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OAKLAND — In a key moment, the Messalonskee boys lacrosse team that has plenty of experience pulled itself back from the brink of elimination.

Add in some clutch goals from a pair of freshmen, and the Eagles turned a potential disappointment into a thrilling playoff win.

Messalonskee came back from a six-goal deficit to defeat Kennebunk, 12-10, in a Class B quarterfinal Friday at Veterans Field. The Eagles advance to the semifinals to face No. 2 Yarmouth (13-2) on Wednesday at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford. 

“I think having guys who have been at this point before, they know what it takes, and they were there for us when we needed them most,” said Messalonskee coach Tom Sheridan. “We had some of our young guys come through, too. Somebody was always there to step up for us.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sixth-seeded Kennebunk (9-6) went on a 6-0 run in the first half to put Messalonskee in a big hole. Kellen Connor scored three times as the Rams opened a 7-1 lead with 9:24 left in the first half. 

“I think for a while there, we were just flat,” Sheridan said. “I think part of it was the long layoff and battling injuries and stuff like that. … We changed formations (to a 1-4-1), too, and it didn’t really work too well for us in the beginning. I think once we went back to some other looks in the second half, it opened things up.”

• Freshman Peyton Henning scored twice to fuel a four-goal run as third-seeded Messalonskee (12-3) cut its deficit to 7-5 at the half. Then, with the Eagles down 10-6, Henning scored his fourth goal of the game to start another big rally.

• Messalonskee’s senior leaders continued the comeback. Ryan Parent scored twice, bookending a goal by Owen Kirk, as the Eagles tied the game at 10-10 with 6:44 left. Landon Stewart scored with 5:20 remaining to give Messalonskee the lead, and freshman Malachi Cusano made it a two-goal game with 4:23 left.

• Messalonskee barely let Kennebunk possess the ball in the final few minutes, playing keep-away to complete the comeback.

WHAT IT MEANS

• Messalonskee has reached five consecutive semifinals. The experience of players such as Parent, Kirk, Stewart, Tatum Doucette and others who have played roles in recent playoff runs was key in getting the Eagles back there.

“(That experience) really helped us,” Parent said. “It kept us composed throughout, and when we had to keep it in the box the last two minutes, we had guys that could do it. We had Tatum scrapping behind and Malachi using his wheels. It was a great team effort altogether.”

• Messalonskee has won nine games in a row. The Eagles have not lost since a May 12 defeat to Yarmouth, who they will face in the semifinals.

• Kennebunk, which began the season 8-0, lost six of seven to end the season. 

THEY SAID IT

• “It really starts with the midfielders working hard in transition and defense, and big shout-outs to (goalie Andrew Witham) and the defense for holding them to little to no goals in the second half. … Our freshmen, Henning had a hell of a game, and Malachi had a hell of a game. Good showing from all of the boys today.” — Ryan Parent

• “It all goes out to my teammates, really. They started it all, and I just have to finish it.” — Peyton Henning

STAT LEADERS

• Kennebunk: Kellen Connor (four goals), Grisam Shields (three goals), Moose Keys (15 saves)

• Messalonskee: Peyton Henning (four goals), Landon Stewart (three goals), Malachi Cusano (two goals), Ryan Parent (two goals), Andrew Witham (15 saves)