Staff Writer

Scarborough High School senior Erin McElwain has come one game short of competing for a girls’ lacrosse state championship. Twice.

The last time the Red Storm won a Class A championship was in 2006, when McElwain was a freshman, and not playing on the varsity squad. She has since endured two consecutive seasons of losing in the Western Maine Final. In 2007, Scarborough was defeated by the Massabesic Mustangs. Last season, after winning the Southwestern Maine Activities Association championship, the team lost to the Kennebunk Rams in overtime of the Western Maine Final.

“It’s awful, because you know that one goal would be all the difference,” McElwain said.

McElwain, an attack wing and a captain on this year’s team, said she is ready to try one more time for that elusive state championship.

“I’m pumped,” McElwain said. “After last year with our big loss to Kennebunk, we lost a lot of seniors. We have a lot of good midfielders [this season], and it’s my last chance for a big season.”

McElwain said the team needs to work together to be successful this season, as well as well as pass the ball around more and play smart, instead of playing a “run and gun,” style offense. She said the Red Storm will be able to work on their game during spring vacation, as they will take a trip to Orlando to play against various teams at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex.

McElwain said the team takes the trip every other year, and players pay for it themselves. She said everyone on the team, with the exception of a couple of players who went on vacations earlier in the year, will be able to make the trip.

McElwain said she has been able to work on her own game during the off-season by playing with the Maine Wave, a travel team which consists of players from New Hampshire and Maine who play against other travel teams from the northeast. She said she was able to improve her offensive skills.

“It’s just helpful to experience different teams,” McElwain said. “The Long Island [N.Y.] girls were pretty good.”

Scarborough will be also facing different teams this season, thanks to a new tiering system, which divides teams in Class A.

“It’s going to improve our game,” McElwain said. “Since we’re against Wayneflete, North Yarmouth Academy and Yarmouth, we’ll have the chance to make ourselves better against better teams.”

McElwain said the team has also practiced discipline with checking, which is smacking the ball out of another player’s lacrosse stick with their stick. She said Coach Marcia Wood prevented the team from checking during preseason practices because of a rule change during the off season. The new rule means a team will be penalized, forcing one player to sit out for a predetermined amount if time, if they receive a yellow card for “rough checking” during games.

McElwain said her interest in lacrosse came from a friend in middle school, who suggested she play. She said she immediately loved the sport and enjoys her position, as she can both attack and defend at the same time. She said she also enjoys team unity.

Along with lacrosse, McElwain participates in cross-country running in the fall and indoor track during the winter.

McElwain said she doesn’t mind being busy with her schedule as she plays three sports during the school year.

“I like it, you really don’t have any down time,” McElwain said. “I like being busy, but I love to run, I love to play lacrosse, and I love to be outside and be around my friends.”

McElwain said she will be attending the University of Vermont in the fall and wants to become a dentist.

“I love going to the dentist, I really enjoy it,” McElwain said. “Not a lot of people want to be a dentist and [dentists] tell me Maine needs more of them.”

McElwain said she hopes she continues to play lacrosse in college, either with the varsity or club teams at the school. 

Dave Dyer can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 219.