The Boothbay Region High School lacrosse team's roster has a lot of familiar faces as 15 of 17 players from last year’s return for another season. This is Boothbay's second year as a varsity program and the experienced group is looking to improve upon last year's Class B North quarterfinal result.

The Seahawks got off to a slow start April 25, losing 17-8 to Morse High School in Bath in the season’s first game. The Shipbuilders scored five first half goals before Boothbay tallied its first. The Seahawks rallied to come within two goals in the first half, but Morse controlled the majority of draws throughout the contest, which slowed Boothbay's attack, resulting in the loss.

Boothbay defender Sydney Meader was the match's leading scorer with six goals. Other Seahawk scorers were Jackie McLoon and Kate Friant with one each. McLoon also had an assist as did Summer Chamberlin.

In 2016, the Seahawks were  a first-year varsity program. Boothbay finished the regular season 10-2 and fifth place in the Class B North Heal Point standings. Boothbay lost to No. 4 Gardiner in the tournament quarterfinals. As season two begins, Seahawk goalie Page Brown and attacker Alexis Davison are optimistic about their team building on last year's success.

“The team grew together and we’re  anxious to see how much better we can be this season,” Davison said.

Brown believes this year’s roster has the potential to be a top team.

“We had a good season last year and we have so many players returning it's exciting thinking about how good we can be,” Brown said. “Many of us learned the game playing Y-lacrosse so we may not have much varsity experience, but we know how the game’s played.”

The major difference between last year's squad and this season's is speed. The Seahawks have a faster roster which pleases Coach Donna Jordan. The team displayed its speed during a pre-season tournament in Augusta.

Boothbay played three halves in the Maine Lacrosse Challenge hosted by Cony High School. Boothbay played against York, Cony and Lewiston. Defending Class B champion York defeated Boothbay by three goals. The Seahawks defeated Cony and lost a close match to Lewiston.

“We performed well against competition a level above our speed and skill,” Jordan said. “What I've seen so far is our team speed has improved. We have some new players who have contributed to our team being faster.”

Two of the newcomers are freshmen. Hali Goodwin and Chloe Arsenault have made their mark on the lacrosse field this spring, according to Jordan. As has junior Summer Chamberlin who played on the team two years ago when it was a club sport.

“She's a strong player who I expect will play lot as a midfielder,” she said.

As the season progresses, Jordan wants a more aggressive approach toward midfield play. “This will set up more double teams and challenges for our defense. It creates turnovers and will set up our zone play,” Jordan said.

Weather permitting, Boothbay (0-1) will play its first home contest April 27 against Erskine Academy (1-0).