ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills boys varsity lacrosse season came to a close June 11, and it was a remarkable season for the program and especially for its senior class. 

After getting past a rough freshman year that saw Camden Hills finish with a 6-8 record, the Windjammers lost their sophomore season due to COVID-19. They rebounded nicely in 2021 by posting a 10-3 record before finishing this season with an 11-3 record. 

Getting past the scrapped sophomore season, that’s a 21-6 record with the losses coming twice at the hands of Messalonskee and Brunswick plus a pair of nail-biters in 2021 to Greely (by two goals in the playoffs) and to eventual-champion Waynflete (by one goal in double overtime).

The team, this year, was led by senior captains Rory Carlson (defenseman), Owen Cooper (defenseman), Jackson Fitch (midfielder), and Willy Doehla (attackman). 

Last year’s lone returning 1^st Team All-KVAC long stick midfielder, Elias Libby, dominated the midfield area again. Seniors Jakob Johnson (attack), Logan Odone (faceoff/defensive midfielder), Eben Fagonde (midfielder), Chris Cammelieri, and Cam Powell (goalie) were vital parts of the team this year,  according to head coach Harrison Rogers.

Seniors Cole Freeman (goalie), Alex Kurzius (midfield), Vanya Perevalov (midfield), and Oliver Dietter (defense) were also key players throughout the year.

Seniors’ career stats (excluding sophomore season that was canceled due to COVID)

Willy Doehla (3 varsity seasons, 35 games played): 90 career goals; 40 career assists; 130 career points; 41 career ground balls

Jackson Fitch (3 varsity seasons, 39 games played): 76 career goals; 40 career assists; 116 career points; 120 career ground balls

Jakob Johnson (2 varsity seasons, 26 games played): 46 career goals; 19 career assists; 65 career points; 65 career ground balls

Elias Libby (2 varsity seasons, 25 games played): 203 career ground balls

Rory Carlson (3 varsity seasons, 40 games played): 108 career ground balls

Owen Cooper (3 varsity seasons, 39 games played): 75 career ground balls

Playoff game recaps

June 9: Camden Hills 19, Morse 4 

The Camden Hills varsity boys lacrosse team bested Morse in the opening round of the playoffs Thursday, June 9.

The host Windjammers maintained quarterly advantages of 7-1, 13-3 and 17-3. 

Stats for Camden Hills: Finlay Fitch (goal, assist), Jackson Fitch (six goals), Jakob Johnson (two goals, assist), Emmet Marshall (three goals, assist), Quinn Riordan (assist), Camden Powell (assist), Willy Doehla (five goals, three assists), Eben Fagonde (assist), Owen McManus (goal) and Roan Aldridge-Peacock (goal). 

In the goalie net, Powell allowed four goals while tallying 13 saves. 

June 11: Brunswick 15, Camden Hills 10 

Brunswick held quarterly advantages of 5-0, 9-4 and 12-6. 

Stats for Camden hills: Finlay Fitch (goal, assist), Jackson Fitch (two goals, assist), Emmet Marshall (goal, assist), Logan Odone (goal), Willy Doehla (four goals) and Elias Libby (goal). 

Powell tallied 13 saves in the goalie net for the Windjammers. 

“We had to keep our heads up and keep pushing forwards,” Libby said of the game. “Every goal was important in keeping us in it along with keeping our spirits up. We just had to keep moving the ball and being efficient and in the end that's what kept the game so close.”

“Our second game against Brunswick was a battle for sure. Both teams came to play and compete since it was playoffs,” remarked Owen Cooper. “Our guys played until the end and although we lost it was a good game and a good one to end on.”

Comments on the 2022 season

Eben Fagonde:

“The past two seasons of lacrosse have been great. Last year I had a chance to play with seniors Levi Guay and Charlie Griebel who led our team on and off the field. Even with the loss of a very talented senior class we came back stronger this year due to their leadership.

We made it farther in the playoffs and competed with Messo and Brunswick, which are two very strong programs. I want to thank my teammates for making these seasons fun, my family for always supporting me, and I also my coaches.  I hope the Camden Hills Lacrosse program continues to grow throughout the years.”

Rory Carlson:

“Lacrosse and other sports for me have always been about having fun. As a captain and a teammate, I always try to keep things light and enjoyable, but for me I have the most fun competing and battling opponents.

At Camden Hills we have a community of people through numerous sports that also enjoy tough competition. Though 4 years ago we had quite a lousy record, my fellow seniors (freshman at the time) and I were able to practice and play against people who now play at the college level.

The year off due to COVID was a bummer for sure, but when we were able to get on the field last year and play, we were ready to battle. The willingness to compete and put everything out there on the field is what carried us to a successful season. This year we were able to improve our skills by competing against each other. That combined with our love for the grittier aspect of the game is what allowed us to compete with teams like Messalonskee and Brunswick.”

Jackson Fitch:

“I am extremely grateful to everyone who played a part in this season, and our teams 11-3 record this year. What a fun ride to go on one last time with the friends and family I have been playing with for the last 4 years.

It means so much to me that we competed with Brunswick and Messalonskee, and were able to give them a battle rather than a blowout. Playing Brunswick once in regular season and again in playoffs was some of the most fun I’ve had in high school sports. Both times we gave them a game, but unfortunately both times we came up short.

This team has grown exponentially in the past 4 years, I remember that tough loss to Gardiner and having a subpar season my freshman year… The growth this program has seen from then to now is insane.

Last year we had what we thought was the best season [Camden Hills] would ever have, this season I think we topped that, at least record and opponent-wise. But the past two seasons at Camden Hills Lacrosse have been driven by the senior class of 2021, Charlie Griebel, and Levi Guay, building a culture that pushed me and the senior class of 2022 to the success we had this year. Big thanks to our coaches for pushing us, and to my fellow classmates of 2022 for bringing the competitive edge that I think defines Camden Hills lacrosse.”