Thornton Academy’s Wyatt LeBlanc celebrates after scoring a goal in Wednesday’s Class A South boys lacrosse regional championship game against Cape Elizabeth. Pat McDonald/Journal Tribune
SACO — Six times.
That is the amount of times the Thornton Academy boys lacrosse team has appeared in the regional final. The amount of times they had won — zero.
That number changed Wednesday evening at Hill Stadium, as the undefeated Trojans took down Cape Elizabeth, 15-5, and punched their ticket to the Class A state title game.
“It’s huge to get over that hump. We’ve been on the door step six times,” said TA head coach Ryan Hersey.
Right from the opening face-off, the Trojans did not waste any time taking the lead and junior attackman, Thomas Levasseur, was a catalyst for that. In the first quarter, Levasseur connected on three shots and assisted on two more.
After three unanswered goals, the Capers got on the board with a Sam Dresser goal that was set up by Tate Perkins, closing the gap on Thornton’s lead. The fast start by the Trojans was too hard to recover from. At the end of the first, the score was 6-1.
“We knew these guys were going to come out hard. We had to put in the back of our minds that we needed to come out harder,” said Levassuer about Cape Elizabeth.
Thornton Academy’s CJ LaBreck works past a Cape Elizabeth defender during Wednesday’s Class A South final. Pat McDonald/Journal Tribune
The Trojans had beat the Capers in double-overtime thriller back in April and this was the anticipated rematch.
In the second quarter, the Capers got the game in reach. Perkins was able to connect with Dresser again. Senior teammate Finn Raymond was also able to connect from 10 yards out to shrink the Trojan lead to only 7-3 at halftime.
The third quarter was really when the game opened up for Hersey’s squad.
“The third quarter was a pivotal quarter. We came out and put them away,” Hersey said.
The lead eventually grew to 14-4 in the fourth quarter, when Edborg released an a shot at the top of the crease. Junior CJ LaBreck put the finishing touch on the game when he scored with three minutes remaining.
When the buzzer sounded and the sticks flew into the air, the Trojans were headed to their first state championship.
Entering the game 13-0, the Trojans had the unique advantage to have the championship game played on their home field. From the raucous “T-A” chants, the Thornton crowd did not disappoint. The players fed right off that energy and senior Noah Edborg appreciated that.
“This wasn’t just for this team. It was for everyone before us, after us, and everyone in the community. We wanted this bad,” said Edborg, who finished the game with four goals and an assist.
Since this is the first time that Thornton is heading to the state final, there was a lot to be happy about. Hersey is proud of his whole program, but especially his large senior class.
“We have a team that inspires each other to get better and that starts with the seniors. They are true leaders and I am so proud of them,” praised Hersey.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup against Falmouth, Levasseur sees the opportunity they have to bring home a state title.
“We know we have the talent on this team and the grit. We may never get this opportunity again,” said the junior attacker.
For Edborg, the senior knows exactly what it is going to take.
“Keep everything 100 percent and play perfectly. That is what you need to win.”
— Sports Writer Brandon Eckles can be reached at beckles@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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