ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills varsity boys lacrosse team opened its season Friday, April 14 with a win over Lincoln Academy. The victory was a great way to start to start the year for a team that lost 14 seniors from last year’s 11-win campaign, including 75 percent of the team’s goal scorers. 

In fact, after losing so many seniors, the Windjammers are a young squad this year with zero seniors on the roster. 

We lost 14 seniors last year from our 11-win 3 loss season, where we lost to the eventual state champion Brunswick 15 to 10 in the quarterfinals in playoffs.

This year’s team will be led by nine returning juniors in Quinn Riordan, Emmet Marshall, Owen Hotchkin, Owen McManus, Cameron Lawrence, Eben Weislogel, Billy Kurzius, Ethan Butler, and Max Ergas. Juniors Avery Luft and Dylan Lowe are new to the team and will help contribute on the defensive side of the field.

Returning offensive leaders this year for the Windjammers are midfielder Marshall (15 goals, 18 assists in 2022), sophomore attackman Finlay Fitch (19 goals, six assists in 2022), midfielder Riordan (five goals, seven assists), and McManus (three goals, three assists).

Defensively returning long stick midfielder/defenseman Hotchkin (20 groundballs last year) will help lead the defense that lost three all-conference defenders last year. Helping anchor the defense will be sophomore Elias Hood, Butler, Lowe, and sophomore Theo Doehla. Freshman goaltender Jacob Talbot will be the last line of defense for the team this year replacing graduated all-conference goaltender Camden Powell from last season.

Returning sophomore midfielders River Pinkham, Bennett Gardner, Reid Chester, Landon Marquis, and Arthur Hinsch will be key parts to the team for the Windjammers.

Camden Hills also has 10 new freshman that will make key contributions on this young team.

Incoming freshmen include attackmen Barlow Marshall and Blake Christie. Freshmen midfielders Mac Pierce, Quinn Hoppin, Reilly Turner-Watts, Luka Wienges, and Bridger Witbeck will help Camden Hills in both the offensive and defensive zones.

Finally, freshmen defensemen Henry Pixley and Liam Anderson will help Talbot protect his net.

“This will be an exciting year for Camden Hills lacrosse with this young team getting the opportunities to grow on the field and make their mark on Maine lacrosse over the next two seasons,” said head coach Harrison Rogers.

Camden Hills 9, Lincoln Academy 6

Camden Hills netted two goals in the first quarter, one in each the second and third quarters, and five in the fourth. 

Lincoln Academy, meanwhile, scored three in the first, two in the second and one in the third. 

Scoring for Camden Hills were Owen McManus (two), Finlay Fitch (two), Emmet Marshall (three) and Owen Hotchkin (two). 

Camden Hills assists were recorded by McManus (three), Fitch (one), Hotchkin (one) and Bennett Gardiner (one). 

Scoring for Lincoln Academy were Nate Jiffe (two), Issac Rich, Jacob Campbell, Gavin Albert and Jack Castonia.

Sean Cushing tallied 14 saves in the net for Lincoln Academy while Jacob Talbot recorded six saves for Camden Hills.