GORHAM — The new Mt. Ararat High Schol girls varsity ice hockey team fell to Gorham/Bonney Eagle 9-2 Saturday afternoon in the Eagles’ debut.

“The day began with a 5 a.m. email from our goalie’s mom stating that she had been in the ER all night with an appendix issue and wouldn’t be able to play in the game,” said head coach Ron Hutchins. “We have only the one goalie, no back-up. We were already missing defender and senior captain Taylor Pare due to a knee injury. The only girl on the team who had any recent net tending experience was our other senior captain Anne McIntire. She filled in once last year and earlier this season in a scrimmage.

“So, with a few adjustments to the lineup and McIntire in the net, the Eagles took to the ice. McIntire saw 30 shots, while Eagles had 21 shots on GBE goalie Maddy Hamblen. Anne did a fine job in the net, but we didn’t protect her. We let the shooters get too close. .. we just didn’t keep them to the outside. She had some really amazing saves.”

Mt. Ararat goals were scored by Kayla Pinkham (assisted by Devon Hutchins) at 10:29 in the first period, and then from Hutchins (unassisted) at 1:25 in the second period.

“The Olympic-sized rink may have had a role to play with the girls timing and not being quick enough to the net,” added Hutchins. “No matter, our speed and awareness needs to improve.

“Although we have 20 players on the roster, only seven have more than three years experience. With the absence of Pare (injured) and McIntire (in net), we just couldn’t shut down Rams’ best players Rachel Litis (four goals) and Shayla Wing (three goals).

“Looking for the positives from the game … erase the first period in which the Rams scored five goals and it was a 4-2 game. We had several scoring opportunities, too. Through hard work, we can improve.”

Mt. Ararat is scheduled to host Portland/Deering Tuesday night (6:30 p.m.).

YORK 4

BRUNSWCK 3

York spotted host Brunswick an early 2-0 lead and scored four unanswered goals en route to a win Saturday night at Sidney J. Watson Arena.

The Dragons fell to 0-3 and are scheduled to visit Winslow on Wednesday, while York improved to 2-0.

The Dragons went up 2-0 in the first period when Rachel Moroney scored an unassisted tally at 6:53 and scored again at 8:25 with Eliza Brooks and Tessa Cassidy assisting.

York’s Erin McKenna converted a Tori Stocks feed at 13:03 for a 2-1 game after one period.

In the middle period, Rachel Yorke scored six minutes into and tied the game at 2-2.

Yorke scored again at 7:57 of the final period and Kara Kelly (Olivia Leroux) lit the lamp for a 4-2 game.

Brunswick pulled its goaltender late and Brooks scored off a Moroney feed at 14:13.

“It was nice two get those first two goals,” said Brunswick coach Bill Bodwell. “They’re a pretty good team … they roll three lines. I thought we played well,” added Bodwell, while praising the play of defenders Jillian Ford, Grace Rabinowitz and Mary Sasso in front of goaltender Erin Gay.

BRUNSWICK 0

GREELY 6

On Wednesday the Falmouth Family Ice Center, the host Greely Rangers (2-0) scored two goals in each period for a 6-0 victory over the Dragons.

Chelsey Andrews, Delaney Curtin, Mary Morrison, Danita Storey, Paige Tuller and Meg Finlay each scored a goal for the hosts.

Brunswick goaltender Claire Mendes had 31 saves.