PARIS – After three days of November rain, cranked-up thermostats and indoor practices, it was hard to fault the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School girls’ lacrosse team for feeling a little bit gassed when May had the gall to return.

The youthful, short-benched Vikings threw a Saturday scare into the second-ranked team in Eastern Class A at Don Gouin Athletic Complex. But five consecutive Messalonskee goals in a late, seven-minute span allowed the Eagles to take flight, 14-8, and damped the Vikings’ Senior Day festivities.

“I don’t feel Messalonskee was the better team. I don’t feel they played like the better team,” said Oxford Hills coach Sarah Proulx. “I think being the second-place team, they expected less from us. Then their coach got on them. They picked it up. When my team gets tired, that happens. But they’re in the same boat, you know?”

Senior Miranda Tinsman and sophomore Abbey Storey each scored twice for the Eagles (9-2) after Oxford Hills briefly crept within a goal. Messalonskee finished on a 7-2 run over the final 12 minutes.

Tinsman and Madison Kadnar each scored five times to propel the Eagles. Stacey served up four assists to complement her own hat trick.

Messalonskee’s crisp, short passing game kept the Eagles a half step ahead of a weary Vikings defense in the closing stages.

“Once it calmed down is when we’re more apt to be able to play our game. When the officials have control of the game, our style of play is much more suited,” said Messalonskee coach Heather Merrill. “They’re a lot more physical than we are. I think toward the end maybe they weren’t as careful trying to put it all on the line, and we were much more in control.”

Lauren Brett scored four goals in her final home game for Oxford Hills (5-6). Ebony Mills chipped in three goals. Heather Knights added another.

Brett and Mills each answered an early Messalonskee goal to keep the game even.

Kadnar converted to give the Eagles the lead for keeps, but the Vikings enjoyed numerous opportunities to pull even once again during a scoreless 15-minute stretch at both ends.

“These girls were so pumped and ready to play and play hard,” Proulx said. “I really don’t have a lot of subs for them.”

Tinsman’s second goal of the half and a late defensive takeaway by Ali Omsberg – one of many on the morning for the Messalonskee sophomore – protected a 4-2 lead at intermission.

Stacey collected an unassisted goal in the first 90 seconds of the second stanza, but Oxford Hills chalked up three of the next four to claw back into it.

Riding the crest of several huge stops by Mariah Kimball (15 saves in all), Mills scored twice and Knights notched one.

Lydia Kouletis cashed in a one-timer off a feed from Anna Marie Caldwell for Messalonskee’s answer, but Brett circled the net and steered the ball past goalie Sarah Jacques from an odd angle to continue the Vikings’ onslaught and make it 7-6 with 12:08 to go.

“It’s been this hot one other time,” said Merrill, whose ensuing timeout for a water break helped silence the momentum. “We haven’t played in this kind of weather at all. We haven’t even practiced in it. It’s hard on the kids.”

Alexis Gamache and Becca Brophy joined Brett as seniors making their final appearance on the Gouin green.

Oxford Hills, ranked No. 5 in Eastern A, would play a road quarterfinal game in the playoffs if it can stay there.

“Beating Cony (on the road in Monday’s regular-season finale) would definitely help,” Proulx said.