CAPE ELIZABETH — Another anticipated boys’ lacrosse matchup between longtime rivals Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth lived up to its midseason billing.
“It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s not going to get any better than this,” Falmouth Coach Mike Lebel said. “This is the game to see.”
The defending champion Capers (6-0) claimed Wednesday’s battle of Class B unbeatens, 11-9, but not before Falmouth (5-1) made things mighty uncomfortable with a four-goal surge in the fourth quarter.
The teams meet again in the regular-season finale at Falmouth. A rematch of last year’s regional final is a highly probable third meeting.
In 2015, each team won once in the regular season and Cape Elizabeth took the regional final, 12-4.
Wednesday night Cape appeared on its way to another convincing win behind the goal-scoring of Riley Pillsbury (four goals) and RJ Sarka (three goals) and strong defensive play led by Ben Ekedahl’s effort against Falmouth playmaker Jack Scribner.
But Falmouth’s defense stiffened in the fourth quarter, causing numerous turnovers. Eventually those extra possessions resulted in goals. Devin Russell (two goals, one assist) scored once and set up Lou Mainella (two goals, two assists) for another to cut the lead to 10-7. Then Nick Farnham scored a pair, one into the top right corner, the second skidding in at toe level.
Cape needed a man-up goal by Connor Thoreck, who played sparingly because of a high ankle sprain, with 2:58 to play and a pair of top-notch saves by senior keeper Alex Narvaez (10 saves) to secure the win.
“I was expecting a huge challenge,” Narvaez said. “I’ve been thinking about this game all year. I try to think day to day and week to week but this one just stuck in my head.”
Narvaez reacted quickly and sunk low to kick out a transition bid by Scribner with two minutes left. With 50 seconds remaining, Narvaez coolly netted a shot by Farnham, who was trying to go back to the top right corner.
“Alex Narvaez made some saves I haven’t seen another goalie in Maine make this season. He was a big difference tonight,” Lebel said. “He made at least three fantastic saves.”
Cape Coach Ben Raymond tried to downplay the rivalry – a tiny bit.
“I’m sure if you ask the kids they’re more excited to play this game than any other game,” Raymond said. “But the focus for us is to make sure we’re learning things. (Like) how to be up five goals and finish a game. We weren’t very good at it today.”
Cape Elizabeth led 4-1 after one quarter.
Falmouth tied the game 4-4 with 1:48 left in the second quarter on a wicked side-armed shot by Henry Norris (three goals) that rose into the top corner.
Falmouth was assessed a conduct penalty after the goal.
Pillsbury scored a man-up goal for Cape. Nine seconds later Pillsbury scored again, finishing off a multi-pass sequence started by a clean faceoff win by Finn Raymond.
“I knew just from the crowd noise that it was kind of a momentum shift but I also knew we were only up by two,” Pillsbury said. “Against a team like Falmouth a two-goal lead is nothing.”
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