Before Waynflete could beat Wells in Class C girls’ lacrosse state final on Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, the Flyers had to stop beating themselves. Second-seeded Waynflete committed an uncharacteristic eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes before they settled in. Senior standout Tilsley Kelly dominated the draw circle and also excelled on offense as the Flyers opened up a six-goal halftime lead before going on to a 14-7 victory.
Kelly finished with eight goals and three assists, and junior Lydia Birknes added three goals and two assists, as Waynflete (13-4) won its second Class C championship and its 12th overall since the MPA began sanctioning the sport in 1998. “We were playing not to lose and I told them they have to play to win the whole time,” said longtime Waynflete Coach Cathie Connors. “For a lot of them, it was their first time here.
We just needed to pull it together.” The fourth-seeded Warriors (12-5) struck first, on a goal from senior Cali Leighton midway through the first quarter. Late in the first, Kelly scored her first goal, on a free position, then set up senior Chloe Marblestone for a 2-1 advantage.
The Flyers then opened it up in the second period, as Kelly scored three goals and assisted on two others. Birknes scored the other three goals, setting up Kelly for a couple goals in the process. With Kelly winning all 12 draws, Waynflete was in command, up 8-2 heading to the second half.
“My teammates worked so hard,” said Kelly.