CAPE ELIZABETH — It was the first live game action of the season for the Thornton Academy field hockey team, but the Trojans looked to be in midseason form on the attack in a preseason scrimmage against Cape Elizabeth Friday at Hannaford Field.

TA scored 2:35 into the contest, as Bella Robinson broke the ice on the new season. Taylor Ouellette added a goal less than two minutes later.

Libby Pomerleau scored midway through the first half as the Trojans took a 3-0 lead. The reserves then played the rest of the first half.

After making some halftime adjustments, the starters went back out to start the second half. The offense looked even better.

Ouellette scored two goals in the first two minutes, Robinson added another one minute later, then her third of the game five minutes in. Pomerleau scored again later in the half, and Cat Henaire and Claire Decker added goals as the Trojans netted an even 10 in their first game against an opponent other than themselves.

“Definitely our offense looked really potent,” said TA head coach Lori Smith. “Even my top players I felt like watching them today I could tell they’ve improved seven since last season.”

Some of those players Smith alluded to included Pomerleau, the Trojans’ top scorer from last season who Smith said has improved her decision-making with the ball while adding some new moves, and Grace Pickering, Thornton’s central midfielder who has dialed up her stick skills. Pickering was key in TA’s transition game and in starting the offense.

Smith liked what she saw from Robinson, who played basketball during the summer but showed no rust in the preseason opener. She was also impressed by Decker, a sophomore in her second varsity year whose chip-shot goal Smith called “pretty sweet.”

But as scrimmages don’t count toward any standings, Friday’s action meant more for TA’s younger players. And Smith liked what she saw from that group.

“I definitely saw an improvement from the first half to the second half for the younger players,” said Smith. “That was good for them to get a little varsity experience under their belt.”

Smith said the team looks fast once again – she said that’s been a trend in recent years, which works to TA’s advantage playing home games on artificial turf – and the team communicated well during the game, which was something TA talked about doing before the game.

The 10 goals were a welcome sight for Smith, whose team scored just one in a season-ending loss to eventual state champion Scarborough in last year’s playoffs. That game was just over nine months ago, but is still stuck in the minds of all the returning players.

“I think they got hungry the minute our game ended against Scarborough last season,” said Smith.

TA will have plenty of competition in the SMAA this year, according to Smith, who foresees increased parity in the league this year. But if the Trojans can build on Friday’s first game action, they should be all right.

“I have a core group of players who just love the game, and they played all winter, and you can see the results now. I’m fortunate that way,” said Smith. “We’re pretty optimistic.”

— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.