Vikings down Falcons in lacrosse

RUMFORD -- The competitiveness was evident between Oxford Hills and Mountain Valley in boys' lacrosse. However the atmosphere shifted dramatically in a game on May 14.

Collin Tucker scored six goals, four on power plays as Oxford Hills proceeded to take advantage of every situation in a 17-7 triumph over Mountain Valley.

Oxford Hills (3-4) poured it on offensively with four goals in a 1:13 span in the second period and never looked back. Tucker broke a 4-4 tie with a shot from out front and 18 seconds later Connor Beebe (three goals) converted on an assist by Nick Record (two goals, five assists).

“We settled down on offense,” said Oxford Hills coach Matt Brunson. “We flooded the offensive zone and were looking to get the ball in the island. We carried the ball in on the left and then kicked the ball back out on top."

The Falcons' Nate Buotte had scored a shorthanded goal to tie the score 4-all, three minutes in to the second quarter.

The Vikings utilized a stronger passing attack as defenders Nathan and Scott Nicols and Tyler Morton were not rotating back over.

Tucker flicked a shot past goal past Falcon goalie David Widger (10 saves), to put the Vikings up 9-4 at halftime.

Mountain Valley (one win) had started out on fire, with Travis St. Pierre scoring three goals in the first quarter. The Falcon sniper found success at shooting from out front.

MV assistant coach Mike Chartier commented that the team performance in the first 12 minutes was their best this season. Chartier was filling in for head coach Jeff Gilbert, who had another commitment. The Falcons were hindered by playing without starters Ken Duguay (concussion) and Josh Allen (knee).

The Vikings scored the first three goals of the third quarter. Beebe grabbed the opening tip-off and found the back of the net at 11:55. Record and Beebe each converted on power plays to lead 12-4.

Mountain Valley finally broke through when Jon Petrie scored on a Travis Blanchard assist with 5:06 left in the third quarter. Blanchard scored on a St. Pierre assist. It was Petrie’s first-ever goal and he added a second goal at the buzzer to end the third quarter.