Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

May 1, 2012

HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE NOTES: Tigers, Hawks meet again

BY DAVE MCLAUGHLIN Correspondent

The top two boys lacrosse teams in Eastern B will play for the second time in two weeks at 4 p.m. today when Maranacook/Winthrop host Gardiner at the Capital Area Recreation Association fields on the Piggery Road in Augusta.

Gardiner beat Maranacook/Winthrop 7-3 in the season opener for both teams. The Tigers are 3-0 and ranked No. 1 in the lastest Heal point standings. The Hawks are second with a 3-1 record.

"We need to play heads up defense against Gardiner," Maranacook/Winthrop coach Jared Knowlton said. "We have to make sure our defense is watching their top attackers."

Justin Lovely and Seth Wing have been pacing a solid Gardiner attack early in the season.

Since the loss to Gardiner, Maranacook/Winthrop has allowed just eight goals in three games, all victories.

"The first time we played Gardiner, we had been inside for practice and we really didn't have our ball skills, Knowlton said. "We are running on all cylinders right now and the players have been figuring things out during games.

"We need to start beating teams like Gardiner to help get us ready for the playoffs."

• • •

The Cony boys lacrosse team finishes a series of four straight games against the top teams in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference this week with games against Brunswick (4-0) today and Lewiston (2-3) Saturday. The Rams are coming off losses to Messalonskee (2-2) and Mt. Ararat (3-1).

Cony continues to make progress and has a positive outlook going forward. A 7-0 loss to Mt. Ararat Saturday showed just how far the Rams have progressed in Class A boys lacrosse, coach Chad Foye said..

"We took a big step forward against Mt. Ararat," Foye said. "Our conference is tough and has a group of excellent teams but to hold Mt. Ararat to seven goals is a good accomplishment."

Cony has won just one game in the past two seasons but the young Rams have been gaining experience and showing improvement.

"Each game is a learning experience, we want to walk off the field each day better than when we started," Foye said. "We are clearing the ball much better, challenging people on defense and keeping a positive attitude towards the game."

Cony received a big boost this season when talented hockey goalie senior Matt Swan decided to play lacrosse. Swan's net minding abilities are unquestioned and his leadership has helped the Rams growth.

"It was something Matt wanted to do," Foye said. "He is a hard working kid who is doing great for us in the goal and on the field."

• • •

The Messalonskee girls got off to a good start this week beating Morse in Bath 13-9 on Monday. The win was crucial for the Eagles, who opened the season at 1-2, including a heartbreaking 11-10 loss at home to Cony.

"This is a pivotal week for us," Messalonskee coach Ashley Pullen said. "We are looking to pick up two wins, this week."

Up next for the Eagles is a meeting in Rumford with Mountain Valley. The Falcons are led by senior Ayla Allen, who scored 207 goals in her first three seasons of lacrosse.

"We need to enter each game looking to improve and never under estimating our opponents," Pullen said. "Our season is on the line."

In three games thus far, the Eagles have allowed 39 goals -- 13 per game.

"We are really young on defense and need a lot of work," Pullen said. "We are setting defensive goals and need to show improvement, it we are going to make the playoffs."

 

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