BY DAVE MCLAUGHLIN

Correspondent

The Mt. Blue boys program continues to see progress that should help in the future. A middle school lacrosse program filled its roster within days of opening registration and carries 18 players. Many of those players will enter Mt. Blue next season.

“I think we are moving along and doing the right thing,” Mt. Blue coach John McDonough said. “We will be doing pick up lacrosse this summer and hopefully that will grow.”

The Cougars had problems at the beginning of the season when only 13 players were eligible to compete.

“The younger players are showing signs of improvement,” McDonough said. “We only have a couple of seniors, so we will have a majority of our players back next season.”

McDonough praised the play of Avery Giustra, Sam Taylor and Alex Dalrymple as examples of younger players who have continued to show progress throughout the season, even while the Cougars are mired in an 0-10 campaign.

“Avery and Sam have been playing outstanding games for us,” McDonough said. “Alex has been putting himself in good areas and spots that have created opportunities.”

* * *

The Cony boys lacrosse team heads into its final three games of the season one spot out of a tournament berth in Eastern Maine Class A.

The Rams posted a 4-32 record from 2009-2011, but are 3-5 this season.

“Our passing and shot selection has been improving tremendously,” Cony coach Chad Foye said. “We are playing teams tough and staying with them longer.”

Confidence has been key for the Rams this season. Cony’s skill level has improved at both ends of the field, but Foye is still looking for players to gain a better understanding of lacrosse strategy.

“Our confidence level is high,” Foye said. “The one thing we need to do is try to learn the game.”

A majority of the players making contributions this season will be returning. Seniors Derek Elvin and Matt Swan have helped the younger players continue to get better and build a solid foundation for next season.

“Derek and Matt have been doing a great job for us,” Foye said. “It will be tough losing our seniors because they know what it means to improve.”

Sophomore midfielders Kevin Kingsbury, John Bennett and Sean Zubrod have given the Rams a quality transition game with help from junior defenders Kyle Elvin and Brandon St. Michel.

* * *

The Gardiner girls lacrosse team has played one of the toughest schedules in either Class A or B this season. The Tigers, an Eastern B team, have just three Class B games on their schedule, and nine against Eastern A teams. That includes two games against both Brunswick and Cony, the No. 1 and 2 seeds in Eastern A, respectively.

“It’s tough because this team has worked itself into a position of being a very strong Class B team,” Gardiner coach Andy Haskell said. “We have played some teams pretty tough.”

In Class B this season, only No. 1 Yarmouth ahs a winning record. The Tigers one win is over Morse, which put Gardiner in contention for a playoff berth.

“In the short term this is difficult because we are definitely a playoff team,” Haskell said. “I give the kids total credit, they have stepped up their willingness to improve and are doing a fantastic job.”

The Tigers have games remaining on their schedule at Brunswick (Tuesday), at home against Cony (Friday) and at home vs. Morse (Tuesday).

“We have had great preparation for tournament play, if we can make it,” Haskell said. “We just continue to get better.”

Ally Day and Brooke Davis have been impressive on offense with Julie Krouse improving her game as a playmaker, this season. Maria Turner has played a major role in helping the Tigers defense become a tough combination for opponents to deal with.

“They have been excellent leaders and are distributing the ball,” Haskell said. “Maria has shown the biggest improvement with her leadership role on defense.”