WATERVILLE — Thanks to the Messalonskee girls lacrosse team, a new board can be added to the school’s snack shack.
The Eagles defeated Lewiston 18-10 on Saturday at Thomas College for the school’s first Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference girls lacrosse title.
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Before the game, Messalonskee coach Ashley Pullen gave the team added motivation to complete its task.
“Before the game I showed them a picture of the snack shack, and there’s a field hockey sign with all of their KVAC championships, and there’s a blank space that’s just waiting for a lacrosse board,” Pullen said. “We’ve had this theme of ‘show everybody,’ show them you’re the best team in the KVAC. You can go 12-0, but if you can’t win the big games, you’re not a championship team.”
Messalonskee (13-0) scored early and often, jumping out to a 6-0 lead before the Blue Devils (10-3) scored their first goal. Kristy Bernatchez led the Eagles with five goals while Allison Fischang scored four goals and Sydney Gagne scored three.
Messalonskee was ahead 3-0 in the first four minutes of the game, thanks to two goals by Bernatchez and one by Gagne. Gagne, Mikayla Turner and Lillian DeLisle scored the next three goals, giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
Bernatchez, Fischang and Kristen Kern each added goals to round out the first-half scoring for the Eagles, who took a 9-3 lead into the half.
Messalonskee stretched its lead to 16-6 midway through the third period. But Lewiston responded with four unanswered goals, cutting the lead to 16-10 with six minutes remaining in the game.
“We knew (Lewiston) would come out really aggressive, really athletic,” Bernatchez said.
“We had some defensive breakdowns, we could have played cleaner for sure,” Pullen said.
The Eagles’ offensive attack made up for the defensive breakdowns as Fischang and Gagne scored the final two goals.
The team prepared for the humidity with a scrimmage against Kennebunk on Thursday at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and a practice Friday at Thomas.
“We had a hot, hard practice that day,” Pullen said. “It was definitely to our advantage to have those practices. (The players) were tired, they were hot, I gave them lots of water breaks, but I think we came in in good condition and we were ready for the weather.”
Messalonskee has short time to enjoy the conference title. The Eastern Class A playoffs begin Wednesday.
“Everyone’s really excited, but we still have a long way to go,” Bernatchez said.
Dave Dyer — 621-5639
ddyer@centralmaine.com
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