By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
The lacrosse season began in earnest this past week and three things are abundantly clear: The new boys' tiered schedule is making for some superb contests, the Portland boys are the story of the season to date, and the most storied girls' program in the state, Waynflete, appears to have no equal.
Boys Lacrosse: Portland Steals the Show
Every year it seems, the Portland boys lacrosse program gets better and better. Last season, Portland beat Cape Elizabeth for the first time ever, then shocked Scarborough in the regional final to make it to the state title game. There, the Bulldogs lost to Brunswick, meaning they came into this season with only one major goal yet unrealized.
Portland opened 2008 with a flourish, scoring just before halftime to take the lead for good, then erupting early in the second half to pull away from host Cape Elizabeth 12-7. A balanced attack and clutch play from senior goalie Jeremy Finney proved to be the difference.
Friday night, the Bulldogs faced the most highly-touted team in the state, Yarmouth, which crushed host Scarborough 19-6 in its first contest. The Clippers were expected to put Portland back in its place, but the Bulldogs made clear from the get-go that they were in it to win it.
Yarmouth got the first goal, as senior Sam Miller (from junior Rob Highland) beat Finney. The Bulldogs answered by scoring twice in 33 seconds, as senior Spencer Wendland (from senior Tanner Howard) and senior Mitch Pierter (from classmate Johnny Sengelmann) found the net. With 5:02 to play in the first period, Sengelmann fed Pierter again for a 3-1 lead, but the Clippers would tie things up before the quarter ended as Miller (again from Highland) and Highland (fittingly enough, from Miller) tickled the twine.
The two defensive units then took control and neither squad scored in a 10-minute stretch. Finally, with 4:41 to go before halftime, Yarmouth grabbed a 4-3 advantage (its last) as junior Peter Erickson scored unassisted. Just 37 seconds later, the Bulldogs were even again, as Howard set up junior standout K.R. Jurgelevich for a goal, snapping drought that spanned 12:58. A mere 13 seconds later, junior Dylan Kenney, who would be an absolute man-child all over the field on the night, beat Clippers' senior goalie Jonathan Poole for a 5-4 lead which would hold until the half.
When Pierter (from junior Sam Guimond) and junior Erik Casparius (from Guimond) scored in the third period, Portland appeared to have a safe 7-4 lead, but late in the quarter, Highland set up Miller and sophomore Steven Petrovek assisted sophomore Colby Shields for a goal which got the visitors back within one, 7-6.
The final period would be full of goals and scintillating back-and-forth action.
Yarmouth drew even 58 seconds into the quarter on an unassisted goal by Highland. Thirty-six seconds later, Guimond (from Howard) put the Bulldogs back on top, 8-7, but with 9:43 to play, senior Jason Hichborn scored unassisted to tie the game for the last time.
With 9:01 remaining, Portland went ahead to stay. It would be Guimond doing the honors, beating Poole with an unassisted tally, for a 9-8 advantage.
With 7:06 to play, Sengelmann set up Pierter for a goal, then, with 5:58 left, Sengelmann scored unassisted for an 11-8 lead. With 3:31 left, Highland fed Miller for yet another goal, but after Finney made back-to-back superb saves to keep it a two-goal game, junior Kyle Roberts collected a loose ball in front of the Clippers' goal and fired a shot into the net for a 12-9 advantage with just 1:58 to play.
“We came together on defense and the midfield,” Pierter said. “We were right in their face the whole game.”
Game over? Not even close.
Yarmouth would embark on a furious rally and almost sent the game to overtime. With 48.2 seconds left, Highland fed Miller for one last goal. After the Clippers won the ensuing draw, Hichborn scored unassisted with 23.4 seconds to play and suddenly the Portland lead was down to one, 12-11.
“We knew they'd make a run,” Begonia said. “They're such a well-coached and well-disciplined team. It's no surprise they made a push.”
The game would be decided on the face-off. The ball squirted loose and several players had a chance to corral it, but after 15 agonizing seconds, Kenney seized possession and Begonia called timeout.
“It was pretty even in the face-offs the whole game,” Kenney said. “I came off the wing. The ball popped up in the air and I had a shot at it. I grabbed it and called timeout.”
“K.R. (Jurgelevich) was an ironman, winning face-off after face-off,” Begonia said. “That was the difference for us. (Dylan's) one of those kids who's showed a lot of leadership through his play. The kids rally around a kid like that.”
The Bulldogs then ran out the clock and celebrated the latest in their long line of memorable victories.
“This means we're in the elite now,” said Pierter, who led his team with four goals. “Cape and Yarmouth are the premier teams in the state. We showed we belong in the top tier. I hope we can keep it up.”
“It feels great,” Kenney added. “We all knew we could do it.”
Begonia gave credit to his kids.
“These guys played as freshmen and sophomores and took tough losses,” he said. “They wanted to prove they belong this year. We were at the bottom of the top five (in the first tier for scheduling purposes). They wanted to get some respect out there. We have great team unity. We're getting healthy.”
Portland had lost decisively to Yarmouth in a scrimmage last month, but the Bulldogs got the one that counted.
“We were missing some guys then and they're missing some guys now,” Begonia said. “I'd say right now, we're pretty even. We respect them as a team and as a coaching staff. I think they do the same for us. We expected a really good game tonight. All the hype around it was accurate. The next time (May 28 in Yarmouth) will also be a good game.”
Yarmouth was led by Miller's five goals. Hichborn and Highland both scored twice.
“(Portland was) good,” Clippers' coach Craig Curry said. “They played a great game. They're very athletic, big, strong and fast. They put us on our heels. It was a great challenge.
