Playing a man down the entire game wasn’t a problem May 31 for the Boothbay lacrosse team. The Lady Seahawks concluded their 12-game regular season with a 9-4 victory over Hall-Dale/Gardiner. Boothbay only had 11 players and played a large segment of the second half two players down and briefly with a third player down. 

Attacker Reagan Cola scored Boothbay’s first two goals in the game’s first seven minutes. She scored a third goal, but a second yellow card in the second half forced her to the sidelines. Without a substitute, Boothbay was now two players down. Boothbay lost another player with 3:10 remaining when attacker Cortney Meader was felled by an injury. Boothbay could’ve substituted for both Cola and Meader, but had no substitutes. Still, Boothbay persevered as defender Hannah Cola scored her team’s  ninth and final goal with 1:46 remaining.

With the win, Boothbay (6-6) moved from seventh to sixth in the Class C Heal point standings. Hall-Dale (7-5) finished fifth in the Class B standings. Playing a couple players down wasn’t  the game’s only unusual circumstance. It was the final home game of the season which was played under the lights and five seniors were recognized for their dedication to the sport: Reagan and Hannah Cola, Lilley Harris, Maddy Barter and Alex Davison. 

With a roster of only 12 players, Boothbay played every game without a substitute and on a few occasions a man down for the entire contest. Despite the obstacle, Boothbay managed to win six  games and  avoid a preliminary playoff game. Boothbay coach Bill Goldenberg described his squad as a smart, tough team.

“They were psyched for this game. It was senior night and under the lights, so they came out ready to play. This is also a really tough group which has improved throughout the season and we’re starting to put things together. And it’s really starting to show,” he said.

In allowing only four goals, defense has been a team strength during the season. Goldenberg points towards the unit’s experience and smarts as why it has produced solid results this season. 

This was the second consecutive year defenders Kylie Brown, Lilley Harris, Maddie Barter and Hannah Cola played together. “Hannah is a great shutdown defender and Lilley is a great communicator who does a great job in directing the defense. This was also the second year all four played as a unit and it really showed in how well they played,” Goldenberg said.

Boothbay’s leading scorers were Reagan Cola and Chloe Arsenault who scored three goals each. Other Seahawk scorers were Cortney Meader with two and Hannah Cola with one. Journey Bennett and Hali Goodwin registered one assist apiece. In goal, Alexia Davison made 10 saves on 14 shots. 

Boothbay travels to Auburn at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 for a quarterfinal match-up versus No. 3 Saint Dominic’s Academy (7-5).