Despite strong showings from key individuals across all areas of the field – including offensive contributions from a diverse group of girls – the Freeport Falcons couldn’t keep pace with the visiting York Wildcats on Thursday afternoon.
York opened a moderate lead in the first half then sealed the deal in the second, adding four more of their own while also silencing Freeport completely for an 11-4 final.
“Playing a team like York that’s physical and aggressive and fast, it was difficult for us to hold our own,” said Falcons head coach Marcia Wood. “We have a lot to work on.”
The loss drops Freeport to 0-1 on the season, and bumps York to 1-0. The contest was the Falcons’ home opener, at least in name; it actually took place at NYA.
The Falcons got on the board first, not long after the action kicked off. Emily Johnson put the team up 1-0 inside the opening minute, and Jasmine Olins bumped them ahead 2-0 just 65 seconds later.
The Wildcats quickly adjusted their defense, however, and quieted Freeport for the next 18 minutes – during which time York found their own groove on the attack and posted seven, including a pair by Emma Rohrer.
The Falcons surged before the half, adding two more – the first by Chloe Davidson (from Taylor Rinaldi) and the second by Courtney Broderick (from Johnson) – for a 7-4 score at the break.
“Yesterday was our first time on a field, practicing,” said Wood, highlighting a difficulty many teams face, come lacrosse season. While real-grass fields, like Freeport’s, typically remain too wet to practice on for some time after the snow melts, artificial surfaces generally drain better and are playable earlier.
“So, an hour-and-a-half on half a field to figure out a game-plan clearly is not enough time get yourself prepared,” she added.
A dearth of on-field time was not the only challenge plaguing the Falcons, though. Wood is fresh to the team; a period of adjustment naturally follows the transition to a new coach, of course, and the squad is testing new strategies as well.
“We’re working a whole new defense than I think they’re used to,” Wood said, “and we’re struggling there. But we’ve made great leaps so far, up to now.”
Moreover, while Freeport advanced all the way to 2014’s B East Regional Final against Yarmouth, graduation claimed a number of key personnel from that roster. Every team loses members each June, but not every player that moves on is as impressive in her position as former Falcons goalie Molly Lane was in hers.
Sam Jordan is Lane’s replacement, and saw her first varsity action Thursday. Wood praised Jordan’s performance.
“She was injured last year, and kind of mimicked Molly – so she learned a lot there. She’s been playing great,” Wood said.
Wood also praised Brooklyn Washburn’s play on defense. She cited the Falcons’ attack as a particular weakness. “We were quick on attack and threw [the ball] away too much; we shouldn’t have. But it’s going to come with game experience.
“We haven’t really focused on attack at all. We’ve just been working, working, working on defense and trying to get that figured out,” she said. “Yesterday was the first day that we talked a little bit about attack.
“We have some great shooters, one vs. one, but we’ve got to work on getting them to see the open person and make a good pass and do something with it. Right now, we’re not working so well as a team on attack.”
York furthered their lead in the second half: Rohrer hashed her hat trick, Mackenzie Mallett added two and Amanda Lillie earned her second as well. Meanwhile, the Falcons failed to find the back of the net again, making for the 11-4 final.
It will take time, but this new version of a strong squad will develop its chemistry.
“Quiet,” said Wood, “they’re very quiet. We’re working on our communication. They’re growing fast, they’ll get it.”
Freeport gets their next shot at victory at Cape Elizabeth on Thursday, April 30. York welcomes Yarmouth that same day.
Freeporter Chloe Davidson takes the second-half opening faceoff versus York on Thursday.
Lizzy Martin keeps a step ahead of her York opponent in a race to a groundball on Thursday.
Taylor Rinaldi moves through midfield on the attack for Freeport Thursday evening.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
