The Winslow field hockey team has scored 13 goals in winning each of its first three games. Even better for the Black Raiders, they’ve had at least three players score in each game. In a 5-0 win over Camden Hills on Tuesday, Winslow had five different players with one goal apiece.

“The fact that we’re having different people scoring, rather than relying on one person, has been great,” Winslow coach Mary Beth Bourgoin said. “They’re all trying to step up and contribute.”

With Jordyn Dorval out with an injury, Bethany Winkin has emerged as a defensive leader.

“Bethany Winkin has been just a solid player for four years now, and has been at the center back position for two solid years,” Bourgoin said. “She’s just been awesome.”

Alyssa Wood, Ciera Poulin, and Katie Smith have also played well in the backfield, as has new goalie Delaney Wood. Winslow has not allowed a goal this season.

“The four of them (in the backfield) are just working together very, very well,” Bourgoin said. “Communication has been huge, and then throw in Delaney, who’s been great with her input, and I’m just very happy with how they’re playing together.”

The problem Winslow potentially faces in the future is that the Black Raiders are winning all of their games handily, and it’s hard to see a genuine need for improvement when you win by four or five goals. But Bourgoin is confident that this team is driven.

“We joke that we’ve got a team of perfectionists,” she said. “Even though we’re winning 5-0, they come off the field saying, ‘I have to do this better, and I have to do this better.’ They want to do the work it takes.”
 
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After an opening-day loss to Mt. Blue, Lawrence coach Lisa Larrabee said she wanted her team to focus more on defense. The Bulldogs then responded by shutting out Lewiston 4-0 and Cony 2-0.

“We’re young,” Larrabee said. “We have 21 freshmen and sophomores. I’m starting two seniors. We realize we have to play as a team, and it’s not going to be a couple of individuals. I’m very happy with my kids for their patience, because I’m moving people around a lot.”

The Bulldogs got another boost with the return of sophomore Nia Irving, who has not played this season because of an ankle injury. Irving practiced for the first time Wednesday, and will see action Saturday against Brunswick.

“She’s going to be back at 20, 50 percent,” Larrabee said. “I’ll play her Saturday, but it will be minimal. She has to work her way back. She hasn’t sprinted for three months.”

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The Maranacook players may not know what to do with themselves in today’s game at Mt. View. For the first time in the regular season, the Black Bears will take on the opposition with a full contingent of 11 players on the field.

Maranacook has 12 players on its roster, and two were injured. Starting wing Lindsay Webber will be back for today’s game.

Because of what coach Tanya Evans termed two players “breaking contract,” Maranacook used only eight players in a 6-0 loss to Maine Central Institute on Friday. The Black Bears used 10 players for most of Monday’s game with Morse, and won 3-2 in overtime. Now, they should be able to play 11-on-11.

“It’s probably going to be a little crowded out there for some of them,” Evans joked.

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
mdifilippo@mainetoday.com