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GARDINER — The temperature rose Friday afternoon, and so did the Gardiner boys lacrosse team’s intensity.

Second-seeded Gardiner never trailed and never let up on its way to a 24-2 win over seventh-seeded Erskine Academy in a Class C quarterfinal at Hoch Field.

Eight players scored for the hosts, with the Whalen brothers combining for 13 goals and four assists, as Gardiner (10-5) earned its first victory in the quarterfinal round since reaching a regional final in Class B in 2017. This is the first year in which KC Johnson’s program is in Class C.

The Tigers ride a six-game winning streak, during which they’ve outscored opponents 106-20, into a semifinal against No. 3 Maranacook/Winthrop (9-6). The game will take place Tuesday at Lewiston High.

Erskine ends its season at 8-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Gardiner was dominant from the opening faceoff, using a quick, versatile attack to build its lead and stifling defense to prevent Erskine from creating any chances. Gardiner opened with six straight goals before the visitors notched one. The Tigers then got seven in a row before the Eagles scored again late in the second quarter.

• Brayden Elliott (eight points) and fellow senior Logan Cote (six points) were involved in 10 of the first 12 goals, and junior Eben Whalen (nine points) and freshman Luke Whalen (eight points) produced goals on shots from many angles.

“Those two have that continuity, they’ve had it since middle school,” Johnson said of Elliott and Cote. “And then you throw in Whalen and Whalen, we got a four-headed monster. … We spread the wealth a little bit, and kids know their roles, so it’s good. They like it. They love getting assists, and I love that.”

• The entire second half was played under running time.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

• Gardiner was 4-4 against Class B opponents (five of which were playoff teams) and ended the regular season with win against Class A Lewiston. Elliott believes the matchups with larger schools have prepared the Tigers well for the Class C tournament. Three previous years of playing in Class B also helps.

“I don’t think just because we’re in C, we should ever change our schedule,” Johnson said. “We should have the teams that we have. The Biddefords are good, the Greelys, those are battle-tested (Class B teams).”

• Gardiner’s next opponent, Maranacook/Winthrop, has also played many crossover games (1-3 against Class A, 3-1 against B) and has shown high-scoring prowess, including a 21-0 quarterfinal win against Lincoln Academy on Friday.

“It’s just energy,” Elliott said when asked how Gardiner can carry Friday’s defensive intensity into Tuesday. “We score, we keep on that same tone, and we just work our butts off.”

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Erskine: Braeden Temple (two goals), Taisen Pilotte (two assists), Jackson Blake (13 saves)

• Gardiner: Eben Whalen (seven goals, two assists), Luke Whalen (six goals, two assists), Brayden Elliott (two goals, six assists), Logan Cote (four goals, two assists), Chase McGrane (three saves)

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