OAKLAND — In most years, Messalonskee boys lacrosse coach Tom Sheridan says the Eagles’ offense is set from the beginning and it rarely fluctuates from game to game.
“Usually we find what we want to do and stick with it for most of the season,” Sheridan said. “This year, it’s a work in progress.”
The Eagles got their offense going a bit Friday afternoon, when they doubled up Edward Little 12-6 in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A game at Veterans Field.
Josh Towle had four goals — three in final three minutes of regulation — and an assist to lead the Eagles (3-1). Ben Weeks, Aidan Calkins and James Varney each chipped in with a pair of goals for Messalonskee, which bounced back after an 11-8 loss to Eastern A frontrunner Brunswick on Wednesday.
Jordan Holmes and Eric Van Der Karr also scored for the Eagles, who didn’t pull away from the Red Eddies (1-3) until the final few minutes of regulation.
“We are working on four offenses right now,” Sheridan said. “We try to stick with one, but we’re just trying to see what works best.”
Messalonskee, the defending conference champs, loss key forwards Nate DelGiudice and Luke Vigue to graduation but returned a strong nucleus to contend again this season. Weeks replaced DelGiudice as the go-to player on offense.
“We have the same offense but we’re a little less powerful,” Weeks said. “It can be frustrating to get open sometimes. I have to work pretty hard at it.”
Weeks received plenty of attention from EL defenders Friday, which helped create some space for Towle — and he took advantage.
Towle scored all four goals in the second half to help the Eagles finally pull away from the Red Eddies, who trailed just 7-5 entering the fourth quarter.
“At the beginning of the game we came out kind of flat-footed,” Towle said. “I think we just came out and thought we were going to beat them by a lot. It actually turned out to be a pretty good game.”
The Eagles led just 8-6 when Trevor Haley scored with 3 minutes, 36 seconds left in regulation.
However, Towle scored three goals in the final three minutes to help secure the victory.
“It was kind of frustrating because every time we scored a goal they would turn around and get one,” Towle said. “If we’d score a couple goals, they would answer. We kept thinking we were about to pull away but then they kept coming back.”
Added Sheridan, who is in his 18th season: “(Towle) had a phenomenal game. We couldn’t get much separation on (EL) but we played OK. These guys are right where I expected us to be.”
Matt Adams paced EL with three goals while Haley finished with a pair. Weeks led the Eagles with two assists as well.
Bill Stewart — 621-5640
bstewart@centralmaine.com
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