“I don't think we were over-confident. Maybe we lacked a little confidence, frankly. We played tentative at the start of the game, but we didn't give up. We were a little disappointed with our team defense tonight. They created a lot of their opportunities.”
Eight different Bulldogs scored at least once. Guimond was the only other player with multiple goals (2).
“Diversity in scoring is great,” Begonia said. “We know K.R. (Jurgelevich) will draw a tough defender. Other guys know if they come across the middle someone will find them. We're happy with where we're at.”
Portland didn't get a chance to rest on its laurels. Tuesday night they hosted defending Western B champion Kennebunk and for the first time, beat the Rams decisively.
Portland never trailed and went on to a 13-5 win, as Jurgelevich scored four times and added three assists.
The Bulldogs still have games remaining with Cheverus, Cape Elizabeth, Kennebunk, Yarmouth, and two with defending Class B champion North Yarmouth Academy.
Portland says, bring it on.
“It's a long season,” Begonia said. “We like this competition. This new schedule is much more fun and intense. It's great.”
So, apparently, are the Bulldogs.
In other boys lacrosse news, Lewiston and defending state champ Brunswick are off to strong starts in Eastern A. Mt. Blue is unbeaten in Eastern B. While Portland is riding high in Western A, Deering is also playing well and upstarts Massabesic, Noble and Thornton Academy are all off to promising starts. In Western B, Falmouth is coming off a first-ever win over North Yarmouth Academy, an epic victory that was several years in the making. The Yachtsmen lead the standings with a stronger-than-expected Greely team hot on their heels. Cape Elizabeth lurks as well.
Girls Lacrosse: Flying High
It probably feels like a geologic era to them, but it's only been three years since Waynflete's girls lacrosse team ruled the roost. This season, the Flyers appear ready to return to the pinnacle.
Waynflete opened with a 15-1 win at Wells. Sophomore Amy Allen scored five goals. Saturday, the Flyers hosted Cheverus and avenged a pair of losses from last year (including one in the Western B semifinals) with a 16-1 drubbing of the Stags.
Just 1:26 seconds into the game, sophomore Morgan Woodhouse fed reigning All-American senior Ashley Allen for a goal. Thirteen seconds later, Amy Allen got to a loose ball and fired it home for a 2-0 lead. Ashley Allen (from senior Grace Verrill) and junior Mariah Monks (from All-American senior defensive standout Laura Armstrong) then scored to make it 4-0, which forced Stags' coach Jamie Chamberlain to call timeout.
It didn't work.
Woodhouse scored on a free position, senior Addie Thompson (from Amy Allen) converted in transition, and the Allen sisters (Amy from Ashley) scored for a 7-0 advantage. A free position goal from Monks, a Thompson tally (from Amy Allen) and two goals from junior Ellie Cole (both assisted by Monks), gave Waynflete an 11-0 lead at the break.
Early in the second half, Verrill and Ashley Allen scored unassisted, and Amy Allen (from Monks) and Monks (unassisted) added strikes to make it 15-0. The Flyers were content playing pass and catch the rest of the way and the Stags avoided the shutout with 8:20 to play when senior Mollie Fitzpatrick scored to account for the 15-1 final score.
The two Allens and Monks had three goals apiece. Cole and Thompson added two each, and Verrill and Woodhouse both had one. Monks added three assists. Amy Allen had two, while Ashley Allen, Armstrong, Verrill and Woodhouse all had one apiece.
“I'm just really proud of the way the girls played,” Waynflete coach/dynasty creator Cathie Connors said. “They're really working hard and I feel like it is all coming together. They're an amazing group of girls. I'm having a blast with them.”
Waynflete made another emphatic statement Tuesday at home versus North Yarmouth Academy. The Flyers shot to a 7-2 halftime lead over the Panthers and appeared home free up 8-2 early in the second half, but NYA scored three-straight goals to awaken the sleeping giant. Waynflete promptly scored nine times in succession and went on to an 18-6 victory (meaning they've outscored their three foes 49-8 to date) behind seven goals from Ashley Allen.
The Flyers go to Yarmouth Friday knowing their state-record 36-game win streak is safe after the Clippers' string was snapped at 29 Friday night by Kennebunk.Waynflete has dropped three-straight to the two-time defending Class B champs.
Other teams off to hot starts include Brunswick (4-0), Freeport (a surprising 3-0), Kennebunk (2-0) and Greely (3-0).
Baseball: Deering Keeps on Truckin'
A quick glance at the diamond: The defending Class A state champion Deering baseball team continues to crush all comers. The Rams are 6-0 and have outscored the opposition 65-7. Biddeford, Bonny Eagle, Thornton Academy and Westbrook are all 4-1, trying to keep pace.
In Western B, defending champ Greely has stumbled on a couple of recent occasions, meaning Falmouth is the top team at the moment. York, Mountain Valley and Cape Elizabeth are all competitive as well.
Livermore Falls leads the Western C standings. Richmond is on top in Western D.
Brewer, Mt. Desert Island, George Stevens Academy and Southern Aroostook are the top teams in Eastern Maine.
Softball: Scarborough Still the One
Despite being hard hit by graduation, the Scarborough softball team looks like it has what it takes to repeat as Class A champs.
The Red Storm improved to 5-0 Monday with a decisive 6-0 home win over top challenger Deering. Scarborough will be tested as the season goes on by the likes of Biddeford, South Portland, Bonny Eagle and possibly even upstart Marshwood.
In Western B, defending champion Cape Elizabeth has yet to lose. Fryeburg, Lisbon and Maranacook are all unbeaten as well.
St. Dom's leads the way in Western C. Richmond is the top team in Western Class D.
In the east, Cony, John Bapst, Orono and Bangor Christian are looking strong in the early going.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth. Michael can be reached atmhoffer@theforecaster.net
