CUMBERLAND — Wet field conditions forced the Greely girls’ lacrosse team to host its Class B quarterfinal game last Thursday at Freeport’s artificial turf field. Against Messalonskee in the semis Tuesday, the Rangers were determined to play the game on their field, no matter how wet or muddy the natural surface became.
“I think we were determined to have this game on this field, today specifically. I just think it meant a lot to us seniors to have one last time on this field, no matter how it went, win or loss,” Greely senior midfielder Charlotte Taylor said. “We almost were excited to have the field this gross, because it’s our field and nobody can play it like us.”
Taylor celebrated her 18th birthday with a six-goal effort, leading the top-seeded Rangers to a 16-6 win in a game played in a steady mist. Greely (14-2) will play for its second straight Class B state championship Friday night at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium against No. 2 Brunswick (14-2). No. 5 Messalonskee ends the season at 9-7.
“I think we were just ready to play. We had one game in two weeks, so they were ready to go. They knew what to do off the draw and were getting possession, so it set us up well for the attack,” Greely Coach Becca Koelker said. “We told our girls, no matter where we play we’ll play our game.”
The Rangers took the lead for good 33 seconds into the game on Allie Read’s goal, and led 5-0 with 18:17 left in the first half when Taylor scored her first goal.
“We know Greely’s a strong team. It wasn’t anything we weren’t expecting,” Messalonskee Coach Crystal Leavitt said.
The Eagles picked up quick goals from Madi Doody and Chloe Masse to cut Greely’s lead to 6-2 with 14:59 left in the half, but Messalonskee never got closer than four goals. Abigail Stevens’ goal with 22:55 left in the game cut the Eagles deficit to 9-5. Leavitt felt once her team overcame early game jitters, it battled and competed throughout the game.
“We figured out how to break their defense a little. We began to find our groove and get comfortable in that and take care of the ball. They found some unity on attack,” Leavitt said.
Each time the Eagles mounted a rally, the Rangers fought back. Elise Provencher’s goal with 2.4 seconds left in the first half gave the Rangers a 9-4 lead. Ahead 12-6 with just under five minutes to play, Greely scored four goals in the final 3 1/2 minutes to pull away.
Asja Kelman added three goals for Greely. Messalonskee goalie Shea Cassani had a strong game, making 12 saves, eight in the second half.
Doody scored three goals for Messalonskee.
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