SCARBOROUGH – Mix in two of the state’s best boys’ lacrosse teams and a torrential downpour and what do you get?

A classic.

Three-time defending Class A state champion Scarborough overcame the elements and a late-game rally to hand Kennebunk it first loss of the season Wednesday night at the Mitchell Sports Complex.

The Red Storm eked out a 5-4 win in a battle between the top two boys’ lacrosse teams in Western Class A.

“We don’t get to play in weather like this a lot,” Scarborough Coach Joe Hezlep said. “It’s not what you think of when you think about ideal lacrosse weather, but it sure made for an entertaining night.”

Each team was averaging more than 12 goals per game, but the solid play of goalies Ben Bath of Kennebunk and David Pearson of Scarborough negated much of that offensive firepower.

“We thought we had some chances that we didn’t finish on, and I’m sure they thought they had some chances they felt they were going to finish,” Hezlep said. “You know, both goalies made plays, and it was a really well-played game as far as the goalies go.”

Each goalie ended up with 11 saves. Bath made six saves in the second quarter to help hold the Storm to a 3-1 lead during the first half.

Pearson made six saves in the fourth quarter when the Rams rallied for the game’s final two goals.

The Rams (8-1) won 8 of 10 draws but committed 26 turnovers and had a difficult time getting the ball close to the Scarborough goal, especially in the first three quarters.

“We had some ups and downs, mostly downs,” Kennebunk Coach Dan Seavey said. “We weren’t contesting the cage. We weren’t taking quality shots.”

John Wheeler, a senior attackman who earned All-American status last season, sent Scarborough into the lead for good when he put in a rebound for his second goal of the game 5:29 into the second quarter.

With 15.6 seconds left in the first half, Austin Doody turned a feed from Dalton Finley into a goal as the Red Storm played with a man advantage to make it 3-1.

Jurien Garrison and Christian Neelon scored in the first four minutes of the second half as Scarborough (8-1) took a 5-2 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Rams rallied to close the gap.

With less than eight minutes left, Bryce Fraser converted Tyler Elkington’s pass from behind the net to make it 5-3.

Elkington scored his third goal of the game to pull the Rams to within one with under three minutes remaining.

“We just got off to a nice good start, and our defense held it in these tough conditions,” Wheeler said. “It was a good W.”

In the end, the play of the goalies made the difference.

“It was great to see when it really counts the goalies step up and make some great plays,” Hezlep said.

Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH