St. Dom’s was forced to forfeit six games due to an administrative error.
By Kevin Mills
Staff Writer

AUBURN – The St. Dominic boys’ soccer team won’t remain in limbo much longer.

The Saints expect to learn their fate of six wins this afternoon.

The Saints had forfeited six games recently because of a glitch in the submission of a needed form for a transferring student. The Saints would be 10-1 and among the top teams in Western C, but they are currently ranked 12th and are 4-7 after a 2-1 win over NYA Wednesday.

“It’s still pending,” said St. Dom’s Athletic Director Bob Boucher. “The appeal process takes place (Thursday), and we’ll find out where we stand on the forfeitures.”

St. Dom’s has a 1 p.m. conference call with the Executive Committee of the Maine Principals Association. The Saints will plead their case in a rare appeal opportunity and then await a ruling.

“We’ll bring our case forward,” said Boucher. “A hearing will take place and then a decision will be made. They’ll discuss it after based on the information, and then they’ll take a vote.”

Because it was an administrative error, St. Dom’s is hoping the team won’t be punished. The fact that the MPA is willing to hear St. Dom’s side of the issue is a positive step.

“They could have said no,” said Boucher. “There’s always hope.” The problem arose a week and a half ago when St. Dom’s reviewed the proper paperwork for transferred athletes.

Students who transfer must file a form that states the student did not transfer for athletic reasons. A recent letter from the MPA had requested that schools be sure such paperwork was completed. When St. Dom’s reviewed its files, it was discovered that the paperwork for one player, a nonstarter, was incomplete.

It has been a difficult turn of events for a team cruising toward the playoffs. St. Dom’s reached the regional final last year before losing to NYA. Much of that team has returned. “They’re struggling just like the rest of us,” said St. Dom’s coach Lee Hixon of his players. “They’re upset. They’re frustrated, but when it’s all said and done, we’ll just say we did the best we can.”

The Saints can breath a little easier after Wednesday’s win over NYA. Regardless of what happens in this afternoon’s ruling, the win over the third-ranked Panthers should bounce the Saints back up the standings and into a probable playoff spot. With games against B schools like Poland, Gray-New Gloucester and Fryeburg, the Saints could bolster their standing a little more before the regular season ends.

“If we secure the bottom spot, we’ll work our way all the way up,” said Hixon.

With the Saints’ status up in the air over the last week, Hixon has tried to keep his club focused. They’ve operated under the assumption that the forfeits will stick.

“We don’t focus on what could be,” said Hixon. “We focus on where we’re headed.”

“It’s been tough,” said senior Josh Dwinal. “At first we were pretty disappointed, but I think we have a pretty good attitude about it. We’re working hard in practice. We knew we’ve got to step it up. We know we have the talent to win it. We just have to work that much harder. It’s a little adversity that we’re having to face.”