Megan Steele of Edward Little High School winds up a shot on Oceanside goalie Nicole Ladd during the first half in Auburn on Tuesday. Ladd made the save. 

AUBURN —  Despite giving up only seven goals, Edward Little mustered just five of its own as Oceanside toppled the Red Eddies 7-5 in girls’ KVAC lacrosse action at Walton Field on Tuesday.

After tying the game at four one minute into the second half, the Eddies stayed within reach, but couldn’t quite catch the Mariners.

Sarah Lachance pulled the home team within one at 6-5 with 7:07 remaining, and EL had its best chance to tie the score when Piper Norcross found Megan Steele in front of the net, but Steele’s shot went wide. Kelsey Brooks pushed across a goal with 2:16 left to keep EL two goals back and to seal the victory. Oceanside held the advantage in shots, 22-21.

Brooks’ twin sister, Jillian, netted four goals, including a pair in the second half.

Edward Little has had minimal practice outside this spring, so spacing and adjustments to the field were something they worked at all game.

“Offensively we were doing a great job with our movement and setting up our team defense, EL coach Jessica Somers said. “We have only had two practices outside, so our mechanics struggled a little transitioning from the small gym to the big field.”

Mariah Vaillancourt had an outstanding game in net for the Eddies, turning away 17 Oceanside shots.

“I’m really hard on myself so I sometimes get a little frustrated, but I’m able to pull it back in and I refocus,” the senior goalie said.

“Our defense does a really great job communicating in front and they’re only going to get better,” she added.

“She brings a lot of leadership for us,” Somers said. “Having someone strong back there both mentally and physically helps us with our confidence. That allows our defense to not worry about some of the shots that will come through because she’s that good.”

Oceanside got on the board first just 23 seconds into the game when Jillian Brooks shot one past Vaillancourt.

EL tied the score quickly when Steele slipped one to the left side of the net past Mariner goalie Nicole Ladd. Kaylee Jipson picked up a loose ball out in front of the net and scored an unassisted goal giving the Red Eddies a 2-1 lead at the 21:37 mark.

Edward Little (0-2) continued to shoot at Ladd, who turned away nine shots, including a quick pair by Steele late in the first half to preserve the lead. 

After an Oceanside goal tied the score, Haley Frohlich put them back ahead when she came around the net from the backside to wrap it around the net for score. The Brooks sisters closed out the half with a goal each for a 4-3 Mariners lead at the half.

Megan Steele of Edward Little High School zeros in on the ball during Tuesday’s game against Oceanside. 

Piper Norcross of Edward Little High School fires a shot on Oceanside goalie Nicole Ladd during the first half in Auburn on Tuesday. Laslavic made the save. 

Edward Little goalie Mariah Vaillancourt closes the door on Kelsey Brooks of Oceanside during the first half in Auburn on Tuesday. 

Maddy Landry, right, of Edward Little defends Sydney Hall of Oceanside in Auburn on Tuesday. 

Haley Frohlich of Edward Little High School cradles the ball against Taylor Hamlin of Oceanside during the first half in Auburn on Tuesday. 

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