Maine lacrosse All-Americans honored; Local standouts make up majority

Brunswick junior Aiden Glover, fresh off helping the Dragons win a Class B state title, was named a US Lacrosse All-American last week, one of many from Forecaster Country.

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Southern Maine was a hotbed for lacrosse again this spring and that was reflected when the state’s All-American selections were announced.

Nine boys (seven from Forecaster Country) and four girls (one from the area) were selected.

This year’s finest

U.S. Lacrosse describes All-Americans as “Players who exhibit superior skills and techniques and possess exceptional game sense and knowledge. They are among the best players in the United States while also embodying excellent sportsmanship.”

Once again, southern Maine boasted no shortage of that kind of player this spring.

The boys’ All-American team included Brunswick’s Aiden Glover, Cape Elizabeth’s Finn Raymond, Falmouth’s Brendan Hickey and Riley Reed, South Portland’s Cooper Mehlhorn, Waynflete’s Hank Duvall and Miles Lipton and Thornton Academy’s Noah Edborg and C.J. Labreck.

Glover, a junior attack extraordinaire, went off for 74 goals and added 44 assists in 15 games this spring, giving him 175 goals and 114 assists for his career to date. Glover was a team captain, the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a first-team league all-star. He also boasts a 3.7 GPA and has verbally committed to play for reigning Division II national champion Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.

“Aiden has started every varsity game since putting on a Dragons uniform his freshman year and since day one, has been a vital part of the team’s development and productivity,” said longtime Brunswick coach Don Glover, who is also Aiden Glover’s father. “Aiden is the type of student-athlete who exemplifies our motto of ‘We Not Me,’ with his work ethic and dedication to make those around him better every day. Because of his focus and purposeful approach to all aspects of training on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom, we have continued to prosper.”

Mike Sfirri (2003), Brad Bishop (2004), Kit Smith (2007) Max Rosner (2008 and 2009), John Williams (2010), Cam Glover (2014 and 2015) and Christian Glover (2016 and 2017) were Brunswick’s previous All-American selections.

Cape Elizabeth, which moved up to Class A this season and got to the Class A South Final before losing to eventual state champion Thornton Academy, boasted one All-American this spring, extending its streak to 11 years with at least one.

Raymond, a midfielder, had 21 goals and 26 assists and excelled in a leadership role. Raymond was named to the Western Maine Conference all-star first-team.

“Finn has had a tremendous career,” said longtime Cape Elizabeth coach Ben Raymond, Finn Raymond’s father. “Finn meant so much to our team this season. He was our leader on and off the field. He helped set the tone in practices and in games. He led by example and motivated his teammates by working hard, not through talk but through his actions on and his commitment off the field. Over his career at Cape, he didn’t miss a single lacrosse event, practice, game, team dinner, anything. I have been lucky enough to coach Finn for his entire life and have been lucky to see him grow into such an outstanding young man. His leadership this year has been key to our recent success. On top of everything else, Finn has handled the responsibility and added pressure of being ‘Coach Raymond’s son.’ The expectation for him every time he steps on the field, no matter what the lacrosse setting, is different for him because of who he is.”

Cape Elizabeth has a litany of All-Americans to its credit with nearly three decades’ worth of honorees.

The Capers’ first All-American was Chris Carlisle in 1989. Since then, Ethan Sanford (1990), Troy Graham (1991), Jason McGeachey (1993), Sean Brady and Mike Mullen (1994), Ned Struzziero and Matt Williams (1995), Struzziero and Brendan Bigos (1996), Zach Herbert (1997 and 1998), Rorke Greene (1999), Andrew Braziel and Nick Krunkkala (2000), Mike DiFusco and Constantine Scontras (2001), DiFusco, Matt Ranaghan and Dean Scontras (2002), Ranaghan and Alex Weaver (2003), Matt O’Hearn (2004), Bryan Holden and Dan Rautenberg (2005), Zach Belden and Mike Holden (2008), Holden (2009), Ben Brewster and Tommy Foden (2010), Jack Roos (2011), Timmy Lavallee (2012), Alex Bornick and Adam Haversat (2013), Tom Feenstra and Griffin Thoreck (2014), Griffin Thoreck (2015), Alex Narvaez, R.J. Sarka, Owen Thoreck (2016) and Ben Ekedahl, Griffin Thoreck and Owen Thoreck (2017) have all been honored.

Falmouth lost to Thornton Academy in a memorable Class A state final and had two players chosen All-American this spring.

Hickey was the only repeat selection. The defensive stalwart collected 64 ground balls, forced 16 turnovers, scored twice and assisted on three goals. Hickey made the Southwestern Maine Activities Association all-star first-team. He’ll play at Merrimack next year.

