D1

By Robert LaFrance

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Although the Perth-Andover Soccer team lost their first two outings of the season, they played good games against Woodstock and Grand Falls adult teams and have the basis for a solid season

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Robert LaFrance photo

Aaron McLaughlin was the Perth-Andover adult soccer team’s goalkeeper in the team’s June 24 game against Grand Falls. He is seen here about to grab a loose ball.

Robert LaFrance photo

Perth-Andover defender Dave Gallagher (No. 7) tries to stop Grand Falls players from getting the ball during June 24 adult soccer action at PTA field. Grand Falls won 4-2 with Kelsey Nissen and Aaron Dickson scoring the goals for Perth-Andover. It was the second goal in three days for Nissen.

Head Coach and player Kris Gallagher said during the June 22 loss by a 7-1 score to Woodstock, in Woodstock, that the team had real possibilities.

"I think we're going to do all right this summer," he said. "We might not make the playoffs, but we have some very good players and knowledgeable players. With an adult team it's hard to get the same players in the same positions for every game."

Kelsey Nissen, who recently graduated from Southern Victoria High School, was the lone goal scorer in the Woodstock game that began at 7:30 p.m. on the field located just north of the high school. Rodney Brayall was in the net for Perth-Andover and played a very good game in spite of the final score. An unexpected Perth-Andover player was midfielder Katlynn Beaulieu who had only arrived home 21 hours earlier from a 10-month stay in Brazil as a Rotary Exchange student. The Woodstock team was strong in midfield but the middle of their back line lacked depth, so that several times Perth-Andover came very close to scoring.

In Grand Falls two evenings later, Perth-Andover met Grand Falls on the PTA field and it was obvious that Perth-Andover had smoothed out most of their midfield problems. Strong Grand Falls goalkeeping kept the score down to 4-2 for the home team, but the teams were more evenly matched than the score indicated. Kelsey Nissen and Aaron Dickson scored for Perth-Andover, whose goalkeeper Aaron McLaughlin had never played in that position before. McLaughlin made some very good saves and was aggressive at coming out for the ball and stopping the well-practised Grand Falls team's attacks.

Referee Dave Brown handed out four yellow cards in the game that saw some vigorous play at midfield, including a few hockey-style body checks.