Lebanon
“This is the 8-meter line,” began 22nd-year Raiders coach Sara Ecker, in what’s become a familiar starting point for a program that frequently attracts athletes with little lacrosse experience. “And this is the goalie’s crease.”
Judging by Lebanon’s 4-1 start this season and its 14-2 rout of visiting Plymouth on Wednesday, the Raiders have figured out a lot more than just the lines on the grass. What was expected to be a rebuilding season instead has the potential to build on the program’s 46-22 record during the past five years.
Kendra MacDonald had six goals and an assist, Elle Brine had five goals and three assists and Cecilia Webber had a goal and two assists. Izzy Walker and Caroline Wren each had one tally, and Katie Berthasavage, Caroline Wren, Ashlyn Taber and Anna Wolke each had single assists.
Lebanon suffered its lone loss to NHIAA Division III power Derryfield, 21-10, and faces tough upcoming games against Pelham, Kearsarge and Laconia. It seems unlikely the Raiders can reach the division semifinals for the fourth time in as many years, but given their young roster’s success to this point, who knows?
“I didn’t know what to expect, because we have a whole lot of new people who came out,” said MacDonald, whose team graduated 11 seniors after last season and returned only four starters. “But they’re really athletic, and with lacrosse you can have a pretty good team with that.
“When I started playing last year, people were very welcoming and willing to help teach everyone, so you don’t feel stupid asking questions.”
Because of spring vacation and weather postponements, the Raiders had five weeks of practice before their April 22 opener. They built upon the most basic foundation, running repeated laps in the gym while simply cradling the ball in their sticks, then progressing to passing, shooting and positioning.
“Sara starts off our drills very simple and slowly adds on,” MacDonald said. “And she makes sure everyone understands everything before we move on to something else.”
Said Ecker: “There was so much for people to learn this year that (the wait) wasn’t as hard as it would have been with last year’s group. They would have been chomping at the bit last year, but we needed to go through that process this time in order to become a unified group.”
The extra practice time and Ecker’s teaching has allowed her to start two lacrosse novices, senior Katie Laramie and freshman Wolke, on defense, along with veteran Brenna Peterson. Starting goaltender Elizabeth Jones is in her first year in that role, but she was out of town Wednesday, so backup Libby Stone came in and made four saves after only a couple weeks of practice at the position.
“Libby’s a great athlete, and I figured we could at least get her to a place where she’d be comfortable,” Ecker said of a performer who also plays soccer and basketball. “Her willingness to do it really epitomizes the attitude of our 35 kids.”
Three years ago, Lebanon had only 16 girls lacrosse players from seventh through 12th grades, and Ecker was worried about her program’s future. The Raiders dropped down from Division II partially in response to those numbers, but during recent years have seen them swell. Wednesday, a full junior varsity competed against Plymouth after the varsity game.
“I wish I had an answer and could say it’s due to my wonderful coaching, but I don’t know,” Ecker said with a laugh. “I think players like Elle and Kendra have been on other (sports) teams, and so have the leaders we’ve had in the past. People are drawn to them and want to keep playing with them during other seasons.”
MacDonald, a longtime basketball guard, used a seemingly effortless stride to outrun opponents up the sidelines Wednesday, unperturbed by their presence and flailing sticks. She and Brine have taken over the direct-attack role previously occupied by Emily Perryman. With Perryman now a field hockey starter at Rhode Island’s Bryant University, the Raiders diversified their attack.
“It’s nice to get so many people involved, and it’s harder for other teams to play against us, because it’s not about how do you shut down one player but an entire offense,” Ecker said. “That’s been beneficial for us for sure.”
Notes: Plymouth fell to 1-5. … MacDonald plans to continue her athletic career in the fall by playing field hockey at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. The Nor’easters have reached the NCAA Division III tournament’s second round the past two seasons. … Lebanon’s junior varsity is coached by former Raiders Sarah Cram and Sarah Peterson and the town’s junior high team is guided by another, Haley James. … Ecker said hidden credit for the increased number of players goes to Mindy Taber, a Plainfield resident who coached many of the current freshmen at the youth level. … Discussion at the scorer’s table Wednesday at one point veered to how Lebanon boys lacrosse players have twice during recent weeks plucked discarded mouth guards off the grass and popped the leftovers from previous games or practices between their teeth. This was done to satisfy referees’ instance that the players wear one of the devices after they’d forgotten to bring their own.