“Brendan is undoubtedly the best defender in the state,” said Falmouth coach Dave Barton. “For almost his entire high school career, he’s been tasked with covering the opposition’s top attackman, and he’s done it with tremendous success. It’s been a true luxury to be able to stick him on some truly talented players around this state, players who are capable of dropping 8-10 points a night, and having Brendan essentially take them off the stat sheet. This year, he was one of the major reasons we were able to push transition from defense to offense. I have no doubt Brendan will have a terrific college career.”

Reed, a junior longstick middie, collected 84 ground balls, caused 20 turnovers, scored four times and assisted on a goal. He was a first-team SMAA all-star and was named the co-SMAA Player of the Year. Reed has verbally committed to Merrimack.

“Riley has an incredible motor and one of the craftiest sticks I’ve ever seen,” Barton said. “He has a very high lacrosse IQ and incredible leadership qualities. He is every coach’s dream. He’s a ‘lead by example’ guy who will do anything for his teammates to help make them better players. The sky is truly the limit for Riley.”

Prior Falmouth All-Americans include Kyle Jordan in 2007, Dan Hanley and Michael Kane in 2010, Mike Ryan, Mitch Tapley and Nick Bachman in 2011, Ryan, Tapley and Willy Sipperly in 2012, I.V Stucker and Charlie Fay in 2013, Stucker in 2014, Bryce Kuhn in 2015, Jack Scribner in 2016 and 2017 and Hickey in 2017.

South Portland got to the Class A South semifinals this season, losing to Thornton Academy and Mehlhorn, who plays attack, became the program’s fifth All-American after scoring 35 goals, assisting on 27 others and scooping up 46 ground balls. He was named to the SMAA first-team.

“Cooper was voted captain this year by his teammates as a junior, which is very rare for our program,” said Red Riots coach Tom Fiorini. “It was the right choice. He did a great job with the maturity of a senior. He drew the best pole of every team with quick doubles and very early slides. Despite that, he still was the field general. He led the team in goals. Cooper spends a lot of time helping the younger guys on team get better and understand our concepts. He is such a great asset. His knowledge of the game is better than most adults’.”

Eugene Arsenault (2007), Duncan Preston (2014), T-Moe Hellier (2015) and Jack Fiorini (2016) were the other previous South Portland All-Americans.

Waynflete soared to prominence this spring, winning the inaugural Class C state championship, the program’s first title at any level since 1997. The Flyers were led by Duvall and Lipton, who were truly unstoppable at times.

Duvall, who plays attack, scored 54 goals and added 29 assists. Fourteen of his goals came during the Flyers’ playoff run, including seven in the state game. Duvall, a four-year starter who was named to the WMC all-star first-team, plans to play lacrosse at Union College, in Schenectady, New York.

“Each year, Hank has returned as an improved player and better leader,” said Waynflete first-year coach Parker Repko. “All that work he put in as an underclassman, both during the season and during the offseason, paid off in his final year. His stats are a testament to that work and he ended his high school lacrosse career by both winning a state championship and by setting a individual goal-scoring record in a state championship game. If you were to ask him which one mattered more, he would, without a doubt, say that winning the state championship was more important. He has always put the team first. He balances his leadership style between leading by example and leading with his voice. Every player looks to him to set the tone with his high-energy play and they listen to him when he brings the team together for a huddle in practices and in games. He had a positive and direct impact on everything we accomplished this season. The Waynflete team will miss him next year but he’ll be remembered for helping to make this season one for the record books.”

Lipton, a middie, was a prolific scorer as well for the Flyers, tickling the twine 51 times (including 15 goals in the playoffs). He also assisted on 15 goals. Lipton, a WMC first-team all-star, has verbally committed to playing at Boston University.

“Miles has been a force to be reckoned with since he put on a Waynflete jersey,” Repko said. “From the start of this season, I knew that he would be the player that filled any role we needed him to fill. Often times, players are evaluated by their goals and assists, however, it’s Miles’ ability to do everything on the field that demonstrates his willingness to be a team player. In tight games, he’s the one that clears the ball, sometimes the entire length of the field. We’re confident that he can defend as a midfielder and win a 50-50 groundball off a faceoff. He’s shown the rest of the team that he’s all-in when it comes to giving his teammates the best possible chance to win a game. No matter what the cost. When I tell players that they need to sacrifice their body on a ground ball, I point to Miles as an example. When I tell players that they need to hustle on the ride, I point to Miles as an example. When I tell players that they need to dodge at full speed, I point to Miles as an example. His example inspired other players to play at his level and it helped this team win a state championship.”

Christopher Burke (2012) was Waynflete’s lone prior All-American.

Thornton Academy reached the Promised Land this spring, proving itself to be the state’s premier team, regardless of class, going 15-0 and dominating the opposition nearly every time out before capping the season with a 14-12 victory over Falmouth in the Class A state final. Two Golden Trojans were named to the All-American team.

