OAKLAND and ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills varsity boys lacrosse team has played in two games thus far this season and have posted one win and one loss. 

Regular season action got underway for Camden Hills on Friday, April 12 in a road showdown with Messalonskee, while the Windjammers played its home opener Wednesday, April 17 against Erskine Academy. 

The Windjammers boast a young roster this season after graduating a dozen players from the 2018 campaign. 

Next on the schedule for Camden Hills is a road game against Mount Blue on Wednesday, April 24 at 4 p.m.

Messalonskee 7, Camden Hills 5

In the season opener, the Camden Hills Windjammers fell short in a road contest Friday, April 12 against Messalonskee. 

Pacing the offense for the Windjammers were Kieran McGrath (two goals), Sylvan Eichenlaub (goal, two assists), Charlie Griebel (goal, assist), Jackson Fitch (assist), Noah Quesnel (goal). 

In goal for the Windjammers was James Lynch, who recorded 10 saves. 

Griebel and Zach Strout tallied seven ground balls each for Camden Hills. 

“Charlie Griebel and Zach Strout were ground ball machines showing heart to win the majority of the 50-50 balls,” said Camden Hills head coach Harrison Rogers. 

In the season opener, only four upperclassmen saw playing time as the game was dominated by 15 underclassmen from Camden Hills. 

“The future looks bright with such a young team that competed against a really good program in Messalonskee for four quarters,” said Rogers. “Everyone gave everything they had and almost had a chance to beat a team that defeated us twice last year by almost 10 goals each game.”

Camden Hills 8, Erskine Academy 7

Camden Hills collected its first win of the season April 17 when the Windjammers slipped past Erskine Academy in Rockport. 

The hosts, who improved their season record to 1-1, collected three goals in each the first and fourth quarters, plus one goal in each the second and third. 

Erskine tallied a pair of goals in the second quarter, one in the third and four in the fourth. 

Leading the offense for Camden Hills were Bryce Tyler (four goals, assist), Levi Guay (goal, assist), McGrath (goal), Eichenlaub (assist) and Griebel (two goals, assist).

“Charlie Griebel and Bryce Tyler came up big for us today on the offensive end, on 50-50 ground balls, in the clearing game, and with running our offense,” said Camden Hills head coach Harrison Rogers. “Both Bryce and Charlie are expert dodgers with great vision and they create opportunities everywhere on the field. Both Bryce and Charlie finished the game with 12 shots each for the game.”

Lynch recorded 10 saves in the goalie net for Camden Hills. 

“Jimmy Lynch again had a strong game for us leading our young defense with 10 saves and five huge saves in the fourth quarter,” said Rogers. 

Tallying ground balls for the Windjammers were Griebel (nine), Owen Cooper (six), Guay (six), Tyler (six). 

“Our offense played some of the best lacrosse I have seen them play in the last three years,” Rogers remarked. “We had 42 shots in the game and I am looking forward to seeing our guys finish more of our chances in the upcoming games.”

Meanwhile, Rogers credited Owen Cooper, Taylor Wesbrock, Strout, Andrew Levitt, and Christopher Cammelieri for playing strong on defense. 

“They are using this early game experience to get better as individual and team defenders,” Rogers said. 

In the Wednesday contest, the Windjammers had 11 underclassmen see action on the field. 

“I am extremely proud of how our young team has played to start this season,” Rogers stated. “Today was a battle to the last second of the game and this win was a good learning experience for our young team.”

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.