2015 Journal Tribune Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Kennebunk’s Jenny Bush

Every time the Kennebunk girls lacrosse team stepped onto the field the Rams’ opponent knew it would need to stop Jenny Bush to have a chance to win.

While knowing is half the battle, it didn’t make the job any easier.

The junior attacker had a target on her back at all times, but still was able to use the opposing team’s goal as target practice, sometimes seemingly scoring at will.

But for as much as she is a singular talent, Bush was also a piece of a bigger pie that was a successful Rams team. She showed a more versatile game in her junior season, adding more assists while also being a terror on draws.

This season, Bush was a player that gave opposing teams fits and opposing coaches nightmares, and for that she deserves to be the Journal Tribune Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

Bush individually and the Rams as a team had great seasons a year ago, but Kennebunk lost in the Western Maine final ”“ a ringing defeat that laid the groundwork for this season.

Kennebunk head coach Annie Barker said the whole team played for the MAINEiax lacrosse club this offseason to keep their games sharp. In addition, the players also worked on agility training and worked out at the Middle School of the Kennebunks weight room to increase their strength.

“They all came into the season ready to go,” said Barker.

That newfound strength, along with some increased confidence, allowed Bush to better use her tall frame to her advantage.

“I think Jenny going straight to the goal instead of settling was the area she most improved,” said Barker. “A lot of players go east to west, and Jenny this year found that if she went straight in it would be a fast break and we could push the ball as a team.”

As the Rams’ draw specialist, Bush often found herself starting the attack. On a few occasions, she went from start to finish.

“(Jenny) knew this year that she could pretty much go straight to goal when we pushed the ball off the draw,” said Barker.

Bush wasn’t the lone sniper for Kennebunk, and Barker said it was her and the team’s goal from day one of preseason to make sure they stressed a family atmosphere. That meant a multi-faceted attack on offense.

“This year our focus was to trust all of our teammates and that made us such a well-rounded team together,” said Barker. “Jenny knew that anyone could go to the goal.”

Bush had many memorable games during the season, including in the biggest games. She scored a pair of overtime goals (and four total) during a comeback win over Massabesic ”“ arguably the Rams’ biggest win during the regular season. She scored four goals in the Rams’ playoff opener over Greely and three goals each in the Western Maine final win over Falmouth and state championship loss to Yarmouth.

Bush finished the season with a team-leading 55 goals, along with 17 assists.

Bush’s standout season was recognized on a national level, as she was named a First-Team All-American by US Lacrosse ”“ the only player from Maine to earn that recognition.

While Bush had a memorable season as a junior, she still has another year to wreak havoc as a senior next season. Barker said the experience of playing in the state title game will only make Bush and the rest of the Rams hungrier for next year.

— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.