It was almost deja vu all over again for the Boothbay lacrosse team May 17. The Lady Seahawks were playing the combined Maranacook/Winthrop team without one of their players. On April 22, in the team’s first game, they played a man short in the 10-9 loss against Maranacook/Winthrop as senior defender Lilley Harris missed the game. And when Maranacook/Winthrop arrived at Sherman Field Friday, the Lady Seahawks were once again, a man down, as attacker Emily Echols was absent. 

But this was a new game with a different result, as Boothbay earned a key victory beating No. 6 Maranacook/Winthrop, 10-7, in boosting its record and standing in the Class C Heal points. Boothbay’s win improved its record to 4-3 and moved its position from 11th, one spot out of a playoff spot, to eighth. Boothbay briefly trailed Maranacook/Winthrop, 2-1, as  the combined team scored twice after Seahawk Reagan Cola scored the game’s first goal 5:24 into the contest. But the Seahawks’ response was fast and furious in scoring the game’s next eight goals. Attacker Chloe Arsenault tied the game at 6:44 which was followed by an Emilie Crocker goal followed by ones from Arsenault, Cortney Meader and Hannah Cola. The half ended with Boothbay holding a 6-2 lead. 

In the second half, Boothbay’s scoring onslaught continued with three more goals in building a seven-goal lead. Maranacook/Winthrop rallied, scoring the game’s next five goals, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. The Lady Seahawks prevailed, despite a tired and undermanned roster.

”I think they expected to beat us, and when they fell behind, they were pretty feisty,” said Harris. “They got a little rattled which increased their contact and their physicality.”

Boothbay compensated for playing a man down with a strong performance by Arsenault in winning draws and an improved passing game. On defense, Harris’ presence allowed the Seahawks’ defense to clearly communicate in defending their goal. “It really helps with Lilley back there because she yells so everybody knows what to do,” Meader said. 

In building a 9-2 lead, the game’s pace finally caught up to Boothbay, as its seven-goal lead dwindled to two. Boothbay coach Bill Goldenberg expected Maranacook/Winthrop to close the deficit for two reasons. “I prepared them for what happened at halftime. I knew they would be upset and frustrated and come after us. I got a little worried, but lacrosse is a game of runs so I expected the game to get closer and was pleased at how we responded and played, especially with being a man down,” he said.

On May 13, Boothbay narrowly missed a chance at making an even bigger move in the standings. In South China, Boothbay trailed No. 5 Erskine, 8-4, at halftime, but a second half rally reduced the deficit to two goals, before the Eagles won 10-8.

“We were a little sluggish getting off the bus and fell behind early,” Goldenberg said. “We fought hard in the second half, but ultimately fell to Erskine.” For Boothbay, Reagan Cola was the leading scorer with three. Other Seahawk scorers were Meader with two goals and two assists and Arsenault had two goals. Hali Goodwin also scored once. On defense, goalie Alexis Davison made 13 saves. Boothbay had all 12 roster players against Erskine.

Boothbay (4-3) moved from 11th place to eighth in the Heal point standings. The Lady Seahawks have two remaining games this week against Class B opponents. On May 23, Boothbay travels to Topsham to play No.9  Mount Ararat (3-5) and on May 25, the Lady Seahawks travel to Fairfield for a game versus No. 12 Lawrence (2-5).