The York High boys’ team is trying very hard to get on Maine’s high school lacrosse map.

The Wildcats, ranked fourth in the highly competitive Western Class B Heal point standings, are off to a 4-0 start.

“We’re trying to turn things around and start a tradition here,” said Nate Davis, York’s first-year coach.

Davis knows something about the lacrosse tradition at York. A 2004 graduate, he was the Wildcats’ starting goalie for four years, including their first three seasons of varsity competition.

This season, Davis, who served as an assistant coach of the men’s lacrosse team at Norwich University in Vermont while working on a degree in architecture, likes what he sees.

“We’ve got a group of talented seniors and a group of talented sophomores who are really pushing the team,” Davis said.

Three solid seniors – Kyle Robertson, Shane Hughes and Conor O’Brien – provide the Wildcats with a solid nucleus right down the middle of the formation.

Following graduation next month, lacrosse will figure prominently in each of their futures.

Robertson, a middie who handles faceoffs in man-up and man-down situations, will spend a postgrad year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where he will play soccer and lacrosse.

The team’s leading scorer at attack, Hughes will go to Bridgton Academy, where he will play hockey and lacrosse.

O’Brien, an All-State defenseman in hockey, is a long-stick middie who intends to play next spring for Wittenburg, a top Division III lacrosse program in Ohio.

 

CATHERINE VERONEAU is unable to play lacrosse but remains an integral part of the Waynflete girls’ team.

For the second consecutive lacrosse season, Veroneau is unable to play after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while playing basketball.

“Except for when she has (physical therapy), she comes to every single one of our practices and every one of our games,” Coach Cathy Connors said. “She just wants to be part of the team, and the players want her to be part of the team, too.”

Veroneau’s name is listed on the roster the Flyers issue for each game.

Instead of a putting a position next to her name, she is designated as injured.

“She does everything she can to help us,” Connors said. “She warms up our goalies and during games she stands next to me with the (substitutes) cheering on the team.”

“She’s great to come in and help us out,” said Martha Veroneau, Catherine’s twin sister. “It’s tough for her just to watch.”

In addition to lacrosse, the Veroneau twins also play basketball and run cross country.

“I miss not having her on the field or on the court with me,” Martha Veroneau said. “Obviously it’s difficult for her, but it’s hard for the team, too. She’s a tremendous athlete.”

Catherine is expected to be ready to return by August in time to run cross country for the Flyers.

 

THE SCARBOROUGH girls’ team will face two of its toughest tests of the season during a 48-hour stretch this week.

On Thursday night, the Red Storm, who are 5-0 and are the defending Class A state champions, will play Cheverus, which is 4-2 and ranked fourth in Eastern Class A.

On Saturday, Scarborough will host Cape Elizabeth, which is 6-0 after Tuesday night’s win against Greely and ranked second in Western Class B.

 

BOYS’ GAME OF THE WEEK: On Friday night, Cheverus, which is 5-1 going into today’s game against Westbrook, will visit Cape Elizabeth, which is 6-0 after Tuesday night’s win against Greely.

 

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH

 

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