Family members of Freeport High School lacrosse player Steel Crawford observe a moment of remembrance before a fundraising lacrosse tournament Sunday in Freeport. Crawford drowned in the Saco River after jumping from a rope swing this month. (Carl D. Walsh/Portland Press Herald)

FREEPORT — A cheer of “Steel” followed by another of “Strong” bellowed from the crowd at Freeport High on Sunday as more than 1,000 people showed their admiration for a student who died earlier this month. 

The SteelStrong charity lacrosse match, which was created in memory of Steel Crawford, a 17-year-old Freeport High student and lacrosse captain, who died Aug. 9 after an accident on the Saco River, served as a benefit to the Crawford family. 

For North Yarmouth Academy senior Ryan Baker, one of Crawford’s best friends, seeing the outpour of support from the community was overwhelming.

“(The turnout) was amazing,” said Baker, who helped organize the contest in about a week. “I don’t even know what to say. This day was just awesome.”

Many in the crowd wore “#SteelStrong” T-Shirts, and 100 lacrosse players from the high school and college level competed in the friendly event. Even though Thornton Academy attacker Preston Briggs didn’t know Crawford personally, he said seeing players from different schools come together is an example of how close knit the Maine lacrosse community has become over the years.

“The atmosphere today is great,” Briggs said. “Everyone around here is all playing for one reason … It doesn’t matter what team we’re on or where we’re coming from. We’re all here together.”

Scarborough senior attacker Alden Leadley played against Crawford a few times. While he didn’t know Crawford well on a personal level, either, Leadley jumped at the opportunity to play when he got the invite. 

“When (Crawford) died, it was definitely hard to hear,” Leadley said. “But to play today and to have this turnout is really special.”

One person who helped organize the charity match was Freeport lacrosse head coach Geoff Arris. Arris only knew of Baker from his prowess on the field, but, after witnessing the work he put in behind the scenes to honor his friend, Arris developed a deep admiration for the senior. 

“I’m just blown away (by Baker),” Arris said. “What he has done, and how much love he has for Crawford is just amazing … Ryan brought this game to Freeport and he’s not even from here.  His organization skills are bar none. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Arris said holding the game in Crawford’s memory is similar to how the eastern Woodland Native Americans originally intended to play when they discovered the sport in the 1600s. On Sunday, lacrosse players from across the state took the field to help with their healing process.

“This day is special,” Arris said. “We are healing together, and the best way to do that is to bang some heads, sweat a little bit and grind. We are honoring him the best we can.”

Even though the game was free,approximately $18,000 in donations were raised. Those funds will help offset Crawford’s funeral expenses. The rest of the money will go to a scholarship fund in Crawford’s name. 

As of Monday evening, a GoFundMe campaign had raised approximately $27,000 to benefit Crawford’s family. Baker hopes to continue the charity event in the future. 

“(Bringing the game back next year) is the goal,” he said. “It’s going to take a little more planning. I think we might try to make it a full-day tournament. We hope to get teams formed and just play.”