Abby Capobianco had just taken over as head coach of Assumption College’s moribund women’s lacrosse program and Camille Auger of Kennebunk was targeted as her first key recruit.

When Auger came to the Worcester, Mass., campus for her official visit, her host was former Scarborough star Lindsay Hagerman. The two didn’t know each other but their teams had gone head-to-head in heated Western Class A playoff games.

“I wondered if it would be a good idea considering the high school rivalry but I went ahead with it. After the visit Lindsay said we have to get this girl, we love her,” Capobianco said.

Fast forward two years and Hagerman, a junior, and Auger, a sophomore, have helped key a team turnaround. Assumption is 8-4 entering Wednesday’s game against Northeast-10 foe Le Moyne.

Auger is second on the team with 27 goals and leads with 11 assists. Hagerman (20 goals, 3 assists) is the fourth Greyhound with 20 or more goals. Sophomore Amy McNeil of Orange, Conn., leads with 58 goals.

Assumption has won three games by one goal (twice in overtime) and earlier this season beat a nationally ranked team for the first time in program history when it beat Merrimack in the season opener.

Not bad for a team searching for its first winning season since 2002.

In last week’s 23-10 thumping of Franklin Pierce, Auger had four goals and three assists, and Hagerman scored three times.

“I didn’t come to Assumption thinking that we would ever be much of a program,” said Hagerman, who made her decision before Capobianco’s hiring. “But I feel really good about being part of the team that is changing the program. We used to be kind of the laughingstock of the athletic department. Now we’re taken seriously and respected.”

Auger pointed to Hagerman’s leadership and selfless play as pivotal to the progress.

“This year in particular Lindsay has stepped up as a leader,” Auger said. “Whether she knows it or not, everyone feels that way about her.”

Hagerman has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and said she has always struggled to keep up with her studies. As a freshman she was academically ineligible.

“Not playing freshman year was a huge disappointment for me. I knew I wanted to play in college. Lacrosse was my passion,” Hagerman said. “I just stayed connected with the team and my coach, and I just knew exactly what I wanted to do to get back on the right track.”

In her sophomore year she was hit with an even tougher blow. Her brother, Tim Hagerman, was diagnosed with cancer. He died shortly after Christmas at the age of 26.

Despite the setbacks, Hagerman played as a sophomore.

“I had to grow up faster, because not playing lacrosse made me mature and then (the death) made me grow up faster than the other kids,” Hagerman said.

“She’s an inspiration to all of us,” Capobianco said.

Capobianco said Auger has  helped set a higher standard for the program.

“Camille comes in first in every fitness test and has the best stickwork on the team,” Capobianco said. “There’s no doubt in my mind she could be playing Division I lacrosse.”

The once impersonal rivals have become fast friends.

“We’re not roommates but I’m in Lindsay’s room hanging out all the time,” Auger said.

They do occasionally recollect their high school battles, Auger said.

Kennebunk had the edge when Auger was a freshman and sophomore. When Hagerman was a senior, Scarborough beat Kennebunk in the Western A playoffs en route to the state title. Auger’s senior season ended with a loss to Scarborough.

“She does like to rub it in occasionally,” Auger said.

As it turns out, Capobianco was right to have some reservations about pairing Auger with Hagerman on that initial visit.

“Lindsay made me sleep with her Scarborough state championship blanket,” Auger said with a laugh. “I don’t think Coach knows about that.”

BASEBALL

Keene State freshman Cody Dube of Windham, an All-Telegram pick as a senior, is batting .301 with 10 RBI in 20 games for the Owls (9-14). He’s also been used four times as a long reliever and is 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings.

Louie DiStasio of Westbrook (Cheverus), another 2012 All-Telegram pick, has made six appearances in relief for the University of Rhode Island (14-16). In 10 innings the freshman has struck out 14.

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Wheaton College senior Sam Fear of Bath (North Yarmouth Academy) was named last week’s New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Field Athlete of the Week. Fear earned the award based on his fifth-place finish in the high jump at the Roadrunner Invitational, clearing a season-high 6 feet, 0.75 inches.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Saint Michael’s College sophomore Kate Boyer of Standish (Bonny Eagle) recorded her fifth hat trick in 10 games this season in Saturday’s 11-8 victory against American International.

Wheaton College improved its NEWMAC record to 3-0 (5-4 overall) with a 13-5 win against Smith as junior Leila Mills of Brunswick scored two goals, giving her 18 on the season. First-year Allie Bush of Kennebunk scored once, her sixth of the season. Also contributing  are junior midfielder Hayley Bright of Cumberland (North Yarmouth Academy), who has made eight starts with two goals and an assist, and sophomore middie Kelsie Jenquine of Brunswick (6 games, 1 start).

GOLF

Bentley freshman Malcolm Oliver of Damariscotta (Lincoln Academy) shot a two-day total of 75-75-149 to finish sixth individually, second on the team, and help the Falcons win the 13-team Peter King Memorial at Long Island National Golf Club. Bentley entered the tourney ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II East Region, beating No. 7 UMass-Lowell, No. 5 Concordia and No. 6 Dowling.

MEN’S LACROSSE

Wentworth Institute of Technology junior midfielder Chris Kipp of Scarborough is fourth on the team in scoring (19 goals, 3 assists) and had a team-high three goals in an 11-6 win against Gordon coming off the bench.

Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or at scraig@mainetoday.com

Twitter: SteveCCraig