Season ends in regional finals for Windham High lacrosse squads

Windham senior Julia McKenna fires a shot close
to the goal during the girls' lacrosse regional
final game against Falmouth on Tuesday, June 
15 at Falmouth High School. PHOTO BY 
MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

The number two seeded Windham High girls’ lacrosse team and the number six seeded Windham High boys’ lacrosse team both competed in regional final playoff games against Falmouth at Falmouth High School on Tuesday, June 15 and although they exhibited plenty of intensity and emotion, both teams were eventually eliminated.

Windham’s girls were tough and forced overtime; but Falmouth advanced to the championship game with a 13-12 win. Windham’s boys came from behind and never gave up, but in the end, Falmouth held them off and emerged with a 10-7 victory.

Girls 

Windham senior Emma Yale scored in the first 17 seconds. Next to score was senior Julia McKenna, then junior Molly Black. Falmouth then tied the game at three. Yale’s goal tied the game at four. But McKenna scored, Windham senior Riley Beem did the same and at the half, Falmouth was ahead only by a 7-6 margin.

Yale scored back-to-back goals in the second half and Windham junior Isabelle Babb knocked the ball from a Falmouth stick and shot it in for a goal. Beem scored, Black scored again, and Falmouth led 12-11 before Windham senior Riley Hennessy tied the game at 12 with a goal.

At the buzzer, the contest remained tied and went into overtime to decide who advanced to the title game.

Overtime was one three-minute period and the first to score wins according to MPA rules. The Lady Eagles fought hard, but Falmouth gained possession and scored to advance.

“We were coming back; it was really cool to see. It was exciting; I was really pumped up,” said Yale. “The senior class has all been together for so long. We all wanted (the win) for each other ... and we worked so hard ... and that’s what made it special.”

Windham Girls’ Lacrosse Coach Matt Perkins said he has a great group who did not quit. He added that they worked hard, and the seniors are a great example for the younger players, who they’ve taught how to act and how to work hard.

“It’s a really special group,” Perkins said.

Boys

Falmouth scored early, but Windham’s defense was strong. Windham’s offense fired shot after shot after shot at Falmouth goalie. Junior Nolan Brennan put Windham on the board in the second quarter when he scored back-to-back goals. Falmouth was up 4-2 after one half of play.

Windham would not let this one go without a fight. In the second half, senior Derek Palow scored two goals; and so did senior Holden Anderson. Sophomore Alex Yeaton tallied another goal as Windham continued to battle.

In the second half Windham came within one point of Falmouth. Windham’s defense gained several possessions from Falmouth and kept this game close until the final buzzer.

Windham coach Pete Small said he knew that Falmouth players are strong. What Small said he took away from this game is that the Windham team believed in themselves and kept fighting and and never let up.

“We’ve played them every year and they are (quite) a team ... we knew going into this there was going to be a battle and if we worked as hard as we could, we’d be in the game”, said Anderson. “I think we worked as hard as we could. The outcome just wasn’t the way we wanted, but I wouldn’t want to play with another group of guys.” <