LUCY FOWLER sends a centering pass late in the game against York Monday. The Wildcats scored off the opening face-off, which proved to be the game winner. (Rivet Photo)

FIELD HOCKEY

When the Lakers pulled the trigger and fired shots on the Greely net in the season opener last Thursday, most of the time they made them count.

The Lakers built a 3-0 lead at halftime and rolled past the Rangers 5-0. Abby Scott-Mitchell put LR up 1-0 at the 24:35 mark, assisted by Lucy Fowler.

Fowler, who led the team in scoring a year ago, netted her first goal (unassisted) just 24 seconds later. Nicole Marucci made it 3-0, assisted by Destinee Durant at 9:22.

The Laker offense kept rolling in the second half as Fowler scored at 8:49, assisted by Scott Mitchell at 8:49. And, that combo reversed itself at 5:45 left as Scott Mitchell scored her secong goal, assisted by Fowler. LR had 10 shots, while goalie Meghan VanLoan faced just two drives by the Rangers.

“I thought we had great speed, great spacing and great chemistry in that game,” Lake Region Coach Pauline Webb said. “For a first game, I thought we played better than I might have expected.”

Goals, however, were a rarity Monday when the Lakers hosted York in a rematch of last year’s semi-final loss at the hands of the Wildcats.

Off the opening face-off, the Rangers sent a long, well-placed aerial ball deep into Laker territory where Taylor Simpson collected the ball and beat Laker goalie Meghan VanLoan just 36 seconds into the contest.

And, that would be it. York 1, Lake Region 0.

“It was a very smart play. We had the sun in our eyes. They executed an aerial (a high, lifted pass) that went over our defense and scored. Taylor Simpson is a very good player, and when she got the ball on her stick, off she went,” Coach Webb said. “We haven’t seen the aerial, but we have been practicing it. I was hoping our girls would use it, as well, but we didn’t until late in the game.”

Lake Region struggled mightily to find any offense. While the team managed to dominate territorial play during significant portions of the contest, the Lakers were unable to engineer any major threat on the York net.

“I think at times we got too anxious, too tense. We didn’t play the way we usually do,” Coach Webb said. “I reminded our team before the game that we had lost to York in the playoffs in hopes that it would motivate them, but unfortunately, this was Senior Awareness (Day) and some of the kids had hiked nine miles yesterday and slept in tents and even though the kids told me they would be ready, there were no legs out there today. We were slow. This was not the team I had against Greely, where we had speed all over the field. We had energy. Today, I pulled out some kids who I don’t usually take out of the game because they couldn’t run.”

LR’s two best chances came late in the game when Lucy Fowler drilled a strong crossing ball from the right side to the far corner of the net where Elizabeth Schreiber, who was parked at the far post, was unable to stop and redirect the ball. Instead, the ball sailed wide.

Later, another cross was deflected and LR winger Abby Scott-Mitchell was unable to get her stick on the ball at waist level and was ultimately called for a high stick.

After the goal, York also had limited opportunities. One shot in the second half hit the outer portion of the right post and deflected away. The Wildcats had 7 shots to Lake Region’s 3.

“I hope we can take this game as a stepping stone for better things to come,” Coach Webb said. “I told them go home, fuel up and be ready for practice tomorrow.”

In junior varsity play, the Lakers downed Greely 4-2. Since the team lacks enough players to field a full squad, the Lakers will play 7-on-7 games this season.

Molly Christensen, Destinee Durant and Rachel Bell all had unassisted goals. Spencer True also scored, assisted by Bridgette Letarte.

Next: The Lakers host Poland on Friday at 4 p.m. and travel to Fryeburg Academy on Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. contest.

SULLIVAN TIDD sizes up his putt attempt during varsity golf action at Bridgton Highlands.

GOLF

In the season opener at Bridgton Highlands Country Club, the Lakers picked up wins by Evan Kellough, Brandon Silvia and Sully Tidd to edge Gray-New Gloucester 4-3.

Kellough shot a 61 to win by two strokes; Silvia recorded a 58 to win by 144; and Tidd fired a 56 for a 10 shot advantage.

Tyler Walker turned in a 47, only to fall by two strokes to Tyler Credit. Nick Scarlett finished with a 62, five strokes back.

Team play, the Lakers held a 222-225 advantage.

Against Poland, the Lakers fell to the Knights by a 5-2 count at the Highlands last Thursday.

Kellough and Tidd recorded wins, shooting a 56 and 52 respectively. Walker, the top seed, scored a 55, seven shots back of Patriot’s top player Nevin Rand.

Ansel Critchfield (75), Ryan Hodgdon (63) and Evan Sanborn (66) filled out the LR scorecard. Poland finished with a team score of 220 (low four scores out of six) to Lake Region’s 226.

The Knights are 4-0. Lake Region 1-1.

CROSS COUNTRY

Although the Laker boys placed third out of four teams, Coach Dan Dors liked the effort he saw last Thursday at Wells.

NICK SCARLETT placed 12th last Thursday in the opening cross-country meet held in Wells. (Rivet Photo)

“The boys ran a good race — showed me a lot due to their determination and heart,” Coach Dors said. “They showed me competitiveness. I am proud of them.”

Nick Scarlett posted the fastest LR time with a 21:31, good for 12th place. He was followed by Justin Black inn 21:39 for 13th;

Ben Roy at 22:41 for 18th; Kyle DeSouza at 23:22 for 20th; and Tucker Irish at 25:50 for 30th. Winning time was 19:15 by Tristan Brown of Wells.

Team standings: Waynflete 25, Wells 44, Lake Region 69, Traip Academy no score (teams need five finishers to score).

The Laker girls were unable to figure in the team scoring having only four runners competing.

“We’re trying to get a few more girls. Hopefully, we will,” Coach Dors said.

Sophomore Audrey Blais continued to run well taking sixth overall in 24:09, and is expected to move up in the rankings as she gains more experience. Winning time was 21:56 by Sophia Canning of Waynflete over the 3.1 mile course.

“She will be tough to beat,” Coach Dors said.

Sister, Addie Blais (freshman), also turned in a good effort, placing eighth in 24:54.

“She is only going to get better,” Coach Dors added. “She is very coachable.”

Freshmen Jen Springer and Isabel Brake also “did a very good job,” placing 29th (37:38) and 30th (37:44) respectively.

Team standings: Waynflete 18, Traip Academy 45, Lake Region no score, Wells no score.

Next: The Lakers host Cape Elizabeth, Greely and Yarmouth this Friday, Sept. 13 with the girls opening at 4:30 p.m. followed by the boys at 5 p.m.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

A young, but talented and energetic Lake Region girls’ soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision to York in the season opener Friday.

Missing a number of key players, the Lakers battled well, according to Coach Harvey Toews, but fell to a strong and disciplined Wildcat squad.  Keeper Isabel Scribner made15 stops and the defense blocked a number of shots as the Lakers packed in the defense trying to keep York outside.

Laker Katie Throgmorton stood out on the back line playing “a smart and physical game,” Coach Toews reported.

Next: The Lakers host Kennebunk Monday at 6:45 p.m. and Waynflete Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Recaps for other teams were unavailable at press time.