

Manton and substitute goalie Bethany Targonski combined for eight saves on 16 shots in the second half for 2-4-2 Houlton, which lost five starters from last year’s championship team and has played six of its games against Class B opposition.

Presque Isle’s Brianna Young didn’t face any shots in the first half. She shared time with Molly Hamel in the second half.