YARMOUTH, MAINE – APRIL 20, 2019: Greely versus Kennebunk girls lacrosse game played at North Yarmouth Academy. Kennebunk’s #16, Mia Banglmeier, looks for a shot against Greely defenders Haley Vaccarello (#1) and Sam Goldburg (#13). (Photo by John Ewing/Staff Photographer

KENNEBUNK — After Mia Banglmaier missed the 2018 lacrosse season due to an ACL tear she suffered in the winter, the Kennebunk midfielder vowed to attack her recovery in hopes of leading the Rams to a championship. 

Her dedication paid off this season. The junior finished with 15 goals, 11 assists, 32 ground balls and 45 draw controls, and helped lead Kennebunk to a Class A state title appearance. For her efforts, Banglmaier is the Journal Tribune Most Valuable Player of the 2019 girls’ lacrosse season. 

“Coming back from injury, I didn’t want to regret how I played,” Banglmaier said. “I really focused on working as hard as I could (during rehab) and every game.”

Banglmaier tore her ACL the winter of her sophomore year while skiing for Kennebunk’s alpine team. The injury placed her on the sidelines for her sophomore season. 

Banglmaier’s full recovery to game action took longer than she expected, but she felt that extra time to rehabilitate her knee gave her more confidence to trust herself. Banglmaier didn’t suffer any setbacks, and she leaned on support from her teammates and family to stay positive.

“Because I had such a long recovery, I felt strong enough to do my job,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I was that nervous, especially because the team was very understanding and there wasn’t really any pressure coming back.”

Even though Kennebunk head coach Ann Barker admits she thought Banglmaier was “tentative” at the start of the season, she saw improvement in her junior each time she took the field.

“Every game she played, she got better,” Barker said. 

Kennebunk got better, too.

After a close 7-6 loss to Yarmouth in May to fall to 2-2, the Rams won six of their last seven games to finish with a 9-3 record and earn the No. 1 seed in the Class A south playoff tournament. 

Banglmaier was a key component in every facet for Kennebunk in those games, providing energy on both sides of the field for the Rams. Barker took notice of Banglmaier’s versatility.

“(Mia’s) a very smart player and understands the game completely,” Barker said. “She leads by how she plays. She’s not as vocal as some of her other teammates, but she’s very important in what we do both offensively and defensively.”

In the playoffs, Kennebunk rolled past Windham, 12-3, in the Class A south semifinals, then got by rival Massabesic 6-4 in the regional final to set up a state title match against Falmouth.

In the championship game, with Kennebunk trailing 3-2 with under 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Banglmaier set up Elizabeth Kiezulas for the tying goal. However, Falmouth thwarted Kennebunk’s state title bid by scoring twice over the final eight minutes.

Despite a bitter end to the season, Banglmaier anticipates the Rams to be even stronger next spring. Kennebunk loses just two seniors, and with another year to get her knee stronger, Banglmaier looks forward to taking on a bigger role.

“I’m really excited to see what I can do next year.” Banglmaier said.

In preparation for the 2019 season, Banglmaier participated in winter sessions at Maineiax Lacrosse at its indoor facilities in Portland. She competed against athletes from surrounding towns to help develop her skills and fundamentals. She also incorporated weight lifting and running into her training. 

Banglmaier hopes to play lacrosse in college, and she has already started to make sacrifices for that to happen. This fall, Banglmaier, who played soccer her freshman and sophomore seasons, will opt to run cross country. While Banglmaier admits the primary factor to switch was to enjoy more time with her friends, she also wants to use the added running as a way to get stronger for lacrosse.

“There was definitely a social aspect that drew me to cross country,” Banglmaier said. “But, it will also help me get into shape for lacrosse heading into the winter.”

Barker described Banglmaier as a “quiet leader,” who goes about her business by example,  and the junior has been an important mentor to the underclassmen on the team. 

Those instances where Banglmaier take ownership of her younger teammates brings happiness to Barker.

“She’s such a pleasure to coach. Whatever you ask her to do, she’s not afraid to try it.” Barker said. “She’s been a joy every day.”

Meet the All-Stars

MVP:  Mia Banglmaier, Kennebunk 

ROY: Neely Connor, Kennebunk

Skylar Renaud, Massabesic

Lily Schwartzman, Kennebunk

Cailyn Forrester, Massabesic

Cat Henaire, Thornton Academy

McKenzy Ouellette, Massabesic

Paige Laverriere, Biddeford

Sophie Thompson, Kennebunk

Emily Carleton, Noble

Sarah Desvergnes, Massabesic

Haley Moody, Kennebunk

Danielle Gassman, Kennebunk

Abby Allen, Biddeford

Valentina Drown, Sanford

Izzy White, Thornton Academy

Katie Castle, Massabesic

Grace Boisvert, Biddeford

Megan Mourmouras, Biddeford