When Zach Poulin transferred to Deering High School last fall from a school in Connecticut, the stars aligned for Carleton Allen and the Rams.

The two lacrosse players, who both missed their junior year to major leg injuries, became fast friends and are now lighting it up for Deering (5-0).

“Bonding outside of the field has really helped our game,” said Poulin. “It’s like we’re brothers. We just know where the other is going to be.”

Allen missed most of last season when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game against South Portland. Poulin missed his in Cheshire, Conn., with a broken fibula.

Both entered their senior years with a renewed passion for the game.

They played on indoor teams together in the winter, threw the ball around in Allen’s backyard, took a bucket of balls to the turf at school on weekends while snow was still on the ground.

“He knew what it was like to have lacrosse taken away,” said Allen, also a 55-meter dash indoor track state champ. “And it’s nice to have someone who can pass and catch and throw so well, knows where to be, where you’re going to be. It’s really nice.”

They have scored 24 goals – Allen 13, Poulin, 11.

“They work really well together. They know what the other one is going to do,” said Coach Bob Rothbart. “But really what they’ve done for us is open up everyone else.”

Poulin said he’s most impressed by Allen’s speed: “He has great vision and his speed creates a lot of separation for everybody. I really appreciate his speed and vision on the field.”

Allen, meanwhile, is mesmerized by his teammate’s shot.

“He can always get off a shot,” said Allen. “That’s one thing that’s really amazed me. In tight situations, he’s double teamed, or has people draped all over him and he manages to get off a shot.”

Rothbart said teams can usually figure out how to shut down one player, but two is more difficult.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who can finish and are putting up some big numbers because of these guys,” said Rothbart. “If we stay healthy, we can play with anyone in the state.”

Poulin was living with his mom in Cheshire before she moved to a town without lacrosse. His father, who lives in Portland, told him there was a pair of programs in Portland with good lacrosse teams. He chose Deering.

“I wanted to challenge myself and help another team,” said Poulin.

 

THE FALMOUTH girls’ lacrosse team beat NYA for the first time in program history on Thursday night, a feat, said Coach Robin Haley, that has left her team with renewed confidence.

“NYA is one of those teams,” said Haley. “I thought we were really close last year but weren’t able to capitalize. We would question our confidence and nerves would set in. The girls played with a lot of poise (Thursday night).

“They played with composure. And they played with confidence the entire 50 minutes.”

Falmouth was down 5-2, then went on a 10-2 run before hanging on for a 13-10 win.

 

KENNEBUNK (4-0) and Gorham (5-0) were the last remaining undefeated girls’ teams coming out of the weekend.

The Rams have used their entire roster of 17 players for all but one game this year.

“We’ve got a bench this year and they’re all playing as a unit. It’s why it’s working for us,” said Coach Annie Barker. “There’s one game two kids didn’t play, otherwise they are all contributing.”

 

BEST BETS for games this week: Cape Elizabeth (3-1) at Falmouth (4-1) girls, 6 p.m. Wednesday; Brunswick (2-3) at Falmouth (4-0) boys, noon Saturday.

 

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at: jmenendez@pressherald.com