BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford High boys’ lacrosse team thinks it has the chance to be pretty good and make a run in the Class B playoffs. With three tough games on the schedule this week, the Tigers will get the chance to see how good they are, and how much work they need to do in the second half of the season.
Biddeford’s 13-4 win over Freeport on Tuesday afternoon was another example of what has made the 5-0 Tigers successful so far this season: A tight, stifling defense combined with a quick strike, opportunistic offensive attack.
“This is our toughest week,” said Biddeford goalie Brycen Wolfhart, one of the team’s captains. “Freeport today, then Marshwood (Thursday) and Wells (Saturday) back-to-back away. They’re tough teams, and they’re tougher at home.”
With the score tied 1-1 less than two minutes into the game, the Tigers reeled off seven consecutive goals to pull away in a first half played through a steady rain. Biddeford led 11-3 at the half, and was never threatened in the second. It was the fifth straight game in which the Tigers allowed four or fewer goals.
“I think our offense really stepped up today. Defense, when we had to make plays we made our plays,” senior defender Callum Labonte, also a captain, said.
For the Tigers, this season is about building on last season, when they went 11-3 and advance to the Class B quarterfinals.
“We’ve got some senior leadership. It starts with our defense from the goalie out. We take pride in shutting things down defensively. They’ve just carried on from last year,” Jason Martel, Biddeford’s coach, said. “It’s not individual ball. It’s team ball, and they’ve bought into the concept.”
Wolfhart, who made four saves, credited a defensive unit led by seniors Labonte, Colin Gregoire, and Jackson Pollard – along with junior long stick midfielder Noah Hallett – for keeping the pressure off him in net.
“They make it easy for me. They give me the opportunity to play my game,” Wolfhart said.
All of Biddeford’s goals came from three players. Sophomore Wyatt Labonte, Callum’s brother, led the Tigers with six goals. Senior Patrick O’Driscoll added four, and senior Sam Harriman scored three. The three opened up shots for each other with sharp passes, sharing the ball well. That’s been a theme throughout the season, Wyatt Labonte said.
“We’re looking for the pass before the shot, and I think that really helps with putting points up on the board,” he said.
Adam Clough made seven saves for the Falcons (1-4).
As the schedule gets harder, Martel wants his team to continue focusing on the little things.
“It’s Lacrosse 101. It’s the ground ball game, crisp passes, it comes down to the little things. That’s what’s going to keep them (successful) when they play teams that are going to pressure them everywhere,” Martel said.
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