Aine Powers of Yarmouth (holding plaque) is the Varsity Maine Girls’ Lacrosse Player of the Year. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

As a sophomore with the Yarmouth girls’ lacrosse team two years ago, Aine Powers studied senior leader Katelyn D’Appolonia.

D’Appolonia’s leadership style stuck with Powers. Lead by example, and your teammates will follow. That’s what Powers tried to emulate this spring.

“It’s easy to lead with this team, because we’ve got such great people,” Powers said.

Throughout the season, Powers set the standard for Yarmouth. A strong two-way player, she scored 52 goals and added 22 assists. She won 75 draw controls and caused 39 turnovers to get the ball back in the Clippers’ possession. The season culminated with a come-from-behind 12-8 win over Falmouth in the Class A championship game.

The victory gave Yarmouth its first Class A title in its third straight championship game appearance since moving up from Class B before the 2022 season. For her efforts in leading the Clippers to the championship and for her strong play all season, Aine Powers is the Varsity Maine Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.

“She’s really grown into an incredible player and leader,” Yarmouth Coach Dorothy Holt said of Powers. “Her work ethic is undeniable. She’s so coachable.”

A mark of Powers’ career is her consistency. She matched her 52-goal total from her junior season, and her 22 assists were just off the 28 she had a year ago. Powers finished her high school career with 181 goals and 84 assists.

Holt said Powers was constantly working to improve her shot accuracy and passing skills.

“Every season, she was saying, ‘What can I improve on?'” Holt said. “She was coaching other players and really guiding them along.”

Yarmouth’s Aine Powers, right, finished her senior season with 52 goals and 22 assists. She also won 75 draw controls and caused 39 turnovers. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Powers said her biggest improvements came in developing physical strength and her lacrosse IQ. By the time she was a senior, Powers read the field and was able to see shots or passes before they unfolded. That helped key a third-quarter rally in the state final. Down 7-4 at the half, the Clippers outscored Falmouth 6-0 in the third quarter to take the lead for good.

Before that, her positive leadership style set the tone for the second half.

“We were down three in the semifinals (against Kennebunk), too,” At halftime of the state game, we were encouraging each other. I think believing in each other really helped… Down three (goals) in the state game, that can be a small deficit or a big deficit depending on the situation and your attitude. Either way, we said this is the last half of our season, so play hard.”

Powers scored 10 goals and assisted on four in Yarmouth’s four playoff wins, including two goals and an assist in the state final.

“She was always the first to speak up. At halftime (of the state game), she kept saying ‘We can do this guys. Let’s go,'” Holt said. “I think when you have it from your seniors, it means a lot. That’s what we needed. We started the second half strong, and they did it.”

Powers and some of her teammates were also members of the soccer team that won back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023. Winning is expected at Yarmouth, Powers said, but she embraces the expectations.

“Pressure is a privilege. It’s an honor to have that and keep winning,” Powers said.

See Varsity Maine’s picks for the girls’ lacrosse 2024 All-State team

Powers plans to play lacrosse next year at American University in Washington, D.C.

“I like D.C. and that area. I like the coaches. When I visited, it felt like a good situation for me. It has the balance of academics and Division I lacrosse,” Powers said. “Going into college, that’s a higher level. I need to improve all aspects of my game.”