RUMFORD – Mountain Valley rallied, but Lincoln Academy had the final say and scored a pair of goals, including Gary Word on a rush with 1:55 remaining, as the Eagles pulled out a 7-6 triumph over the Falcons in a boys’ lacrosse game at sun-drenched Hosmer Field.

Mountain Valley (1-9) had battled back from a two-goal deficit to tie the score when Anthony Rocray converted on a shorthanded tally. The Falcons had picked up their play in the fourth quarter and defender Chris Day carried the ball forward and passed the ball to Austin Horne, who flipped it to Rocray who one-timed a low blast past Eagles goalie Jesse Morkeski.

“That was a heartbreaker,” Mountain Valley coach Jeff Gilbert said. “We came so close and the kids wanted it on senior night. At halftime, we trailed 2-0 and Mike (assistant coach Chartier) and I told them they were still in the game. They certainly didn’t hang their heads and brought their play up a notch.”

Mountain Valley had tied the score 5-5 when Horne set up Kenny Armstrong with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Armstrong had scored earlier when the ball deflected off Myers Mercier on a crossing pass.

“The kids responded,” Gilbert said. “We worked really hard at winning ground balls and hard some good looks, but I credit their goalie for making the stops. Austin Horne played his best game all season and all attackers played well, even when Josh Allen went in.”

Lincoln (5-5) had tied the score 6-6 when Andrew Fettis beat Falcon goalie Levi ‘tiny’ Rajaniemi (11 saves) high in to the net. The Eagles had to feel snake bitten after having three goals waved off because of illegal sticks.

“We weren’t playing well early on,” Lincoln Academy coach George Workman said. “So, I moved my attackers back to the midfield when they had to run. But Mountain Valley deserves a lot of credit because they stepped forward and took it to us.”

The Falcons fed off Rajaniemi who made some big saves and the offense utilized patience by passing the ball around the perimeter. Armstrong scored from just outside the crease and tri-captain Matt Mowatt circled the net before flicking in a shot from the right side.

Lincoln Academy recaptured momentum by scoring two-quick goals. Sam Stone made it 5-2 midway through the third quarter.

The Falcons became the aggressors and scored three unanswered goals. Defender Cole Cark one timed a shot from 25 yards and Horne skipped a low shot in.

Mountain Valley had spent the first quarter killing off penalties and couldn’t generate a consistent offense.