AUGUSTA — If one glanced quickly at the results for the Cony and Erskine girls lacrosse teams this season, they might mistake them for baseball or softball scores.
Monday’s contest between the two teams was hardly a pitchers’ duel, but not quite a slugfest either as the Rams (4-1 Class B North) picked up a 9-4 win over the visiting Eagles (4-2 Class B North).
“As long as you score one more than the other team, you’re going to get a ‘W.’ We try to focus on preventing their scoring opportunities because that really feeds the other team’s confidence,” Cony coach Gretchen Livingston said. “If we can keep their numbers down and just keep plugging in one here, another one there that seems to be working for us.
“I would love (to score) even some more but we seem to be getting just enough to make it happen. We had more of a cushion (Tuesday) than we’ve had in our other games, which was nice.”
The offense has not consistently been there for the Rams or Eagles in the early part of the season. As of Tuesday afternoon, Erskine was 11th out of 14 teams in Class B North in goals per game with an average of 5.7 per contest and only ahead of 0-6 Lawrence (2.67) and 0-4 Winslow (4.5).
Cony ranks ninth with 7.0 goals per game, yet there both teams were Tuesday afternoon in Augusta with combined 8-3 records and the midpoint of the season rapidly approaching.
Who each team has played thus far has had a role in the early success of both teams — which the Heal points will ultimately balance out — yet the Eagles and Rams have each found ways to win this season in less-than-traditional manners.
As the numbers show, the Rams have had the more potent offense this season. They sport a 10-9 win over Winslow and Tuesday’s nine-goal outburst against Erskine. Cony also has a 5-4 win over McAuley and 6-4 victory against Brunswick, as well as a 10-5 loss to Gardiner. Defense has made the difference, though, as the Rams rank sixth in goals allowed per game with an average of 6.2 per contest.
“We just have a really tight defense and the communication is really there,” Cony goalkeeper Lizzy Dennison said. “We just really work as a unit, which I think really helps.”
Erskine, meanwhile, has been as stingy as anyone. Of its four wins, three of them have come in games in which it has scored seven goals or less — including a 4-3 win over Camden Hills. The Eagles are giving up just 4.0 goals per game, tied for second best with Oceanside and behind Morse (3.75) in Class B North.
“As a whole, our defense is pretty solid when we’re rested and ready to go,” Erskine coach Shara MacDonald said.
For both the Rams and Eagles, their strength as defensive units begin in the back. Dennison — who had 10 saves Tuesday — was one of Cony’s top players a season ago and returned every bit as sharp this spring.
“We’re super lucky that we have Lizzy Dennison in cage this year as a senior,” Livingston said.
MacDonald had similar things to say about her goalie, Malorie Weaver. The senior had seven saves in net Tuesday and, though this is just her second season of lacrosse, she has been a fast learner.
“She’s the backbone on this team and she’s done a real good job this season,” MacDonald said. “(She’s) very aggressive and has worked very hard in the goalie spot.”
If they had their choice, both teams would like to score more goals but, for now, edging out wins that mimic softball scores is just fine.
“We’re just taking every game, every day, working hard and trying to do our best,” Dennison said. “We’re working hard at practice to try and make that gap bigger. Until then, a win is a win.”
Evan Crawley — 621-5640
ecrawley@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @Evan_Crawley
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