After pulling off three lopsided wins in less than 48 hours last week, Falmouth looks like it’s the team to beat in Western Class B boys’ lacrosse.
The undefeated Yachtsmen started the run Thursday night with a 15-5 win against York.
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The next night, Falmouth cruised to a 14-5 win at Yarmouth, beating the Clippers for the first time.
Saturday afternoon, the Yachtsmen made it look easy in a 13-1 win against Brunswick.
Falmouth (7-0) has scored 98 goals – the most in the state, regardless of class. The Yachtsmen have allowed just 25 goals, and their average victory margin of 10.5 also is tops in the state.
The Yachtsmen have gotten off to their great start despite the loss of All-Americans Mike Kane and Dan Hanley and top defender Chris Janelle to graduation.
“We’re a better team this year because we’re more balanced offensively,” Falmouth Coach Mike Lebel said.
“This year, we try to get everybody involved offensively. We’ve got a lot of guys scoring goals during games.”
In Saturday’s win against Brunswick, eight players scored at least one goal.
The defense, meanwhile, has been helped by the return of Caleb Bowden, who missed all of last regular season because of mononucleosis, and Mike Bloom, who sat out last season because of a knee injury.
“We’re solid defensively,” Lebel said. “If a team has a stud midfielder, we can shut him down with a long stick.”
The Yachtsmen also are playing with a different attitude than in the past.
“What we really go for every game is just complete domination, playing our best on defense, playing our best on offense, dictating the game,” said Nick Bachman, a senior midfielder. “We’ve had some really tough games, and it’s been great that we’ve held it together every game and stayed composed, let our experience show.”
A GIRLS’ LACROSSE team made up of 20 players from 11 high schools will compete later this month in the Women’s Division National Tournament at Stony Brook University in New York.
The squad includes Dakota Foster, Molly Herman and Ann Kelly of Brunswick; Talley Perkins and Elin Sonesson of Cape Elizabeth; Alexandra Logan of Cheverus; Alex Bernier of Falmouth; Merritt Harlam of Gould Academy; Allison Bush, Elizabeth Craig, Alissa Fallon and Kate Graydon of Kennebunk; Haley Michaud of Mt.Ararat; Molly Strabley of North Yarmouth Academy; Kelsey Howard, Laura Przbylowicz, Mary Scott and Maggie Smith of Scarborough; Sadie Cole of Waynflete; and Caitlin Crawford of Yarmouth.
For the fourth consecutive year, Bernie Marvin of Marshwood and Jamie Chamberlain of Cheverus are coaching the team, which was selected following a tryout.
The tournament will be held May 28-29.
The Women’s Division National Tournament began in 1933 as a showcase for post-collegiate and club women’s lacrosse players.
Since that time, it has grown into one of the largest women’s lacrosse events in the nation and includes division championships, a United States national team exhibition, a high school all-star game and a recruiting opportunity for high school players.
MILESTONES were attained by three boys’ lacrosse squads last weekend.
Falmouth’s 14-5 win against Yarmouth on Friday night not only was the Yachtsmen’s first win against the Clippers, but it also snapped Yarmouth’s nine-year, 73-game winning streak on its turf field.
Also on Friday, Lewiston pulled out an 8-7 victory against Cape Elizabeth for its first win over the Capers.
On Saturday afternoon, Messalonskee rallied for an 8-5 victory against Portland — the Eagles’ first win over the Bulldogs.
BEST BETS for boys’ lacrosse games to watch this week include Falmouth at Cape Elizabeth at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and a Friday night doubleheader at Memorial Field in Portland, featuring Windham vs. Cheverus at 5:30 p.m. and Portland vs. Deering at 7:30 p.m.
The top girls’ lacrosse game could come Thursday, when Falmouth visits Waynflete at the Fore River Fields for a 4 p.m. contest.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com
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