Boys soccer off to hot start

The boys soccer team travelled to Hermon on Thursday, September 10, for a showdown against  the undefeated Hawks. On the opening play of the game, Dylan Harmon-Weeks stole the ball in the midfield and quickly played a through ball to Nate Church, who beat the keeper and struck the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead just one minute into the game.

“It was Nate Church’s goal within the first minute of the game that set the tone for the Ponies,” said Coach Ayala, whose squad never surrendered their early lead and cruised to a 5-2 victory to remain undefeated on the season. Chandler Rockwell and Tobias Hogfeldt added two goals a piece, and goalkeeper Logan Butera made 8 saves on 14 shots.

The Ponies now sit 3-0 with a aggregate score of 14-3. Leading the Ponies are senior Nate Church with 6 goals and sophomore Tobias Hogfeldt and junior Chandler Rockwell with 4 goals a piece.

The Ponies will face Dexter at home on Tuesday and PCHS at home on Thursday. Both games are set to begin at 4 pm.

Field hockey undefeated after four games

At Tuesday’s game against Old Town, the Ponies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but looked fatigued by the 90-degree heat as the game progressed. “We have 15 girls (two of which are goalies), leaving us only 3 field subs,” explained Coach Rublee. “The heat and amount of playing time got to us.”

The Ponies bent but did not break against Old Town and escaped the game with a 2-1 victory and an undefeated record.

Foxcroft’s next test was at Orono on Friday, and the Ponies looked refreshed and sharp once again. “Friday’s game was completely the opposite,” said Coach Smith. “The girls were intense, focused, electric, and in sync. My jaw dropped several times in the game because their hand/eye coordination and handling of fast-paced bouncing balls off of the rough and bumpy field were amazing. It was one of the most enjoyable games to Coach because they could do no wrong.”

Jillian Annis got the game started with two goals and Alli and Abbi Bourget contributed a goal apiece for the Ponies that ran away with a 4-0 victory.

The Ponies are now 4-0 on the season and have a busy week ahead as they face Hermon at home on Monday, travel to Millinocket to take on Sterns High School on Wednesday, and battle Mattanawcook at home on Friday.

Click here to see more of Nick Phan’s great photos from Tuesday’s game against Old Town.

Cross Country has impressive showing at Presque Isle Invitational

The boys and girls cross country teams were at full force for the first time this season, and it showed at their second meet. The team travelled north for the 11-team Presque Isle Invitational, where the boys team placed an impressive third, and the girls team edged Limestone High School for fifth.

Gabe Piquette led the boys team with a eighth place finish, completing the 5k course in 19:27. Cooper Nelson and Paul Birtlwistle, who also play on the boys soccer team, competed for the first time this season and were an added boost, filling the second and third scoring spots for the Ponies. Cooper Nelson placed 11th (20:07) and Paul Birtwistle was 24th (21:09). Rounding out the scoring five were Liam Casey (21:17) and Nick Daneman (21:43).

Jen Clawson placed in the top ten for the second straight meet for the girls team that continues to improve week to week with the contributions of multi-sport athletes. Clawson placed ninth overall, running the hilly and winding course in 23:19. Next for the Ponies was first-time runner and soccer player Jenna Clukey, who placed 22nd in 24:43. Alice Russo (26:42) and Erika Chadbourne (27:48), who cheerlead and play soccer, respectively, were third and fourth for the Ponies. Virginia Macomber and Su Kim out dueled Limestone’s fifth runner to displace the Eagle and give Foxcroft the fifth best team score.

“I’m impressed by the team’s effort top to bottom,” said Coach Pearsall. “It was the little surges in the middle of the race and the unwillingness to be passed in the final stretch that led to our very solid team finishes. It was nice having the whole team together for the first time, and I’m excited to be at full force once again for our home meet this Friday.”

The cross country team will host their only home meet on Friday, September 18, at 4 pm.

Golf team bests Dexter twice

The Golf team hosted back to back home matches on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Foxcroft Golf Club.

On Tuesday, leading the way for the Ponies once again was Racquel Bozzelli, who led all scorers with an outstanding stroke total of 43. The highlight of Bozzeli’s day and of the match was her play on hole one. It started inconspicuously for Bozzelli whose tee shot landed on the edge of the rough. “I wasn’t expecting much,” said Bozzelli, who then hit a hybrid 4 for her second stroke. The always-humble Bozzelli downplayed her role in the stellar second shot that placed the ball two feet away from the hole. “I don’t know how it could have possibly travelled that far,” commented Bozzelli, who put the ball in the hole on her third stroke to register an eagle on the par-5 hole.

The Ponies defeated Dexter High School but lost a tightly contested match 200-203 to Greenville High School.

On Wednesday, the Ponies and Dexter returned to the Foxcroft Golf Club joined by John Bapst for a three-way match. The Ponies had their best overall performance of the season, but it was not enough to overcome John Bapst’s formidable play. The Ponies’ score of 191 was good enough to defeat Dexter for the second time in two days but did not better John Bapst’s 184. Henry Chase led all scorers with a 44 stroke count, and was followed closely by Bozzelli (48), Tanabe (49), Michael Wang (50), and Sam Libby (50).

“The team is showing signs of improvement,” said Coach Caruso. “They have brought down their team total score by 30 strokes from the opening match at Old Town. The key now is for consistency as we head towards the PVC Championship on October 1st.”

The Ponies will continue regular season play on September 16, at the Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor as they face off against MDI and Bucksport.

Click here to see more of Camille Bozzelli’s great photos from Wednesday’s match.

Caron and Marsh find end zone for Ponies

The Foxcroft football team travelled to Madison High School Friday for a showdown against the 1-0 Bulldogs. Madison defeated Foxcroft 33-12, but the score does not convey the true competitiveness of Friday’s game. Madison edged Foxcroft by just 57 yards of total offense, and the score would have been closer if it were not for a few turnovers deep within Pony territory.

Sophomore Nick Clawson and senior Zach Caron led the Pony offense that rushed for 232 yards. Zach Caron in his first start at running back rushed 14 times for 84 yards and a touchdown, and Clawson in his first start at the quarterback position rushed for 106 yards on 16 attempts. Clawson also added a touchdown pass to sophomore Cameron Marsh.

Caron led the Ponies with 11 total tackles, and Brandon Brock had 10 for a Pony defense that was strong once again against the interior run.

“We played a much more complete game Friday night,” said Coach White. “We played with a lot of energy, and the kids executed the majority of things we asked of them, but we turned the ball over at some inopportune times. We will work off the positives and get ourselves ready for Waterville on Friday night.”

Foxcroft will face Waterville High School (1-1) Friday, September 18, at 7 pm on Oakes Field.

Busy week ahead for girls soccer

Girls soccer faced off against fourth-ranked Hermon High School on Friday, September 11. The Ponies fell 9-0, but Coach Wesley’s team never relented, fighting to the final whistle. “The girls produced some quality chances on goal when the game was well in hand,” said Coach Wesley. “They showed a lot of character.”

The Ponies have a tough week ahead as they take on first-ranked MDI at home on Monday, followed by Dexter on Wednesday, and PCHS on Saturday.