PORTLAND – The end couldn’t come quick enough for the Waynflete girls’ lacrosse team Thursday.

The Flyers held off a late rally by previously undefeated Yarmouth to win 11-10 at home and collect their most notable early-season victory.

Yarmouth, which once led by three goals, threatened on its final possession with a long string of passes up the field.

But just as Claudia Lockwood launched a shot from about 20 yards, the buzzer sounded and the Flyers flooded the field.

“The girls had to reach deep within themselves,” said Coach Cathie Connors. “We’re figuring each other out here still, but they play other sports and know how to be serious and focused.”

Down 11-7, Yarmouth (3-1) scored three goals in the final six minutes — a wraparound by Natalie Salmon with 6:04 remaining, a Danielle Torres blast at 5:26, and a score on a free possession by Devin Simsarian with 18 seconds to play.

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“We needed like 10 more seconds to put this into overtime,” said Yarmouth Coach Dorothy Holt. “We made some key mistakes but also capitalized. This will just give us something to learn from. They’re a good team.”

A steady light rain fell for much of the game.

Yarmouth took the first lead on a goal by Torres after 11 seconds.

Sadie Cole then scored her first of five for the Flyers, but Yarmouth was up 4-1 in a matter of minutes.

Torres scored again and Mariah Lanfer finished a Torres feed before Becca Bell struck at 13:02.

Scout Haffenreffer of Waynflete had just left the field and was icing her head following a direct hit from a ball that had been shot.

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“When she got hurt, it motivated and inspired us to come together,” said Cole. “We know each other so well now, and today proved we can come together and win.”

From there Waynflete (3-1) went on a five-goal tear to go up 6-4, then led 7-5 by halftime.

“I saw them pick it up,” said Haffenreffer, who later rejoined the team. “We’re getting more used to each other as a team; we trust each other out there.”

The teams traded goals twice to open the second half: Waynflete, Yarmouth, Waynflete, Yarmouth, and it was 9-7 Flyers with 15:08 to go.

Martha Veroneau scored her second of the day and Mica Thompson finished a give-and-go in front for her third to build the Flyers’ lead to 11-7 with 7:41 to play.

From there, Yarmouth buckled down and rallied for three straight goals, but came up one shy as time expired.

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“Yarmouth is so fast and strong that we knew we’d have to get them in midfield. We played solid defense,” said Connors.

Sophomore goalie Katherine Torrey came up with eight saves for the Flyers.

Cole had a team-high five goals for the Flyers, Thompson scored three, Veroneau had two and Lucy Crane added one.

Yarmouth got three goals from Torres and Simsarian.

The Clippers have knocked off North Yarmouth Academy, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth on the road, but haven’t yet played at home.

They are ready, said Holt. The Clippers will be home Saturday against Falmouth.

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Waynflete will be home Saturday against North Yarmouth Academy.

 

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

jmenendez@pressherald.com

 


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