Lacrosse notes

Monday, May 16, 2005

Lacrosse notes

By DAVID McLAUGHLIN
Correspondent

She has taken a ton of abuse, hard hits and insults over the past three seasons, but Mt. Blue High School senior Carlah Robbins says it's all worth it because she enjoys playing lacrosse as a member of the Cougars boys team.

A starter on the Cougars girls soccer team as a midfielder and the starting point guard on the basketball team this winter, Robbins totally understands hard-nosed competition. As a junior varsity player last season, Robbins didn't mind the hits she took as long as she had the chance to return the favor.

"Last year, I got hit sometimes and there would be people yelling on the sidelines for players to hit me hard," she said. "It was OK when it was part of the game, besides we have some guys on our team that are very protective."

Now in her final season, she has moved up to the varsity where she contributes and is gaining minutes every match.

"I really appreciate what she has done on the field for us," Mt. Blue coach Mark Cyr said. "She has not been afraid to hit anyone and has been learning the game and showing improvement."

Several years ago, Cyr had another girl play on the Cougar boys team but she did not make it to the varsity level like Robbins has.

"She is the first girl to make it to this level at our school," he said. "She has done very well."

Robbins recalls the moment the thought of playing lacrosse came into her mind.

"We were sitting in geometry class, my sophomore year," she said. "A couple of the guys talked me into playing. That afternoon, they took me out to buy a stick. I have enjoyed every minute of it."

"I really just like playing because the people on the team want to be here," she added. "I feel they have accepted me as a player and that makes me feel good."

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Gardiner's Kolby Peckham realizes the importance of shooting practice. Extra practice gives the attacker the edge when they can find the slightest opening to squeeze off a shot.

"I practice shooting all the time," said Peckham, after scoring five goals from long range against Mt. Blue on Saturday. "I enjoy it, but it is something I do as much as I can."

A number of attackers in central Maine are having quality seasons. At Messalonskee, Ted Fabian and Mitch Beck are keeping the Eagles attack in high gear, netting 23 and 18 goals, respectively.

Mt. Blue's trio of Zach Frechette (15), Evan Xanthos (13) and Nate Pickrell (11) have helped keep the Cougars attack on track. Wiscasset's Caleb Jones had four goals last week versus Mtn. Valley and has been averaging nearly two a game this season.

Rivaling Peckham's recent goal surge has been Oak Hill's Casey Behne, who notched six against the Tigers last week. Cony's Dillon Shaw and Chris Gay have shown the ability to find the back of the net in most games as well.

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Games to watch

4 p.m., Wednesday,

Messalonskee (6-2)

at Gardiner (1-6)

Record-wise this game appears to be a mismatch and could end up an Eagle runaway. The Tigers, however, have played some very tight matches and are just tapping their potential. Gardiner's Kolby Peckham is a dangerous scorer, but the Tigers need another player to step up on the attack. Messalonskee will counter with Ted Fabian and Mitch Beck. If either are slowed by the Gardiner defense, the Tigers could pull off the upset.

11 a.m., Saturday, Brunswick (7-0) at Messalonskee (6-2)

A lot will be riding on this game for Messalonskee. If the Eagles have a good week, they certainly could give the Dragons all they can handle. Messalonskee will need a big game from its defense to stop Brunswick's quick counterattacking transition game.