Windham’s varsity boys’ lacrosse team was down three or four goals late in the third quarter during their first preseason scrimmage against Greely at Greely High School in Cumberland on Saturday, April 11. The Eagles fought back and tied the game, 7-7, after three quarters and were then able to keep the Rangers at bay for the remaining quarter to win, 10-9.
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| Windham senior Mason Arbour keeps his eye on the opposing defense as he makes his way toward the goal during a preseason varsity boys lacrosse game against Greely at Greely High School in Cumberland on Saturday, April 11. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
Windham took the field with intensity and began with multiple shots at goal. It wasn’t long before senior Jack Henry scored. Defense kept the Rangers from scoring too much in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Greely ran up the scoreboard a bit, but Windham kept their heads up. Sophomore Liam Reinbold scored and was quickly followed by junior Landon Wyman. The gap was closing, but Greely led 5-3 at intermission.
“We had to slow it down (to come back), take it step-by-step,” said Henry. “We were going a little bit too fast at first. Once we realized that it just clicked ... everyone keeping their energy up that’s what helps the most. When we slowed everything down, we didn’t complicate it. Defense got better shots to the offense, we got clears, saves, everything just happened. Fundamentals need work. We can only go up from here and the team morale is really high, and we have really good chemistry.”
The third quarter was a real turning point for the game. Windham was down by three or four goals. They knew if they worked hard, the goals would come. Henry scored, senior Mason Arbour scored. Mckenna scored twice and tied the game 7-7.
Arbour broke the tie and the Eagles took the lead for the first time in the second half.
Greely was held back by Windham defense. Mckenna scored again then senior Brad Muse scored.
As the clock ticked down, Windham made sure Eagle defense prevented Greely from getting this win.
“This is our first scrimmage, and I think the intensity in the second quarter got to guys and they started to doubt themselves and at times doubt their teammates which isn’t a good thing,” said Windham varsity coach Peter Small. “They quickly turned on that in the second half and said we are just looking to be better tomorrow than we are today ... guys started to believe in themselves and (that generated goals) and it kept going and going. Slow the game down in your mind, focus on your team, focus on the fundamentals; when they did that, things went really well in the fourth quarter.
The kids know they can’t get down on themselves when they get behind, and it was nice to hear them say that – it turned things around. Once they got flowing, the passes happened the groundballs happened. They played better once they actually had confidence that they could. We’ve got to get better at fundamentals. You can never get enough passing and catching, you can never get enough groundballs; we need more experience with spacing.” <
The third quarter was a real turning point for the game. Windham was down by three or four goals. They knew if they worked hard, the goals would come. Henry scored, senior Mason Arbour scored. Mckenna scored twice and tied the game 7-7.
Arbour broke the tie and the Eagles took the lead for the first time in the second half.
Greely was held back by Windham defense. Mckenna scored again then senior Brad Muse scored.
As the clock ticked down, Windham made sure Eagle defense prevented Greely from getting this win.
“This is our first scrimmage, and I think the intensity in the second quarter got to guys and they started to doubt themselves and at times doubt their teammates which isn’t a good thing,” said Windham varsity coach Peter Small. “They quickly turned on that in the second half and said we are just looking to be better tomorrow than we are today ... guys started to believe in themselves and (that generated goals) and it kept going and going. Slow the game down in your mind, focus on your team, focus on the fundamentals; when they did that, things went really well in the fourth quarter.
The kids know they can’t get down on themselves when they get behind, and it was nice to hear them say that – it turned things around. Once they got flowing, the passes happened the groundballs happened. They played better once they actually had confidence that they could. We’ve got to get better at fundamentals. You can never get enough passing and catching, you can never get enough groundballs; we need more experience with spacing.” <
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