Windham boys’ lacrosse captures back-to-back wins against Cheverus

Windham High sophomore Tobias Perkins makes his way
around defenders and moves toward the goal during a boys'
varsity lacrosse game against Cheverus on Friday, May 20
in Portland. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

Windham’s varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams had two solid wins against the Stags at Cheverus on Friday, May 20.

Windham’s varsity team came out strong and scored early. They continued to score and won 15-1 after two halves.

While Windham’s junior varsity team had a little bit of a slower start in the first half, the Eagles increased intensity in the second half and walked off the field with an 8-2 win.

Varsity

“Ball movement was well,” said Windham varsity boys’ lacrosse coach Peter Small. “The further into the season we get, we’re moving the ball better with our sticks. Now we’re doing a better job of seeing where our teammates are and moving it and our teammates getting into position to receive those passes.”

Windham pressured early and it wasn’t long before junior Alex Yeaton put Windham on the scoreboard.

Cheverus answered to tie the game, but that was all the scoring the Eagles would allow the Stags.

Windham seniors Nolan Brennan and William Woolston both scored. When the Cheverus goalie stepped away from the net, Yeaton took the opportunity and flipped the ball in for another goal.

Windham sophomore Blake McPherson scored twice in the second half. Windham freshman Evan Yale scored back-to-back-to-back. Brennan scored in the final 30 seconds of the half. Midway through, Windham led 10-1.

Yale said the win was a result of the team passing well and using their formation. He scored his first goals as a varsity player, which he said the team helped him. He added it felt great.

“We came out strong, it was a team effort; we were moving the ball really good,” said Windham varsity sophomore Tobias Perkins. “Everyone stepped up and was shooting.”

There was no lack of intensity in the second half. Woolston scored again. Also to score were Perkins, senior Sam Glicos and junior Owen Gaulrapp.

Junior Varsity

Windham freshman Aiden Heath found the back of the net early in the game.

The Eagles pressured but had a slow start. Yale scored and gave Windham the lead 2-1 at the half.

“We moved the ball really well and down the field and got some good goals on fast breaks,” said Heath. “We are trying to be a full quarter team and we start slow sometimes, but we really ... thrived in the third and fourth quarters.”

Windham junior Logan Orr scored. Then Heath scored three more times.

Windham scored again before the final buzzer.

Windham junior varsity boys’ lacrosse coach Seth Fournier said it was the fundamentals that led to the win.

“Things like defensive position and off-ball movement,” Fournier said. “Passing and catching, good shot selection, people getting open, making the right passes at the right time were also positives. <