CHANCE TO CELEBRATE — CeCe Hancock (right) congratulates Jordan Turner after her second half goal against Poland. Hancock scored twice in the first half as the Lakers beat Poland 3-2 for their first win of the season. (Rivet Photo)

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Lakers 3, Poland 2. When your team has scored just four goals in eight games, Lake Region varsity girls’ soccer Coach Harvey Toews had to feel pretty good about his team’s chances last Friday after CeCe Hancock netted two scores.

Of course, Poland put tighter clamps on the talented sophomore the rest of the way, as the Knights closed in. But after just misfiring on a couple of good scoring chances earlier in the game, Jordan Turner finally chipped a drive into the twines to lift the Lakers to a 3-2 victory — the team’s first of the season.

With Poland (4-5) grasping at a playoff berth, the Lakers stunned the Knights early as Hancock ripped two well-placed balls for a 2-0 lead.

Coach Toews liked the energy he saw from winger Taylor Currier, forward Madison Simms and forward Kristen Huntress. Initially, the Knights’ physical play had the Lakers taking a step back, but as the game wore on and their confidence started to mount, the Lakers responded to the challenge with aggressive play from Melody Millett and Lauren Williams.

Beside Hancock, the other star of the game for the Lakers was junior goalie Isabel Scribner, who made several diving stops, as well as managing to get her right glove on a hard-struck ball at point-blank range to deflect the scoring bid away late in the game to preserve the Laker lead.

Old Orchard Beach 2, Lakers 1: The Sea Gulls capitalized on a late penalty kick to stun the Lakers Tuesday.

Next: The Lakers (1-7-1) host North Yarmouth Academy this Friday at 6:45 p.m. at the Art Kilborn Athletic complex. The Lakers then host Fryeburg Academy on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Lakers 4, Poland 1. Senior Lucy Fowler scored with a hard drive from the top of the circle, assisted by Abby Scott-Mitchell at 10:40 in the first half and Destinee Durant tallied at 4:43, assisted by Fowler, to lead the Lakers past the Knights.

Durant was on the left post and connected on a cross from Fowler with a beautiful sweep to send the ball slamming into the boards in the second half.

Fowler scored at 18:41, lifting the ball over the goalie, who was on the ground. Her third goal at 11:14 in the second half was a carry to the left and a reverse stick shot into the goal.

Becky Learned of Poland, scored with 2 minutes left in the game.

Laker goalie Meghan VanLoan had 6 saves. Backs Samantha Marucci and Courtney Yates both had great defensive games.

The Laker offense peppered the Poland net with 16 shots.

• The Laker JV girls also came home with a victory, 5-0. JVs played 7-on-7 for two 15-minute periods.

Destinee Durant scored twice in the first half, unassisted. Nicole Marucci scored both her goals in the second half, one unassisted and one assisted by Elizabeth Cole. Marucci returned the favor by assisting Elizabeth Cole, for her first goal of the season.

Next: The Lakers (8-3) close out their regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Sacopee Valley at 4 p.m.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Freshman Addie Blais posted a 22:24 over the 3.1-mile course at Poland to place fourth in a field of 73 during a seven-school meet last Friday.

Sophomore Audrey Blais returned after a two-week absence due to injury to place sixth in 23:04. Winning time was 20:54.

“Audrey ran very well. She looked very good,” Coach Dan Dors said. “Addie had an excellent run, getting better and stronger. Both girls are dedicated and committed to cross-country. If they both stay healthy, they will surprise at the Western Maine Conference meet in two weeks and Regionals in three weeks.”

Jen Springer and Isabel Brake were 71st and 72nd respectively with times of 38:38 and 39:13. Lake Region failed to score as a team since the squad had just four runners (five are needed to score).

Due to injuries, the Laker boys fielded just three runners — Nick Aceto (44 at 22:29, his best race of the season), Ben Roy (54 at 23:40, a season’s best) and Kyle DeSouza (58 at 24:08). There were 76 runners; winning time was 17:50.

Next: The Lakers return to Poland this Friday to run against the Knights, Sacopee Valley and Fryeburg Academy. Girls at 4:30 p.m., boys at 5 p.m.

GOLF

Lakers 5, Poland 2. Freshman Tyler Walker shot a low round of 38 (four over) to lead Lake Region (6-7) to an upset over the Knights (9-4). Walker downed Ethan Mason of Poland, 38-53.

Senior and top-seed Ben Chaine was also victorious, 40-45 over Nevin Rand. Number 4 Evan Kellough recorded a 52, five shots better than Brad Thurlow. And sophomore Jordan Williams claimed a win, 48-54, over Leah Graves.

Number 3 Ryan Hodgdon fell to Alec Picard, 57-46, while LR’s Jeremy Black was just back of Joey Pelletier, 50-47.