The schedule for the Poland girls’ soccer team is full of some of the best teams in Western A, B and C.
It not only challenges the level of play of the Knights but also their mental approach. When you play a Falmouth, Greely or Cape Elizabeth one day and an Old Orchard Beach or Wells in the next outing, it can prompt a lot of inconsistency.
“When we see the Falmouths and the Greelys, we’re really tensed up and nervous and ready to play,” said Poland coach Aaron Rand. “When we don’t see those teams, we, edge-wise, might lose it a little bit.”
The Knights were coming into the season hoping to build on last year’s 5-8-1 mark and near miss of the playoffs. So far, Poland is 3-7 but ranked 11th in Western B. That’s the last tournament berth.
With eight starters back, led by all-conference players, Emma Turton and Sophie Spiller, the Knights hoped to make some strides this year. That can be hard to do when facing some of the best that the Western Maine Conference has to offer.
Poland lost to Falmouth and Greely by 7-0 scores and dropped a 5-0 decision to York. The Knights are 3-4 in the rest of their games and have outscored opponents 15-11.
After a convincing 5-0 win over the defending Class C state champs from Sacopee Valley, Poland has put themselves in the playoff hunt and hope to continue that surge down the stretch.
“We haven’t had as much luck this season,” said Turton, a junior forward. “So it’s kind of going to give us a boost to finish up our season. We have a few tough games, but I think we’ll do pretty well.”
In the win over the Hawks, the Knights moved the ball well, despite playing in raining conditions. Turton had three goals in the win. It proved to Poland that when they work the short game effectively, they can click well as a team.
“We were making passes on the ground and to the feet,” said senior midfielder Jenn Powell, who had a goal and an assist against Sacopee. “It definitely sets the tone for our team spirit and bringing everyone together.”
The Knights have some tough games down the stretch, including Cape Elizabeth, currently ranked No. 1 in Western A. Poland also has Yarmouth, Traip and Gray-New Gloucester, who the Knights lost to 1-0 earlier in the year.
Poland can feel some momentum going its way. The team knows its playoff destiny could be in their hands. With a close race for a tourney berth in the final weeks, that will keep the Knights extra focused on finishing strong.
“It’s going to make us work a lot harder in practice,” said Turton. “We’re going to work our butts off. We just need to work on making little passes and trying to put it up the field that way instead of playing the kick and chase game.”
Feeling Blue
Mt. Blue’s win over Cony Monday was key for the Cougars.
Mt. Blue had lost three straight and hadn’t scored a goal in about two weeks in losses to Bangor, Mt. Ararat and Lawrence.
Against the Rams, a team the Cougars lost to on opening night 2-1, Mt. Blue got goals from Mackenzie Conologue and Chelsea Newhall. The defense was also superb to help lift the Cougars to 4-5-1 and seventh in Eastern A.
After a tough stretch in the schedule, Mt. Blue now has some winnable games ahead. Two of the clubs, Messalonskee and Skowhegan, the Cougars have already beaten, 5-1 and 4-0 respectively. Lewiston and Erskine each have just three wins.
Mt. Blue went 7-5-3 last year and lost in the Eastern A quarterfinals.
Back in the chase
After just two wins last fall, Mt. Abram has put itself back into the playoff chase. The Roadrunners are 6-3-1 and ranked sixth in Western C.
Mt. Abram lost some key talent from last year but still returned eight starters this year, including all-state defender Brianna Daly.
Though Mt. Abram lost tight battles to some of the top clubs in the MVC, like St. Dom’s, Madison and Dirigo, the Roadrunners have won the games that could and should be won. They’ve outscored teams 16-3 in those six wins and even has a 1-1 tie with Lisbon, another likely playoff team.
The Roadrunners don’t have it easy down the stretch. Mt. Abram plays Carrabec, a team it beat 5-2 but also has playoff teams like Spruce Mountain, Hall-Dale and Madison.
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