OAKLAND-The Lewiston Blue Devils dug their way out of an early three-goal deficit, but they couldn’t do it a second time.
The Messalonskee Eagles took advantage of some ill-advised penalties in the first half to score three consecutive goals with a man advantage en route to a 10-8 boys’ lacrosse win Tuesday.
The Eagles (4-0) received goals from three different players in the opening minutes of the match to stake themselves to a 3-0 lead. Lewiston (1-2) roared back with three goals just as quickly as Jon Fournier notched the first two and Dave Patry tied things up at 3-3.
Jonathan Roy intercepted a clearing pass and fed Fournier for an easy goal in front. Moments later, Fournier scooped up a loose ball in front and deposited it past Eagle keeper Tim Davis (16 saves).
After a Wayne Evans tally gave the Eagles a 4-3 advantage, the Blue Devils lost their composure.
Three consecutive Blue Devil penalties resulted in just as many scores with a man up for the Eagles.
Evans, Ted Fabian (four goals, three assists) and Nils Koons (two goals, three assists) were all successful in getting shots past Lewiston keeper John Collette (seven saves), who played with a broken thumb.
“I thought we had settled ourselves down,” said Lewiston coach Tom Fournier, “then we get three stupid penalties. That was a big part of the game. We have to play smart.”
The early outburst was typical of the Eagles’ play this season.
“We’re a run-and-gun team,” said Messalonskee coach Tom Sheridan. “Right off the bat, we were clicking really well. Ted has been passing well, but today he was on.”
Fabian quarterbacked the Eagles’ extra-man offense from the top of the attack goal area. Often he found an open teammate slicing through the area. When he saw an opening for his shot, he took it. With just a small opening available, he would bullet a shot either off the ground or into an open space up higher.
“Whatever’s open is what we try to get,” said Fabian. “We got on a roll, and we stayed with the game plan.”
Davis turned aside the first five shots in the second half before Fabian’s fourth goal put the Eagles up 9-4.
The Blue Devils sent 14 shots toward the Eagles’ goal after the intermission and scored four times, but they could get no closer than a two-goal deficit in the final 30 seconds.
Fournier finished with a hat trick while Zach Sheltra added a pair of goals.
dst.hilaire@sunjournal.com
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