When breaking in a new goalie, teams rely on a few things:

1. Patience.

2. Vocal leadership from the defense.

3. Team support.

Waynflete, Brunswick, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth Academy and Scarborough, to name a few, are breaking in a rookie starter or backup this spring.

“For any coach, what you want is a good athlete in goal, whether or not they have the amazing mechanics down yet,” said Brunswick Coach Beth Caputi.

“There’s only a rare shooter who can pick you apart at this level.”

At Waynflete, freshman Katherine Torrey has been learning the ropes.

“She’s really patient,” said Coach Cathie Connors. “It’s a huge jump to go from eighth grade middle school to varsity. It really just takes time for them to get used to the pace.”

The Flyers had a one-year phenom last year when Sasha Timpson, a tennis player, agreed to play.

This year the defense is lending a hand.

“The older kids are definitely stepping up,” said Connors. “They’re talking more.”

At Scarborough, freshman Meg Kirsch has been splitting time with senior Marina Sterrer.

They usually split games evenly — one will start, the other will finish.

“They are working very well together,” said Coach Marcia Wood. “Marina has been a good mentor for Meg. She’s very helpful with her, giving her constructive criticism.”

At Brunswick, freshman Lydia Caputi and sophomore Molly Herman are splitting time. Caputi brings raw athleticism and presence, and Herman brings a sound technical game.

They combined to help the Dragons beat NYA last Saturday, 14-13.

“It was really great at halftime. Lydia gave Molly the lay of the land,” said Coach Caputi. “When you step into an already solid team like Scarborough, Waynflete or NYA, a coach can help to create a support system so the goalie never feels like it’s all on her shoulders.”

And at NYA, senior Ashley Salerno, who also plays hockey and field hockey, is playing her first year of varsity for Coach Julia Sterling.

 

IT WAS crossover time last weekend. The Scarborough girls reached 4-0 with a 13-9 win over Yarmouth in the rain Saturday morning.

It was the first time the Red Storm beat the Clippers. And Brunswick held on for a 14-13 win against NYA on the turf at Lewis Field.

 

THE WEEKLY boys’ lacrosse coaches’ poll is out by MaineEliteLacrosse.com: 1. Yarmouth, 2. Falmouth, 3. Portland, 4. Cape Elizabeth, 5. Brunswick, 6. Kennebunk, 7. South Portland, 8. Scarborough, 9. Messalonskee, 10. North Yarmouth Academy.

 

WAYNFLETE FRESHMAN Martha Veroneau scored four goals Monday night in an 11-7 win against Cape Elizabeth.

 

THE PORTLAND boys didn’t play Tuesday night at Biddeford. The game was postponed because of a lack of officials and was rescheduled for next Monday.

 

BEST BET for a game today: The Falmouth girls (5-1) will host Waynflete (4-1) at 4 p.m.

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:

jmenendez@pressherald.com