ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills girls lacrosse team opened the season Thursday, hosting Gardiner at Don Palmer Field for an early afternoon match up in bright sunny, but cold, windy conditions.

The Windjammers jumped out to a quick lead and played a strong first half before the Tigers fought their way back in the second half for the 8-6 win.

Ally Day and Brooke Curtis had three goals each to pace Gardiner, while Bryce Smith and Claire Crocker added a goal each. Nickyia Lovely had two assists and Abby Dunn added one.

For Camden Hills, Kiera Haining and Adrianna Goodale had two goals each while Emma Brownawell and Addie Drinkwater had one each. Adrianna Goodale, Jess Goodale and Drinkwater all had one assist each.

Madison Cutler was in goal for the Tigers to get the win while Brittany Winslow was in goal for the Windjammers in the loss. No keeper stats were kept by either team.

Camden Hills falls to 0-1 while Gardiner goes to 1-0. The Windjammers will travel to Lincoln Academy Tuesday, April 29 for their next game. Gardiner will travel to Oceanside the same day, with a 4 p.m. start.

Click here for a photo gallery from the Gardiner at Camden Hills game

Following are the varsity team members from this years Camden Hills girls Lacrosse team: (seniors) Lea Smith, attack, Addie Drinkwater, attack, Kiera Haining, attack, Zoe Grant, attack, Nikki Young, defense, and Brittany Winslow, goalie; (juniors) Maddy Raynor, defense, Allie Dobbins, defense, Hannah Wincklhofer, midfield, Kaia Allwine, midfield, Marin Anderson, attack, Sara Belle Fischer, midfield, and Macy Buck, midfield; (sophomores) Katherine Orne, defense, Willow Grinnell, attack/midfield, and Adrianna Goodale, defense/midfield; and (freshmen) Emma Brownawell, defense/midfield, and Jesse Goodale, defense/midfield,

The junior varsity players are Bryn Anderson, Emily Bowen, Emily Blackwell, Izzy Gutheinz, Sara Schafer, Ginny Laurita, Ellie Spizzuoco and Katie Morse.

Defense and conditioning will be topics of concentration for the Windjammers this season.

“The team goal this year is to focus on thinking defensively,” said head coach Amy Gertner. “Due to our numbers, we will have a lot of cross-over players, as well as players trying out new positions. I'm excited to have everyone test their skills and knowledge of the game in a new position. The theme for this year is going to be defensive strategy, starting at the top of the field. I want my attackers to be thinking ball protection, and have smart field awareness. Also due to numbers we will be focusing on increasing stamina, exploding from the start and keeping up a positive momentum.”

Gertner knows the competition and while Gardiner, Morse and Freeport are all schools that always seem to have solid teams, Gertner said she is excited to play Oceanside in a varsity game this season. The two teams will match up Monday, May 5 at Oceanside West on Sam Pendleton Field.

Camden Hills has a lot of very talented girls this year, according to Gertner.  

“A young and athletic team is always something to be excited about,” said Gertner. “Many of our girls are strong ball handlers, have good field sense and positive attitudes. I expect the team to work well with each other this year, and find success through trust and supporting each other.” 

Top players to watch for this season are high-scoring senior attacker Lea Smith, Addie Drinkwater and Kiera Haining. Senior goalie Brittany Winslow has years of experience and communicates well to everyone on the field, said Gertner.

“I’m also really excited to have Hannah Wincklhofer back from a recent knee injury, playing strong in the mid-field,” said Gertner. “Maddy Raynor, Emma Brownawell (freshman) and Adrianna Goodale I'm expecting solid defense from this year. Very happy to have Jesse Goodale (freshman) on board this year.  She has many years experience at the youth level and a great drive. Katherine Orne and Willow Grinnell will lead the sophomores, providing a lot of strength, speed and understanding of the game. Kaia Allwine and Allie Dobbins bring up the juniors with determination and will be forces midfield.”

Ron Hawkes can be reached at sports@penbaypilot.com