It was a long time to wait for the Freeport High School girls lacrosse team.

The last time the Falcons took the field for a countable game, Freeport fell to Waynflete in the State Class B title game. Then the April 11 opener at home against York was postponed to May 1 due to unplayable field conditions.

However, Tuesday’s opening 13-8 victory over North Yarmouth Academy was certainly worth the wait as Freeport began defense of its Eastern B title.

“We scrimmaged on Saturday, the first time we have done that, and it seemed to help and was a good wakeup call in a game against Massabesic,” said Freeport coach Karin Kurry, whose squad travels to Cape Elizabeth on Thursday (6 p.m.). “We were flat against Massabesic, mostly because we hadn’t been outside in quite a while, facing good competition. The scrimmage helped us with this game today.”

Freeport showed its quick transition game throughout the first half, led by Meredith Broderick, who had four goals and an assist as the Falcons jumped out to an 8-2 halftime lead.

“I thought we really came together as a defense, and on offense we spread out and got comfortable passing,” said Broderick. “We have been practicing our transition drills and looking for passes. That helped today. We are so motivated and confident, and we feel like we have something to prove against the really good teams.”

“Everybody was connecting well, and it seemed very smooth today,” said Kurry. “The only problem we seemed to have was the cold. But, when we were warm, our transition game was very good.”

NYA (0-1) had some golden opportunities in the opening frame, firing 13 shots. But, Freeport goaltender Molly Lane made seven first-half stops.

“Molly was awesome in goal,” praised Kurry. “She made the Maine team and will get to go to Pennsylvania in the summer. Her warmup was tough as she tried to get warm, but she played well today.”

Jocelyn Davee finished off a Broderick setup just 1:17 into the game for a 1-0 Falcons lead, and Broderick added a pair of goals in a 33- second span for a 3-0 edge.

The Panthers answered on a free-position goal by Isabella Morro, but goals by Emily Johnson, Broderick (assisted by Dayze Gaulin), Aubrey Pennell and Broderick (Gaulin) again gave the Falcons a 7-1 cushion.

NYA ended the Freeport run on an Olivia Madore tally, but Pennell scored off a freeposition chance for an 8-2 halftime lead.

Panthers push back

Davee scored out of the gate in the second half for a 9- 2 Freeport edge, but NYA wasn’t finished. The Panthers went on a 4-1 run, with all four goals coming from the crosse of Madore to close to 10-6.

Davee and Johnson began working the possession game, with Freeport winning the final six draw controls to wind the clock down.

“We can’t worry about fancy offensive plays if we don’t have the ball, and we spend a lot of time on possessing the ball,” said Kurry. “This team knows how to win. Last year, we let go of a lead in our opener and lost, and we weren’t going to do that again. They have winning experience, so we are focusing hard on the regular season and focusing on one game at a time.”

Pennell led Freeport with five goals, while Davee finished with two goals and an assist and Gaulin three helpers. In goal, Lane turned aside 12 shots as both teams attempted 26 shots, and Freeport defenders Megan Peacock, Lindsey Cartmell and Shelby Sawyer were solid. Davee had a team-high five groundballs, while Johnson picked up three interceptions.

Madore paced NYA with five goals, with Juju Tardif and Mary Noyes adding one goal each, and Brunswick native Jen Machin dishing out three assists.

Panthers players from Freeport are Noyes, Jen Brown, Tardif, Gianna Nappi and Abby McKelvy.

Freeport 13, NYA 8

At Yarmouth
Freeport — 8 5 — 14
NYA — 2 6 — 8
Goals — (F) Jocelyn Davee 2, Meredith
Broderick 4, Emily Johnson, Aubrey Pennell 5, Nina Moore; (NYA) Isabella Morro,
Olivia Madore 5, Juju Tardif, Mary Noyes.
Assists — (F) Julia Dearden, Lizzy Martin,
Courtney Broderick, Dayze Gaulin 3,
Meredith Broderick, Jocelyn Davee.
Shots — 26-26.
Saves — (F) Molly Lane 12; (NYA) Bailey
Clock 2, Scout Fischman 5.
Draw controls — Freeport, 14-7.
Records — Freeport 1-0, NYA 0-1.
Next for the Falcons — Thursday at NYA,
6 p.m.