The Boothbay lacrosse season ended June 8 with a 9-5 loss to Gardiner in the Class B North quarterfinals. Gardiner broke a 3-3 halftime tie scoring three goals in a five-minute span.

No. 5 Boothbay finished the season with a 10-3 mark. No. 4 Gardiner (8-5) advanced to the regional semifinals against No. 1 Morse on June 9.

Boothbay, playing its first tournament game in its inaugural season, took an early lead on midfielder Kate Friant’s first of two goals 89 seconds into the contest. Gardiner countered by scoring the next two. Attacker Sydney Meader tied the contest at 2-2 with her first of two goals.

Boothbay overcame its second deficit of the half when Friant scored with five minutes remaining, tying the contest at 3-3.

But the second half belonged to the Tigers. Three quick Tigers goals put the Seahawks in a deficit for good. Gardiner has a veteran team with six seniors and two juniors comprising their 12-man starting line-up. And they took full advantage of their experience by forcing the younger Seahawks to change their strategy.

Boothbay employed a zone defense this season which double teams opponents in the defensive end. But with a three-goal lead, Gardiner’s experienced offensive patiently passed the ball around waiting for the Seahawk defense to react. With time running out on their season, Boothbay coach Donna Jordan switched to a man-to-man defense to disrupt the patient Tiger attack.

“We played a zone defense very successfully this season and when Gardiner scored the quick three goals it forced us out of it,” said Jordan.

Playing a tough and experienced opponent on the road wasn’t the only challenge facing Boothbay. Gardiner, with 594 students, is the sixth largest school in the Class B North division.

Besides being the third smallest school in Class B North, Boothbay is also one of the most inexperienced teams. Boothbay’s starting line-up had no seniors, three juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen.

Jordan believed her team held up well all season playing tough, experienced foes.

‘Although this was a disappointing loss for us, it was a game that helps prepare us for next season,” Jordan said.

Jordan believes the season’s tough competition gave her entire squad significant playing time in developing their skills.

“With only 15 girls on our squad, everyone had plenty of playing time to earn their varsity letters. They all improved tremendously throughout the season and we are already anxious for next year,” she said.

Following the game, all 15 Boothbay players were awarded with medals recognizing them as members of the school’s first varsity lacrosse team.