Scarborough High fired shots early, often and from multiple angles Saturday, keeping pressure on Brunswick throughout while scoring an 18-10 victory in the Class A boys’ lacrosse state final at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Scarborough (12-3), making its first title-game appearance since 2013, when it won its fourth straight championship, got off 30 first-half shots against defending champion Brunswick (12-3), playing in the final for the third straight season.
RECENT CHAMPS
2016: Scarborough
2015: Brunswick
2014: South Portland
2013: Scarborough
2012: Scarborough
2011: Scarborough
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“They have guys who can flat-out score and we knew we had to continue to push,” said Scarborough Coach Joe Hezlep. “Even at halftime (with a 10-5 lead) I didn’t feel great. I felt good but we knew we had to continue to go.”
The halftime margin easily could have been larger except for superior saves by Logan Ouellette (10 of his 16 saves in the first half).
After Jameson Cyr of Brunswick made it 2-2, the Red Storm scored four straight goals and seven of the next eight to go ahead 9-3.
Numerous Scarborough players showed they could beat their defender one-on-one. Cam Thibault scored three of his four goals in the first quarter. Sam Neugebauer and Marco Manfra each had two in the second quarter on their way to four-goal games.
“We knew that we had to really come out fast and strong, and if we came out quick we could possibly win,” Thibault said. “That was kind of the game plan. We just wanted to play like we can. We talked about wanting to get (shots) on frame as much as we could.”
Manfra was particularly effective setting up the offense from behind the net, helping to keep the ball moving crisply.
“I knew I would be getting a lot of looks, either to score or to assist on a teammate’s cut,” Manfra said. “Everybody was getting involved.”
Brunswick scored twice late in the second quarter, including a man-up score on a hard, low shot by long-stick midfielder Christian Glover, but the Storm closed the half with a fast-break rush by Cam Nigro that set up Neugebauer for the finish.
In the third quarter, Scarborough continued to beat players on dodges and get in tight for chances. Marc Guerette scored twice, Thibault got his fourth as he was falling after weaving through traffic, and freshman Andrew Granzier picked up a rebound and deposited it.
Scarborough led 15-7 after three quarters and had outshot Brunswick, 42-22. Only in the fourth quarter did the Red Storm occasionally slow the pace but they still had a huge edge in possession, finishing with a 53-26 shot advantage.
Camden Jepson, with occasional help from Cam Nigro, controlled the faceoffs for Scarborough.
“Faceoffs are key for transitions,” Jepson said. “It’s all about possession in the game of lacrosse, so if you get a lot of possessions you’re most likely going to score a lot of goals.”
Brunswick graduated 16 players from last year’s championship team and had 19 new players on its roster. Max Gramins scored three goals for Brunswick, and Cyr and Josh Dorr each scored twice.
“For us to be here today, we just took it as this is icing on the cake,” Brunswick Coach Don Glover said. “Joe (Hezlep) and Scarborough, they deserved it. They worked their butts off and they attacked and did a lot of really good stuff.”
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