BIDDEFORD – Nick McSorley scored five times and CJ Thorne completed a hat trick to lead the Biddeford boys lacrosse team past visiting Massabesic 8-7 in both teams’ season opener. 

The Tigers and Mustangs began the fourth quarter locked at 7-all. Then Thorne scored to give Biddeford a one-point lead that they didn’t relinquish. 

“I could go point out my offense guys and my defense but I’m giving them a total team win because it’s the little things that I told them that are going to win games,” said Biddeford head coach Jason Martel. “Like how to ride, how to clear, constantly have to work when you don’t have the ball in possession anymore those are the things that I saw tonight.”

The two clubs battled in a tight contest throughout the whole game. 

Biddeford took an early 1-0 lead in the opening five minutes after a goal from McSorley but Massabesic responded shortly after.

With 2:23 left in the first quarter, Max Irons tied the game for the Mustangs.

About a minute later, McSorley scored again as Biddeford reclaimed the advantage.

With five seconds left in the first quarter, Jacob Travis hurtled the ball into Biddeford’s net to tie the game 2-2.

“Rough start for us,” said Massabesic head coach Steve Gallo. “Not a step in the right direction, felt like we played way under our potential but a crazy game. It was exciting, fun to watch, a good opener, classic rivalry so there’s stuff to work on.”

Less then two minutes into the second quarter, Thorne scored to give Biddeford a lead but Massabesic answered with a goal from Irons about two minutes later.

With 2:04 remaining in the first half, McSorley scored to give the Tigers a one-point advantage.

“At first, I was worried about the numbers because we don’t have quite the lines we need to sub out but these kids worked,” said Martel. 

Thorne would give the Tigers their biggest lead of the night after scoring five minutes into the third quarter. He would produce a 5-3 score.

“CJ’s a senior, I’ve coached him for a long time, he’s got a rifle,” said Martel.

The Mustangs cut the two-point lead down to one after Travis scored again.

“Jacob Travis had a lot of good takes tonight most of our offense came from him and Max Irons really trying to get it done,” said Gallo. “Good contributions, good effort, execution was a little sloppy but all and all not to bad.”

McSorley scored 15 seconds into the fourth quarter to give the Tigers another two-point lead 7-5.

“Nick McSorely – he’s a weapon,” said Martel. “He’s really good in hockey, and he transitioned over to lacrosse.”

The Mustangs closed the gap as Brady Cormier scored on an open goal and three minutes later Winter Witten scored to tie the game 7-7.

With 5:25 left in the contest, Thorne scored to secure the victory for the Tigers and a produce an 8-7 final score.

“They held on, I’m really proud of these kids – they’ve literally overcome a lot when it comes to lack of numbers and having to drive four quarters, they’re super tired and I continue to ask for more,” said Martel. “I’m beyond words of how excited I am for these guys because they really worked, they didn’t quit, they didn’t give up even with a man down they were still working.”

The Tigers start the season 1-0, while the Mustangs drop to 0-1.

“Everybody wants to start off with a win,” Martel said. “Massabesic is a great team … (The team is) going to go home right now and be on top of the world with their confidence and now we’re only going to build on it.”

Massabesic will host Kennebunk on April 23, while Biddeford travels to Marshwood for their next game April, 24. 

— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.