First year Cony High School boys lacrosse coach Andy Haskell was not afraid to had out credit for the Rams' recent three-game win streak, leaving the team with a 3-2 mark and equaling last season's win total with more than a half season to go.

Haskell pointed toward the solid foundation provided by former Cony coaches Deb Castonguay and John Canning.

"I wasn't surprised with the ability of the team," Haskell said. "I thought Deb and John had done a nice job with player development."

Following an opening loss to Messalonskee, the Rams ran three straight including a massive comeback against Mt. Ararat after trailing by four to claim a 5-4 win.

The winning streak ended at Brunswick last week, but the Rams have plenty of confidence heading into today's game against undefeated Lewiston.

"We have a solid core of seniors that are really motivated," Haskell said. "I have confidence in the kids and they have confidence in me."

Lewiston comes into today's game at Buker School Field after scoring 47 goals in five games for a 9.4 goals per game average. The Blue Devil defense has allowed just 19 goals for an average of 3.8 per game.

"Our kids are responding to playing man-to-man defense and putting some intensity on the ball," Haskell said.

"We'll come to play hard for 48 minutes and anything can happen."

• • •

Messalonskee's boys lacrosse team is off to a 3-2 start while working on a tougher man-to-man system that coach Tom Sheridan is hoping will carry the Eagles further in the playoffs this season.

Normally a zone defensive team, the Eagles have traditionally struggled against the stronger southern Maine teams in the tournament when a man-to-man defensive scheme offered a tougher challenge.

"When we needed the man-to-man in the playoffs, we didn't have it because we had played zone all year," Sheridan said. "We have been working on it all season and are starting to bring out our zone during the second half."

The Eagles have also been confronted by a difficult schedule that has seen Messalonskee playing on the road in four of the teams first five games.

"We have been on the road all season," Sheridan said. "The second half of the season, I think we will turn the corner offensively, as well and be a very good team."

In goal, the Eagles are seeing a constant improvement from Chris DelGiudice and Kevin Dawes as the two share time and gain experience.

Traditionally, the Eagles have been a high scoring team with a couple of attackmen netting most of the teams goals. This season, the Eagles have produced a more balanced sheet on the attacking end, making it more difficult for opponents to shut down the offense.

"We have real balanced scoring," Sheridan said. "I would like to see a few more goals, so we are going to start trying to do some things differently."

• • •

Jim Danala graduated from Mt. Blue in 1996, where he was an outstanding goalkeeper for the Cougars. Danala is currently a Science and Physics teacher at Mt. Abram High School in Salem.

Last spring, Danala missed the game, so he brought a stick and ball to school and went to a wall outside during his break to toss the ball around. The next day a couple of students appeared with sticks and asked if they could play pass with Danala.

From there the story takes off like a fairy tale and this spring, there are 16 Roadrunners working on their game after school with all the enthusiasm and excitement any coach would want.

"The kids are driven," Danala said. "We only have sticks and gloves, someone made the goals and we had a fundraiser to buy nets."

Last summer, Danala and a group of six to eight students would meet on the athletic field behind Strong Elementary School for a game of catch and skill development. This year, all the students came back and brought their friends with them.

"Mt. Abram doesn't have a contact sport, so its nice to bring something into the mix to give them a chance to be aggressive," Danala said. "The lack of equipment and helmets prevents us from scrimmaging right now, but at least we get to build our skill level."

Danala realizes budget times are tough and he is pleased to be working with the group he has, while helping them learn about the game and its tactics. Next year, will be the test for the team, to see if the newness of the game wears off or if its spirit continues to grow.

"It will be interesting to see if we can sustain the numbers. I think the enthusiasm will stay," Danala said. "I think the support in the community is there as along as the kids keep putting in the effort."