WINDHAM – Halfway through both their seasons, and with each of them hovering around the .500 mark, Windham and South Portland were both hoping for a win on Monday. When the boys lacrosse game ended though, South Portland was on the way up and Windham going the opposite.
After holding a speedy Red Riots team scoreless in the first quarter, Windham’s defensive-minded play began to catch up with them as South Portland opened up the scoring and wouldn’t look back. The Riots put up four goals in the first eight minutes of the quarter.
“Give them credit, they really adjusted to the way our defense was playing,” said Windham coach Pete Small. “We had been able to make a lot of our slides to get to them in the first, then they just adjusted and found some seams.”
South Portland continued to patiently weave through and around the Windham defense, frustrating the Eagles and forcing them to play on their heels.
“Our kids just started getting the ball over the top and finding the open man in position,” said Riots coach Tom Fiorini.
After going into the half down 6-0, Windham came back out with the tenacious play they had shown in the first quarter, again slowing down the South Portland attack for most of the third.
“We’re a strong team first and third quarter,” said Small.
Unfortunately, they were only able to add a goal from Christian Zwirner, making it 6-1, before South Portland answered. Duncan Preston set up shop about 20 yards out and fired a bullet that found the back of the Windham net.
“I think we’re playing defense a little more than offense usually, and that works for us for a while, but then pushing that ball up field becomes a bit of an Achilles’ heel,” said Small.
The scoring continued in the fourth for South Portland, and as the deficit got higher, the play on the field got chippy from both teams, with a handful of flags being thrown and warnings given.
“Frustration set in a little with us because things weren’t clicking, and with them because they couldn’t put any points on the board,” said Fiorini.
Small said he was proud of how both teams handled the tough play.
“I credit both teams to back off and walk away and play the last five or six minutes without that chippiness, so it’s a credit to these kids,” he said.
The Riots tallied up five goals in the fourth quarter to push the final score to 12-1. Mike Salvatore finished with three goals and two assists, while Joey DiBiase added two of his own. South Portland has a difficult schedule ahead of them, as the Riots face some tough competition in Thornton Academy (scheduled for Wednesday) and Kennebunk (May 23).
“We’ll see what kind of team we are after we play those two,” said Fiorini.
Windham has Deering and Freeport coming up on its schedule.
Windham’s Cory Schweitzer runs the ball down field while he’s defended by South Portland’s Mike Salvatore in Monday’s boys lacrosse game in Windham. The Red Riots made easy work of the Eagles with a 12-1 victory. (Photos by Brandon McKenney)
Thomas Leddy of South Portland fires one of his 10 shots on goal during Monday’s boys lacrosse game in Windham. The Red Riots made easy work of the Eagles with a 12-1 victory.
Windham’s Damian Cummings is brought down by South Portland’s Colton Jervais (11) during Monday’s game in Windham. The Red Riots captured a 12-1 win against the Eagles.
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