Boys’ lacrosse

Class A

The youth movement in the coaching ranks is apparently on in the Twin Cities. One year after Lewiston grad and former standout defender Steve Cobb took over at Edward Little, another all-state player from the same Lewiston teams has taken over the Blue Devils’ program. Ben Fournier, son of former coach Tom Fournier, will look to continue what has developed into a tradition in Lewiston. The Blue Devils lost a lot through the midfield, but return experience on the back end, in the cage and on defense.

The Red Eddies took a step forward last year in Cobb’s first season, and as his system grows on the players this year, they will be a team to watch. The team is building a foundation and should be in the .500 range this season.

Brunswick, Messalonskee and Mt. Ararat will again be solid competition in the KVAC regular season.

Class B

St. Dom’s has been at the pinnacle in local Class B lacrosse for a while. The Saints will again be a solid team but likely will not be as dominant after losing one of the best forwards and one of the best goalies in Maine, as well as their coach. But don’t let the lower numbers and turnover fool you. The Saints are still going to be a team to reckon with in Eastern B. They have a number of returning players who may have been overshadowed the past couple of years ready to step into the spotlight.

Hot on the Saints’ heels this year though will be Oak Hill, which saw a marked improvement a year ago under another young coach, former Oak Hill standout Dan Brannigan. The Raiders have a sizable senior class to help along a good base of younger players, and two of their best are still learning the game. Oak Hill has big goals this year and has the firepower to achieve them.

Numbers have grown at Mountain Valley for Rick White, who is now in his second season with the boys’ team after a solid run as girls’ coach there. The team will look to take the next step forward this season as it transitions to a skills-first mentality.

Mt. Blue, with one of the youngest, most inexperienced teams in Maine last season, didn’t win a game. But coach John McDonough sees that changing this season, citing the drive the players have shown in the offseason to make sure of it. If the Cougars can develop a goalie, their defense and midfield play should be strong enough to earn a few wins.

Expect Yarmouth and NYA to again be solid in Eastern B this season.

Local players to watch: Jon Averill (Att., Oak); Matt Berube (G, EL); Cam Cormier (MF, EL); Kyle Flaherty (MF, Oak); Coyote Freeman (G, MV); Austin Glover (MF, MV); Trevor Haley (Att., EL); Tanner Hubbard (Att., Lew); Milo Jodrey (LSM, MV); Logan Lecompte (MF, Lew); Tom LePage (G, Lew); Calan Lucas (D, Mt. Blue); Matt Martin (G, Oak); Steve Patrie (D, Lew); Jon Petrie (Att., MV); Caleb Provost (Att., Oak); Jameson Rodrigue (LSM, EL); Ryan Rouillard (Att., Mt. Blue); Matt Smith (Att., Mt. Blue).

Girls’ lacrosse

Class A

The KVAC and Eastern A conversation has started and ended with Brunswick for some time now and would do well to start there again this season. But Lewiston has reason to believe it will at least be in the conversation in its own right by the end of the season. The Blue Devils return almost all of its starting lineup from a year ago and has a strong midfield and front end, as well as a proven goalie. If they can stay injury free and eligible all season, and if the younger players continue to develop around the veterans, the Devils will be a team to watch all season long.

Oxford Hills went with a younger lineup through the midfield and asked the players to log a lot of minutes in 2012. That will pay off this season as the Vikings continue to compete for a playoff spot after narrowly earning one a year ago. This year should see another rise in the final standings and a potential fight for a home playoff spot if the chemistry on this squad develops from the back end out.

Edward Little has a lot of experience returning as well, and will play a tougher schedule this season than it did last year, meaning every game is going to bring a challenge. It’s one the Red Eddies are ready for, though, with returning players at every position.

Class B

Mountain Valley graduated one of the best players in the state, leading scorer Ayla Allen, along with eight other solid seniors. The Falcons will have to rebuild this season with many players who have never played the sport. The veteran holdovers from a year ago will be an important piece of that rebuild.

Local players to watch: Sam Cote (G, Lew); Abby Day (MV); Natalie Delvisco (MF, OH); Kelsey Dumond (MF, Lew); Alexa Fryover (MV); Kristen Gamache (MF.Att., OH); Amanda Hanning (MF/Att., OH); Taylor Landry (MF, EL); Julia Langevin (G, EL); Hannah Lyon (MF, OH); Katie Puiia (MV); Emily Paione (D, Lew); Natalie Rousseau (Att., Lew); Shelbea Russell (MF, EL); Kate Sawyer (MF, EL); Jordan True (G, MV).

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