If Falmouth was going to fold, this was the time.
A five-goal lead had dwindled to two with more than 10 minutes remaining in the Class A girls’ lacrosse state championship game. Falmouth, a team with one senior, was making its first appearance. Massabesic, the defending state champion with a roster that included 12 seniors, was in the final for the fifth time in six years.
“They obviously had momentum,” said Chelsey Smithwick, Falmouth’s lone senior. “We just had to stay calm and composed like we do, and we did.”
Indeed, with sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Dubinsky as the backbone, Falmouth’s defense did not allow another score and the young Yachtsmen waltzed away with a 10-7 victory Saturday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Six players scored for Falmouth (13-2), which had lost 11-9 to Massabesic (14-2) a month ago in Waterboro. Junior Caitlyn Camelio led the way Saturday with four goals, three of them in the second half.
“I think we all came in here a little bit nervous,” Camelio said, “but once we stepped on the field, everyone was just ready.”
The Mustangs jumped ahead 1-0 on the first of two goals by Morgan Pike, but Falmouth quickly assumed control with goals two minutes apart by Christina Oakes and Kayla Sarazin, and then stretched that lead to 6-3 at halftime. Smithwick, Camelio, freshman Evan Clement and junior Josephine Stucker also scored for Falmouth before intermission.
“To have that many players contributing on attack is huge,” said Falmouth first-year head coach Ashley Pullen, who led Messalonskee to the 2016 Class A state title over Massabesic. “That has been a mantra all season long. If you want to try to shut down one threat or a second threat, go for it. We have others.”
When Sarazin scored from the free position eight minutes after intermission to give Falmouth a 9-4 lead, the outcome seemed assured. Instead, Massabesic answered with three consecutive goals, the last by Hallie Benton, to make it 9-7 with 10:24 remaining.
“It was a very palpable momentum shift,” said Pullen, who chose that moment to call time. “I know Massabesic is dangerous when the momentum is on their side. If you’re trying to settle your team down in that moment, that’s a scary place to be. But we have worked all season long and especially since the playoffs began. … You keep your cool. You stay confident. You don’t panic.”
The kids were all right. Massabesic senior Madison Drain, the 2017 Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year, was held to two goals and one assist. Falmouth’s trio of Clement, Sarazin and Camelio won 8 of 10 draws in the first half and 3 of 5 in the second. Falmouth also won the ground ball battle, 24-14.
“I certainly wouldn’t say we got caught by surprise,” said Massabesic Coach Brooks Bowen. “That’s a high-quality program. … They handle the ball well. They get up and down the field well. And they were too much for us (Saturday).”
Dubinsky made five of her nine saves in the second half. Camelio added an insurance goal with just under six minutes remaining, the only score in the game’s final 10 minutes, as Clement notched her third assist.
Falmouth had seen its season end in the Class B North final for the past three years.
“We came in and just knew we had nothing to lose,” Smithwick said.
“Best feeling ever,” Camelio said. “I can’t even describe it. All of our hard work for the past three months just came together. It was awesome.”
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