AUGUSTA — The Camden Hills girls lacrosse program traveled Wednesday, May 19 to Augusta to challenge Cony in what turned out to be a nail-biting victory for the visiting Windjammers in the varsity game, and an exciting shutout victory for Camden Hills in the junior varsity game. 

The varsity team will host Bangor for its next contest Saturday, May 22 at noon. 

The junior varsity team will be off until it travels with the varsity squad Monday, May 24 to challenge Erskine Academy. 

Varsity: Camden Hills 9, Cony 8

Leading the offensive charge for Camden Hills in its 9-8 victory were Ruby Cohen (assist), Anna Griebel (goal), Bella Ward (goal), Grace Cody (goal, two assists), Caroline Contento (three goals), Anya Babb-Brott (three goals, assist), Ella Powers (assist). 

Guarding the goalie net for Camden Hills was Maddie Boetsch who recorded seven saves. 

“They pressured us really well in the our defensive half when we got possession, making it really difficult for us to transition the ball,” said Camden Hills head coach Wade Ward of the back-and-forth affair. “Defensively they packed it in causing our girls to have to make on the fly changes to our offense.”

The victory was an all-around team effort and those that needed to step up and make big plays did so, according to Ward. 

“We ended up needing to go deeper in the bench than anticipated and I think those girls stepped up big, along with the extra ordinary effort shown from the girls on the field,” said Ward. “We made the game harder than it had to be and with the addition of some other factors it created a tough environment for the girls to play our game. Going forward we are going to need to work through these difficulties so we don't end up relying on the extraordinary individual efforts all the time.”

The contest showed the Windjammers have a strong mental game, Ward noted. 

“The girls were working really hard and it all goes to building that character and I.Q. that better prepares them as we go deeper into the season,” he commented. “We have had two tightly contested games in a row now and we can benefit greatly from those experiences.” 

Junior Varsity: Camden Hills 3, Cony 0 

The junior varsity Windjammers entered the contest “pumped and ready after watching an intense [varsity] game,” said Ward.

Zola Roberts (two) and Jaden Johnson tallied goals for Camden Hills while McKinley Boetsch recorded four saves in the shutout victory. 

“They put some great clearing combinations together and moved the ball really well,” said Ward. “We saw some great progression with their defensive understanding and their ability to heads up move the ball to the open girl offensively.”