Lewiston’s Jayden Wilson controls the balls while Cony’sIan Bowers gives chase during Wednesday’s lacrosse game at Garcelon Field at Bates College in Lewiston. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
LEWISTON — Coming off a big win over Bangor in their opening game, the Lewiston Blue Devils picked up right where they left off, scoring 20 goals en route to a 20-4 win over Cony.
The Blue Devils scored nine goals in the first half but exploded in the third quarter for eight more to bury the Rams. Lewiston coach Ben Fournier had his guys coming out swinging in the second half.
“Just play our game, not let up,” Fournier said. “We didn’t want to give Cony a chance to come back and take over the game, so we started off with the mentality that it was 0-0 and played a brand new game in the second half.”
“We talked about the defense, what they should be doing and how well they were playing,” Jayden Wilson said. “We all just got each other fired up.”
Wilson scored the first goal of the game for Lewiston, cutting from right to left and beating Cony goalkeeper Cam Gallant, something he would go on to do seven more times in the game.
“We have been moving the ball and it’s been clicking,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of new players but they’re all coming together pretty well.”
Cony’s Ian Bowers scored to tie the game at one just two minutes later, but that would be as close as the Rams would come. Lewiston scored five goals in the first quarter and four in the second, carrying a 9-3 lead into half.
In the third, Lewiston netted back-to-back goals from the sticks of Brayden Charest and Jaheim Whiting just two minutes in. Wilson scored the next two for the Blue Devils, followed by a goal from Sam Payne.
“Coach was telling us to keep pushing it, keep playing hard and play in our system, doing what we have been doing all game,” Payne said. “Our chemistry helps for sure because all of us have been playing together. Last year’s success helped.”
Payne and Wilson were apart of the first goal of the fourth quarter as both stood behind the Cony net with their backs turned, hiding the whereabouts of the ball from the Rams. As they broke apart, one running to each side of the net, Payne passed the ball out to Charest who beat the keeper to make it 18-4.
“That was planned coming out of the quarter,” Fournier said. “My special teams coach drew it up. It’s a play we have done in the past but haven’t had a chance to try this year but we figured it was a good opportunity to try it out and see what happens and it worked out.”
Wilson scored next on a man-up situation to make it 19-4. The Blue Devils went 4-7 on power play opportunities on the day.
For Cony coach Chad Foye, the game was a learning experience for his young team.
“For some of these guys it’s their second game ever,” Foye said. “I wanted to see a little more effort, I don’t think we competed enough for ground balls. Getting some experience and developing some cohesiveness.”
Logan Michaud scored Lewiston’s final goal with just over a minute to play, one of four goals the sophomore netted on the day.
While the Blue Devils were able to score 20 goals, defense was on the forefront of Fournier’s mind after the game.
“Defensively we played really well,” Fournier said. “We had our heads up and were catching a lot of the balls. Our transition game was good despite being in the gym for most of the season, we’ve only been on the field a couple times.”
Lewiston’s Garret Poussard fires the ball at the goal during Wednesday’s lacrosse game at Garcelon Field at Bates College in Lewiston. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)Cony’s Ian Bowers and Lewiston’s Tyler Marcoux double back for a loose ball during Wednesday’s lacrosse game at Garcelon Field at Bates College in Lewiston. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
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