By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

LAUNCHING A BULLET — Lake Region’s offense was in high gear Saturday against Traip Academy. Here, senior Theresa Butler unloads a hard shot for one of the Lakers’ nine goals on the day. The Lakers spanked Traip 9-2, and then followed up that offensive explosion with a 7-3 win over Wells Tuesday. (Rivet Photo)

Hopefully, the last two games were a chance for the Lake Region offense to find a rhythm and players gain some confidence.

The big tests are just ahead.

Lake Region exploded for 16 goals to trounce Traip Academy and Wells.

Rachel Wandishin connected for four goals, including a penalty kick, in a 9-2 thrashing Saturday against Traip.

The Lakers were off and scoring early, building a 4-0 lead. Theresa Butler (two goals, two assists) opened the barrage with a well-placed ball to the right corner. Wandishin had the assist.

Eight minutes later, Sydney Hancock (three goals, three assists) maneuvered through the Traip defense and scored an unassisted goal.

Traip was whistled for an infraction inside the box when its goalie collided with a hard-charging Alexa Crawford. Wandishin drilled a shot to the goalie’s left on the PK for a 3-0 lead. Wandishin scored again four minutes later off a pass from Butler.

With the Lakers shuttling in some reserves, Traip stormed back with two quick goals. But, the Lakers restored order as Butler and Hancock each scored for a 6-2 halftime lead.

Wandishin added two second half goals, assisted both times by Hancock.

GOALIE UNDER PRESSURE — Lake Region’s Jordan Turner collides with Traip’s goalie Saturday. (Rivet Photo)

“I thought the kids put together all the small pieces of the game that we have been working on in practice,” LR varsity girls’ soccer coach Lynne Harrison said. “But, we also can’t expect games to be that easy. On a different day, I think Traip might have been a much tougher opponent.”

The Lakers received aggressive play up front from Jordan Turner, who nearly netted herself two goals, but just chipped the ball wide of the cage with the netminder out of position. Jacqui Black and Kiersten Eldridge were solid moving the ball through the midfield, while Kayla Gray and Kasey Huntress anchored the defensive end.

LR continued to hit all cylinders against Wells as Sydney Hancock had a four-goal day in a 7-3 home victory Monday. Rachel Wandishin tallied two goals while Jacqui Black also had a pair of scores.

At 4-3-1, the Lakers moved up in the Heal Ratings to sixth place, just three points behind Maranacook and Gray-NG, and just barely ahead of Yarmouth and Spruce Mountain.

With the top 11 qualifying for the playoffs, the Lakers will learn quickly just how good this squad may be. The schedule is rocky with a home game under the lights Monday against top-ranked York at 6:15 p.m. Then, the Lakers hit the road to Cumberland to face Greely next Thursday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. The schedule concludes with a home game against Fryeburg (Oct. 11, 6 p.m.), and away games against Traip (Oct. 13) and North Yarmouth Academy (Oct. 17).