Girls lacrosse: Oxford Hills overpowers short-handed Edward Little

PARIS — Such a resounding victory allowed the entire Oxford Hills squad to see action in Tuesday’s girls lacrosse game, when the Vikings dominated the first half and rolled to a 20-3 victory over short-handed Edward Little.

Attackers Mallory Kennison and Kelsey Bennett each turned in a hat trick in the opening half, helping Oxford Hills quickly build a 14-2 lead.

“I thought this gave us an opportunity to really work as a team — like set up our plays and run things we haven’t got to before,” Bennett, a senior, said. “It also gave some of the (swing players) opportunities to get goals and (allow) people who don’t normally play to go in and get to experience varsity.”

Oxford Hills (2-2), which includes players from St. Dominic Academy, punched in another six goals in the second half.

Vikings coach Jenna Durgin was proud of the team’s starters for helping players who don’t normally see a lot of action score in the second half.

“I just told the girls that I love that they were working for each other,” the first-year coach said. “I am happy that … (our starters) got the opportunity to look for them, and they wanted other girls to score. It wasn’t selfish. It was a good team effort.”

Along with Bennett’s and Kennison’s three goals each, Oxford Hills had 14 players score one goal in Tuesday’s game.

Edward Little’s midfielders Izzy Hayes and Stella Smith each scored an unassisted goal in the first half and Hayes added second goal on a Smith assist in the second half. Due to injuries and other reasons, the Red Eddies (1-1) had just enough players to field a team, and there was no respite for them.

“They hustled and fought to the end. That is all we can ask for,” Edward Little coach Shaun McKinnon said. “We had no subs today. We had 12 players. They all worked hard to support one another, and as a coach that is all I can ask for.

“We played a man down for probably 10, 15 minutes of the game and, you know, it was tough. Oxford Hills is a great team and I am just proud of my girls for fighting.”

Oxford Hills’ Saige Winslow’s behind-the-back goal was an eye-opener in the first half. She also was credited with three assists.

She said she is always trying to perfect that move.

“Probably millions of times. I do — a lot — by myself,” she said. “It was actually an ‘around-the-world.’ I like to just pull that out sometimes out of nowhere.”