Preview: Lake Region field hockey

 

ANCHORING THE MIDFIELD — Senior Kayleigh Lepage (right) scored goals in wins over Yarmouth and Gray-New Gloucester. (Rivet Photo)

VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY

Head Coach: Dagny Leland, 12th year

JV Coach: Lisa Shane

Assistant Coach: Deb Albert

Varsity roster:  Forward line includes Juniors Meghan Skarbinski, Lucy Fowler, Elizabeth Schreiber along with senior Tori Girardin and sophomore Abby Scott-Mitchell; midfielders Miranda Chadbourne, MacKenzie Mondville, Kayleigh Lepage, Kate Cutting, Ellie Cusack and freshman Molly Christiansen; backfield, Courtney Yates, Casey Heath, Paige Kennison, Kayla Reinhard, Dana Fitzgerald and Kristina Morton; Sophomore goalie Meghan Van Loan is learning to take charge in the cage with the help of Zoe Barrett. “Both are young, but are putting all their effort into their position,” Coach Leland said.

Keys to success: To be successful this season, Coach Leland believes the Lakers must use the abilities and knowledge they have learned and play with pride.

Key players to watch: Senior Kate Cutting, who is one of the most committed and strongest players on the roster; senior Kayleigh Lepage, who has a strong stick and ability to play center-mid, and is very committed, as well; senior Kristina Morton, who has a great stick, plays very hard and loves the left side of the field; junior Miranda Chadbourne, who has the speed and stick skills to really help the offense as well as defense. “All players including the goalie are going to be the key to our success,” Coach Leland said.

Major hurdles the team must clear? “Not knowing that they have so much talent that they haven’t even touched upon yet,” Coach Leland said. “Probably getting quicker in the circle defensively. Learning to think outside the box when utilizing players. Keeping the ball and players moving together as one to perform up to their potential.” She added being ready all the time and playing strong to the end of the game.

Opening day: The Lakers had a good opening day, winning on the road at Yarmouth.

“As it so happened that the first half was very sketchy for us but having learned and talked about what was going wrong and what to do to fix it, we went out for the second half as a different team,” Coach Leland said. “I like how we have the confidence to play with the skills we have. I like how we support each other on the field and off. I am pleased with the way the girls have started taking ownership of the game.”

Lucy Fowler and Kayleigh Lepage each scored twice, and the Lakers scored three unanswered goals in the second half in a 4-1 victory. Fowler broke a 1-1 tie 6:13 into the second half and got her second with 8:16 left. Lepage converted a penalty stroke with 5:35 remaining in the first half and also scored with about five minutes left in the game. LR goalie Meghan Van Loan stopped seven shots for the win.

Up next: The Lakers travel to Falmouth today, Sept. 6 and head to Poland on Saturday for an 11 a.m. contest. The Lakers then travel to Fryeburg Academy on Monday, Sept. 10 and Sacopee Valley on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Both games begin at 4 p.m.