BIDDEFORD – The goal for the Biddeford girls’ lacrosse team coming into this year was to show the rest of the state that the Tigers can play with anyone. 

 After Biddeford (10-2) finished off its regular season with a 17-6 victory over Scarborough (1-11) Thursday on Senior Night at Waterhouse Field, this version of the black and orange is starting to make believers. 

“We’re trying to make our mark here in lacrosse,” said Biddeford coach Caitlin Albert. “Usually it’s the same teams that are winning, and we just want to put Biddeford lacrosse on the map … I think we’re doing pretty well.” 

The Tigers entered Thursday’s contest with the Red Storm winners of six straight while averaging 14.5 goals per game over that span. Albert credited the late-season momentum to her players’ better understanding of when to use their team-speed to their advantage and when to slow the ball down to set-up a look when a break isn’t open. 

The transition game worked early on against Scarborough, with Biddeford’s Paige Laverriere setting the tone with a goal off of a Red Storm turnover at 17:09 of the first half. The senior’s goal sparked a 6-0 Tigers run that included a pair of scores by junior Megan Mourmouras, and one each for sophomore Abby Allen, junior Kairlye McQueen and senior Grace Boisvert. 

Boisvert’s goal was assisted by Laverriere who threaded a seam in the Red Storm defense to set up her cutting teammate with a perfect shooting lane. The moment demonstrated how well this group of seniors – Laverriere, Boisvert, Brooke Reissfelder, Madelyn Farley, Ella Mckenzie and Hailey Allen – has meshed over the years since they started playing lacrosse together in the fifth grade.   

Senior Hailey Allen walks down the field at the start of the Biddeford-Scarborough girls’ lacrosse game Thursday to score an unopposed goal. Allen missed the entire lacrosse season due to an ACL injury she suffered during the field hockey season. (MAUREEN GRANDMAISON PHOTOGRAPHY)

“They’re so close,” Albert said. “They’ve just been so awesome. I don’t want them to graduate.” 

 Biddeford kept the pressure on Scarborough’s defense in the first half, scoring four goals in the final 1:57 of the first stanza. Despite the margin on the scoreboard, the Red Storm seemed to play more inspired when adversity struck. 

Scarborough answered a Biddeford penalty in the first half that sent one of the Red Storm players to the bench with a bloody lip with a goal by senior Erin Stolz. After being challenged by their coach at halftime, the Red Storm held possession for the first 2:03 of the second half before freshman Darby Stolz scored to make the margin 11-3. 

Biddeford’s high-octane attack proved too much for Scarborough down the stretch, as the Tigers placed 33 shots on net and rattled off the next five goals. With 12:47 left in the game, Scarborough coach Emily Hopkins called a timeout and reminded her team to have fun playing a sport they love on a beautiful night.  

“If we let stuff (out of our control) get to us, then we’re giving that negativity space in our hearts and in our minds,” she said. “I wanted them to still be able to end the season with a smile on their faces.” 

Laverriere finished with a game-high four goals. Abby Allen and Mourmouras both had a hat-trick and McQueen chipped in with two goals. Abby Allen led the Tigers with four assists, and Laverriere had a pair. McKenzie saved seven shots in goal for Biddeford. Erin Stolz led Scarborough with a hat trick of her own, and the senior shared a moment with her coach as the two briefly embraced after the game.  

“I am always proud of my girls,” Hopkins said. “I think we had a really tough season, but I don’t think they ever gave up. They played until the last whistle and they played as hard as I asked them to.” 

A special moment  

At the start of the game, Scarborough let injured Biddeford senior Hailey Allen score a goal to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Hailey Allen tore her ACL during the field hockey postseason and missed the entire lacrosse season. 

Biddeford then allowed Scarborough to score an unopposed goal to tie the game at 1-all. 

 Up Next 

Scarborough’s season comes to a close. 

Biddeford waits to see who, when and where they’ll play this postseason. For now, the Tigers and Scarborough alum Albert will enjoy the victory. 

“It means a lot,” Albert said. “Having a nice send off (for the seniors) with a nice win to go into the playoffs is great. All in all … you can’t ask for better.”