Kennebunk came out on top in an early test against another of Maine’s top high school girls’ lacrosse programs on Thursday afternoon.
Jenny Bush scored three goals and controlled most of the midfield draws to lead the visiting Rams to an 8-4 win against Waynflete.
Kennebunk, which reached the Western Class B final last season, reeled off five unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead in the first half on the way to handing the Flyers their first loss of the season.
“This is huge win for us,” Bush said. “In past years, we’ve lost to them. We just wanted to prove ourselves and come out and get the win.”
Despite the loss, Waynflete Coach Cathie Connors was pleased with her team’s performance.
“We’re so young and just figuring each other out, so I am completely pleased with the way the girls played,” she said. “I feel thrilled that the girls didn’t give up and they didn’t get frustrated with each other.”
The Rams, who returned much of their offensive punch from a year ago, are expected to score goals this season, but it looks like the defense could be another strong point for the team.
“My defense is fairly new and we’re just building it at this point,” Kennebunk Coach Annie Barker said. “We’ve really been working on a lot of communication, making slides.”
The Rams (2-0) held the Flyers scoreless for nearly 20 minutes from early in the first half until early in the second.
When Waynflete did get a shot off, goalie Bella Kudas, a junior in her third season in the Kennebunk net, usually stopped it. Most of her six saves were on shots from point-blank range.
“She’s an anchor back there, and she does a lot of communicating,” Barker said.
Bush, a junior midfielder, won six of nine draws during the first half to help the Rams regain possession after a goal was scored.
“I’ve been doing (draws) ever since I’ve been on this team and I did them all the way during middle school,” she said. “I usually try to just get (the ball) to myself. If that’s not working, I try to get it to Olivia Sandford, who is on the circle. I was winning it to myself (today) and that is a good feeling.”
Sandford and Kyra Schwartzman, both juniors, scored two goals apiece. Carly Sandler, another junior, scored a goal and had an assist. Freshman Hallie Schwartzman had an assist.
Christian Rowe, a sophomore forward, led the Flyers (2-1) with two goals and an assist. Nina Moore, a junior, scored a goal and had an assist. Freshman Beata Vest scored a goal, and Izzy Burdick, another freshman, had an assist.
“We had trouble finishing, but it’s fixable,” Connors said. “I feel pleased with where we’re at the third game (into the season).”
Barker indicated the Rams are still very much a work in progress.
“We have a big roster this year and we’re trying to make everyone as versatile as we can be, so if we pull one (player) off, someone can take their place,” she said.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.