Edborg, a senior attack, scored 58 goals and had 17 assists this spring, one year after posting 59 goals and 27 assists. He, along with Falmouth’s Reed, was named SMAA Co-Player of the Year.

“Noah has a great shot and really quick speed,” said Thornton Academy coach Ryan Hersey. “This year, he always drew team’s best defenders and was still able to put up similar stats. He also is one of the best riding attackmen in the state.”

Labreck, a middie, was arguably the state’s most dynamic player, equally adept at creating his own shot and finishing feeds from teammates. A junior attack, Labreck had six goals in the Golden Trojans’ state game victory over Falmouth. He made the SMAA first-team.

“I feel like (C.J.) really grew up this year,” Hersey said. “He is nearly impossible to guard 1-on-1 and he draws slides quickly. He was then able to either beat them if they were chasing his stick, or dish it off for the assists.”

Dan St. Ours (2001) was Thornton Academy’s lone previous All-American.

Nine additional boys’ players from Maine qualified for the US Lacrosse All-Academic team.

That list featured Brunswick’s Max Gramins, Cheverus’ Finn Cawley (who also was given the Bob Scott Award for service to his team, school and community), Falmouth’s Henry Farnham, Yarmouth’s Michael Guertler, Edward Little’s Spencer Frahn, Messalonskee’s Alden Balboni, Thornton Academy’s Chandler Bilodeau and Wyatt LeBlanc and York’s Tommy McCarthy.

Windham’s Peter Small was named Maine US Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

Four tops

On the girls’ side, Kennebunk’s Hallie Schwartzman, Massabesic’s Madison Drain and Morgan Pike and Yarmouth’s Eva Then were named All-American.

Schwartzman, a four-year standout in the midfield, who led the Rams to their first two state championships and who played with her older sister, Kyra (now at Wheaton College), and her younger sister, Lily, scored 44 goals and had 14 assists this season. She had 126 career points, collected 40 ground balls, won 37 draw controls and caused 18 turnovers. Schwartzman was named to the SMAA all-star team and the SMAA All-Academic team. Schwartzman will play lacrosse (and soccer) at Colby College.

“Hallie is the player that everyone would love to coach,” said longtime Rams coach Annie Barker. “She understands the game completely and can coach her fellow teammates while playing. Hallie leads wherever she goes. She excels not only on the playing field but in the classroom as well, being the valedictorian this year. Hallie has great field sense and worked everyday to get her game to the next level. Hallie is a game-changer with her ground ball wins, draw controls and 1-v-1’s to goal, as well as knowing how to draw shooting space.”

Previous Kennebunk All-Americans included Kaitlyn Barker (2002 and 2003), Dana Spencer (2002, honorable mention), Stephanie Hearn (2003, honorable mention), Jamie Sellers (2004), Jessica Merrill (2004, honorable mention, and 2005, honorable mention), Brooke Kravetz (2007), Mary DeFanti (2007, honorable mention), Jameson Spang (2008, honorable mention, and 2009), Camille Auger (2010, honorable mention), Taylor Crowley (2011, honorable mention), Olivia Sandford (2015, honorable mention) and Jenny Bush (2015 and 2016).

Massabesic, the 2017 Class A champion, got back to the state final this spring, but lost to Falmouth. Two Mustangs were honored for their play, however.

Drain, a midfielder, scored 36 goals and had 37 assists. She also won 52 draw controls, collected 51 ground balls and intercepted 11 passes. She was named to the SMAA all-star team.

“Madi set the tempo of the team,” said Massabesic coach Brooks Bowen. “She provide multiple opportunities for us as is evident in her stats. She was always the competitor.”

Pike was a prolific scorer, finishing with 49 goals, 48 assists and 31 ground balls. Pike, a midfielder, made the SMAA all-star team and qualified for the SMAA All-Academic team. She will play at Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts, next year.

“Morgan’s skill and accuracy draws a crowd,” Bowen said. “What most overlook, is her ability to thread the ball through tight passing windows forcing opponents to defend everyone.”

Drain and Pike are Massabesic’s first All-Americans.

Last, but far from least was Then, a midfielder, who helped Yarmouth to its fifth straight state final, reaching the 100-career goal threshold in an overtime loss to Cape Elizabeth in the Class B state final. Then, a WMC all-star and WMC All-Academic team qualifier, plans to play at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology next year.

“Eva is a quiet but determined player,” said longtime Clippers coach Dorothy Holt. “She leads by example in coming to play every day and giving 110 percent whether it be a game or practice. It is a team effort with Eva, who was supported by an amazing cast of teammates and always crediting them for her success. I am incredibly proud of what she has accomplished this season both on and off the field and look forward to watching her play at MIT.”

The girls’ Academic All-American team included Pike, Schwartzman and Then, along with Hyde’s Merrill Truluck, Kennebunk’s Mia Murray, Lake Region’s Lauren Jakobs and St. Dom’s’ Caroline Gastonguay.