SCARBOROUGH – The Scarborough boys lacrosse team, the three-time defending state champ, kicked off its attempted at a four-peat against Westbrook on a cold Thursday evening. The Red Storm took control early and never looked back, ultimately winning 17-3.
“Our boys put in a good week of practice,” Scarborough head coach Joe Hezlep said after the game, “and I think it showed today. We were playing pretty well.”
Westbrook looks to learn from the experience. “We played great the first half,” Blue Blazes head coach Josh Plowman said.
The majority of the action took place on Westbrook’s end of the field, subjecting freshman goalie Alex LeBlanc to the proverbial trial-by-fire. Scarborough barraged LeBlanc with shots throughout the game, scoring seven goals in the first quarter alone. Of those, senior John Wheeler (a U.S. Lacrosse All-American in 2012, with 51 goals and 33 assists) had two, junior Christian Neelon two, seniors Jurien Garrison and Dalton Finley one a piece, and junior Austin Doody one.
The Blue Blazes did make themselves heard, however, on a nimble pass-pass around the back of the Red Storm net to junior Sam Carroll, who took a quick shot and scored.
But Scarborough got that goal back, and five more, in the second quarter, including two from junior Matt Murphy, the second of which came when a pass flew his way, up and over the Westbrook net from behind it. Murphy, charging laterally through the attack area, positioned himself perfectly, leaping in mid-stride, catching the ball and shooting all in one agile, skillful motion.
Going into the half, the Red Storm stood on top, 13-1.
Scarborough’s offensive production decreased drastically in the second half. They put up four goals, including one each by senior Tanner Sutkowski and junior Andrew Farrington, while Westbrook put up two, one by senior Nick Tremblay as well as Carroll’s second. Both Blue Blazes goals came in the last two minutes, allowing them to end on a positive note, despite losing.
Westbrook, 0-1 to start the season, is hardly scared off by a pummeling.
“Last year’s team, we kind of gave up a little bit early,” Plowman said. “This team, we do have a lot of pride we never stop playing.”
The Blue Blazes are young, so they’re banking experience now for future success. “We have six freshmen on varsity: our goalie, two of our attack men, one of our first-line middies, second LSM and another middie,” the coach said.
Scarborough begins their regular season 1-0.
“But it’s game one,” Hezlep said. “We’ve still got a long way to go. We’ve got Cape [Elizabeth] on Tuesday, so we’ll find out again right where we’re at. It’ll be a good showing. We got a lot of guys a lot of playing time tonight.”
Westbrook senior Tanner Verstrat wards off a hit by a Scarborough defender.
Westbrook junior Alec Crimmin carries the ball against Scarborough sophomore Anthony Quintiliani Thursday evening. Staff photos by Adam Birt
Scarborough’s John Wheeler looks to work the ball closer to the Westbrook goal.
Scarborough senior Jurien Garrison goes to the ground after scoring on Westbrook goalie Alex Leblanc.
Scarborough’s Jurien Garrison carries the ball up the sideline against a Westbrook defender.
Westbrook’s Noah Collins pursues Scarborough senior John Wheeler, in possession of the ball.
The Westbrook Blue Blazes break from a huddle.
Westbrook’s Joe Cooper ducks around Scarborough junior Luke Bernard.
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