High school sports coverage is proudly supported by Maine State Credit Union. 

View 9 photos

KENNEBUNK — As a third-year boys lacrosse starting goalkeeper, Messalonskee High junior Andrew Witham knows certain wins mean more.

The Eagles’ 9-5 victory Tuesday at Kennebunk goes in that category.

“Beating a southern Maine team while being in central Maine is pretty big. It’s a big deal for a program like us,” Witham said.

“Class B matters so much,” added Witham, who prefers to be called Tank. “It’s really good for the program looking into the future, for playoffs and stuff like that.”

A year ago, Messalonskee hosted Kennebunk in a Class B quarterfinal in Oakland and rallied from an early six-goal deficit to win, 12-10. The rematch Tuesday showed that the well-balanced Eagles are worthy of being considered a title contender, especially now that 2025 state champion Yarmouth is in Class A.

EARLY DOMINANCE

Messalonskee (2-0) grabbed control right away against Kennebunk (0-2), which lost 13 starters from last year’s team.

The Eagles had a 13-1 shot advantage and a 4-0 lead after the first quarter. Kennebunk goalie Aiden Ouellette (10 saves) did well to stop four of the eight shots on goal, but Colton Enos (two goals), Tatum Doucette (man-up), and Peyton Henning scored for Messalonskee.

PENALTIES SWING GAME

Kennebunk began to find its footing in the second quarter, and with two goals from senior Kyle Wells, both assisted by sophomore Tagg Connor, cut the lead to 5-2.

With Kennebunk pressuring for another strike, Wells was called for unnecessary roughness on a loose-ball play, then compounded it by taking off his helmet while on the field of play. New this year, removal of the helmet is a one-minute “locked-in” penalty.

With the man advantage, Enos and standout midfielder Malachi Cusano scored for Messalonskee, and Cusano added another goal seconds after the penalty expired to make it 8-2.

Similar penalties cost Kennebunk in its season-opening loss to Class A Deering, said third-year coach Luke Myers.

“It’s just been penalties and self-inflicted wounds that have really been hurting us,” Myers said. “You could see flashes today. When we put it together and play the way we’re supposed to play, we look really good. We’re fun to watch.”

CALLED BOTH WAYS

In the second half, Messalonskee was the team playing a man-down, but Witham and his defense allowed only one goal in five man-down situations. Witham made nine of his 11 saves in the second half, plus one alert interception when the Rams had a two-man advantage.

“I don’t like being man-down. We were double man-down today in the third quarter and that really stopped our momentum,” Witham said.

PHYSICAL WITH A PURPOSE

Two-way senior midfielder Daymion LeBlanc switched momentum back in Messalonskee’s favor with a physical, energetic rush.

LeBlanc scooped up a loose ball just a few yard inside the sideline in front of Messalonskee’s bench. With Eagles coach Tom Sheridan loudly reminding him to be alert to stepping out of bounds, LeBlanc drove his left shoulder into successive Kennebunk defenders trying to push him out of bounds, planting each opponent on the ground. Then he zipped a long, on-target pass across the field to Doucette, who made a quick assist for a Landon Stewart transition goal.

“I was just (thinking) I’ve got to get the ball down to the side we need and we’ve got to get the goal, so I just put my body into it and ran through them. I love it, too. It made me feel great,” LeBlanc said.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Messalonskee: Colton Enos (three goals), Malachi Cusano (two goals, one assist), Landon Stewart (two goals), Tatum Doucette (one goal, one assist), Andrew Witham (11 saves).

Kennebunk: Kyle Wells (four goals), Tagg Connor (four assists), Grisam Shields (goal), Aiden Ouellette (10 saves).