OAKLAND — After defeating Mount Ararat for the first time in program history last week, the Camden Hills varsity boys lacrosse team hoped to achieve the same feat on the road Tuesday, May 4 against Messalonskee in Oakland. 

Instead, the undefeated Windjammers found itself suffering its first loss of the season 10-3 at the hands of the undefeated Eagles.  

With the loss, Camden Hills’ record drops to 4-1. Messalonskee, meanwhile, improved its standing to 6-0. 

“I absolutely love playing teams like Messalonskee because they are one of the great teams that challenges us, always brings their A game, and shows us what we can improve on for a potential playoff run,” said Camden Hills head coach Harrison Rogers. “We are hoping to have a chance to see them again in the playoffs.” 

Entering the contest, Messalonskee had tallied 89 goals and only allowed 11 through five contests. Camden Hills, meanwhile, had scored 67 goals and allowed 22 through four games. 

Powering the Windjammers offensively was Levi Guay (two goals, assist), Jackson Fitch (goal, four ground balls) and Charlie Griebel (assist, two ground balls). 

Defensively, the Windjammers were captained by Elias Libby and Rory Carolson, who recorded four ground balls each. 

Camden Powell worked the goalie net for Camden Hills and recorded 12 saves on 22 shots, three ground balls and caused one turnover. 

Messalonskee was powered by Brady Brunelle (four goals), Bryce Crowell (three goals, assist), Colby Taylor (goal, assist), Luke Buck (goal), Will Durkee (goal, assist) and Rhys Bridges (assist). 

Ian McCurdy tallied nine saves in the goalie net for the hosts on 12 shots. 

Messalonskee dominated the faceoff area winning 13 of 15 faceoffs, awarding Messalonskee more possession time throughout the game.

Camden Hills finished the game with 26 ground balls, but Messalonskee fought to win more ground balls in the game.

Following the opening two quarters, Messalonskee held 4-0 and 6-0 advantages, respectively, shutting out the Camden Hills offense in the opening half. 

Messalonskee was up 4 to 0 at the end of the first and won the 2nd quarter 2 to 0. They shut down Camden’s offense in the first half.

“We knew we were in a battle with one of the best teams in Central Maine,” said Rogers. “We had never beaten Messalonskee and we knew they would be a tough matchup. Coach Tom Sheridan always has his team ready to play us with sound team defense, smart ball possession, and pushing the attack when they have a break.” 

Camden Hills finally found itself on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a goal by Guay. Camden Hills scored twice more in the fourth courtesy Guay and Fitch.

Messalonskee scored a trio of goals in the third and one in the fourth. 

Speaking on the Camden Hills offense, Rogers noted against dominate teams like Messalonskee you will not be afforded easy goals and need to work for those quality chances. 

“We were just forcing the ball too much today instead of waiting for our matchups,” he conceded. 

Looking at the defensive side of the game, Rogers said the Eagles had its defense ready with the first slide and noted the Windjammers did not move the ball fast enough to flip the fields to attack the opposite side where the Eagles did not have a slide. 

“Our midfielders and attackman did a great job being a threat and drawing the first slide, but they then tried to do too much themselves,” said Rogers. “We just didn’t have that trust in our teammates today and belief that when one of our guys initiates the offense, we can then get the ball moving to find the scoring threats on the weak side.” 

Griebel, for the Windjammers, recorded an outstanding game in the defensive end, clearing game and being the leader on the offensive end for Camden Hills, according to Rogers. 

“Charlie had the best all around game for us offensively and he was a big reason why we solved Messalonskee’s defense in the second half three times,” he said. 

The defense of Libby, Carlson, Owen Cooper, William Gardner, Chris Cammelieri and George Wilt had a tough matchup with Messalonskee’s offense all day long, observed Rogers. 

“They limited Messalonskee to 6 goals in the last three quarters after a rough first quarter where Messalonskee had four quick goals,” he said. 

Powell had his best game of the season in the goalie net, Rogers said, with 12 big saves on Messalonskee.

“He was vital in the clearing game and was that leader in goal all day long,” said Rogers. 

The Windjammers were slated to travel Wednesday, May 6 to Newcastle for a contest against Lincoln Academy. That contest has been postponed to a to be determined date. 

Camden Hills will now wait until Tuesday, May 11 for its next contest, a home affair with Cony at 4 p.m.