Stop me if you’ve heard it before, but a girls’ team from Scarborough High School appears to have all the tools necessary to win a state championship.

So far this school year, the Red Storm have gone undefeated in field hockey and won a first-ever title and did the same in girls’ basketball. Now, it’s lacrosse’s turn as a pair of players who captured crowns in October and February, seniors Ellie Morin and Brittany Ross, look to cap their high school careers in unfathomable style.

Scarborough, still stewing over last year’s early playoff ouster, is 3-0 to date and has averaged 17 goals a game. It might be to early to crown the Red Storm, but recent history suggests that another coronation could be right around the corner.

“It’s been a very good start,” said Scarborough coach Marcia Wood. “It’s kind of what I expected with the leaders we have and the underclassmen who have stepped up and filled in. It’s an unselfish team.”

Motivation

Scarborough overcame a 6-6 regular season to win the inaugural Class A championship back in 2006, but since then, the Red Storm, despite solid records, have suffered painful playoff ousters. In 2007, Scarborough lost by a goal at eventual champion Massabesic in the regional final. Each of the past two seasons, Kennebunk played the villain, eliminated the Red Storm in overtime in the 2008 regional final, then downing them, 13-9, in last year’s quarterfinal round.

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That was perhaps the most frustrating of all as it was clear heading into the postseason that Scarborough and Kennebunk were the two best teams in the region, but due to the vagaries of the Heal Points system, they met two rounds earlier than they should have.

“We’re tired of losing,” said senior standout Lindsay Hagerman. “Coming so close every year, it’s finally our year. Last year is really driving us.”

The Red Storm opened 2010 with a 18-6 home win over Sanford. Morin scored six times and Hagerman tickled the twine on five occasions. Scarborough followed with a 17-3 romp at Portland as Hagerman went off for six goals and Morin scored four. Monday, the Red Storm made it three in a row in easy fashion with a 16-3 home triumph over Deering. Morin led the way this time with six goals, while Hagerman added four.

While Hagerman and Morin have scored the majority of goals, Scarborough has several other weapons, including Ross, junior Meghan Quirk and sophomores Kelsey Howard, Laura Przybylowicz and Maggie Smith.

“The younger players are so good,” Hagerman said. “Maggie and Laura are like the me and Ellie of the sophomore class.”

“We’re a transition, fastbreak team,” Wood added. “It’s nice to know if we need (Lindsay and Ellie) to go to goal they can, but we also have other people who can score. Maggie Smith’s been playing very well. I knew she’d do well, but she’s done very well.”

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On defense, seniors Molly Carbin and Jackie Morin and Akashia Gergler have kept the opposition at bay. In goal, senior Marina Sterrer and freshman Meg Krisch are splitting time.

“My defenders, Molly and Akashia, having done really well,” Wood said. “We’re switching off in goal. My freshman has gotten better every game.”

It all adds up to arguably the deepest and most talented team around. Unfortunately, the Red Storm won’t get many opportunities to measure themselves against the elite teams in the state. Scarborough does have a showdown at perennial Eastern B power Yarmouth Saturday and closes the year with a grudge match at Kennebunk, but most games figure to be like the first three, one-sided.

That doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement.

“We need to work on patience and composure and working with the clock in our favor,” Wood said. “It’s hard to keep them motivated with our schedule. We have to work at playing at our level. Yarmouth will be the test.”

In the end, Ellie Morin, Ross and the Red Storm fervently hope to be dancing on the turf at Fitzpatrick Stadium June 19, celebrating the state championship.

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“It’s my turn,” said Hagerman, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of her sister, Lauren, who won a title as a senior. “We’re confident. Not too confident, but confident.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Sidebar Elements


Scarborough senior Brittany Ross hasn’t lost a game this school year, in any sport. She and her girls’ lacrosse teammates hope to do it again this spring and so far are looking very, very good.

Scarborough senior Akashia Gergler is a defensive standout for a powerhouse Red Storm girls’ lacrosse team.


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