By David Harry

Staff Writer

With victory all but certain Saturday, Scarborough High School senior midfielder Ellie Morin took a shot to themouth from an opponent’s lacrosse stick.

Seconds later, she regained control of the ball and ran straight through the Mt. Ararat defense. Her shot found the net, but the score was waved off because she had stepped into the crease, the circle surrounding a lacrosse goal.

Brittany Ross, also a senior midfielder, was not surprised by Morin’s charge.

“We always say, ‘you just don’t want to mess with Ellie,’” Ross said.

Teams in three different sports found it hard to mess with the tandem of Ross and Morin. Last Saturday’s 11-7 win over the Golden Eagles for the Class A state girls lacrosse championship marked the third state title for the two this year.

The field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams all went undefeated, a combined record of 55-0 over the fall, winter and spring sports seasons. The last time Ross and Morin played in a losing game came when the lacrosse team lost to Kennebunk in the 2009 Western Maine Class A finals.

“I just had the best senior year possible,” said Ross, who will play field hockey and study journalism in the fall at Providence University.

Morin said she will attend the University of Southern New Hampshire and has not decided whether to study business or design. Next spring, she will play lacrosse, the sport she said she loves most.

“You always fall in love with the sport you are best at,” Morin said.

Morin and Ross are at the heart of about a half-dozen athletes who drove Scarborough girls teams to championships this year after playing sports together since fifth grade.

Heather Carrier played on the field hockey and basketball teams and last year’s championship softball team. Christy Manning was named the best basketball player in the state and led the girls outdoor track team to a state championship. Sarah Moody scored 9 points in the basketball championship game.

Not all of the players could fully share the glories because of injuries. Morin’s sister Jackie missed the field hockey season because of torn knee ligaments but returned to play defense for the lacrosse team. Jennifer Colpitts missed the basketball championship with a broken wrist.

Ellie Morin said winning championships for injured teammates provided extra inspiration.

“I think I have learned that in a lot of sports, you can’t focus on yourself. When everyone plays a role, it is that much greater,” Morin said.

In all three sports, Ross and Morin were team captains, starters and major contributors. Down 1-0 late in the field hockey championship against Skowhegan, Ross tied the game. Morin won it with a goal in overtime, reversed the score and result of the 2008 field hockey championship game against the same opponent.

In basketball, each scored 12 points as Scarborough beat Skowhegan 52-32. Last Saturday, Morin had two goals and Ross one to help defeat Mt. Ararat.

The road to championships for each team led them past schools that had beaten them in postseason play in the 2008-2009 school year.

“That’s the sweetest feeling. It’s like in your face. I mean, you don’t want to be rude, but that’s how it is,” Morin said. “Your self-confidence builds when you beat the team that beat you last year.”

No matter the sport, Ross and Morin said they know where the other will be on the field.

“It kind of just flows. We know how each other plays,” Ross said.

They both find a lot to admire in each other’s styles. Ross is about half a foot shorter than Morin, speedy and determined.

“She has always been the fast one. She just teaches you to never give up, it’s all about the heart,” Morin said.

Ross said Morin’s lack of fear makes her stand out.

“She plays with a no-lose attitude. She has so much self confidence,” Ross said.

The idea they could get through the year without losing a game became more likely as the lacrosse season opened, but each season had very close games that could easily have gone the other way.

Ross and Morin credited their coaches, Kerry Mariello in field hockey, Jim Seavey in basketball and Marcia Wood in lacrosse for knowing how to push players while ensuring the games remained fun.

Both said strong coaching and community support were key reasons the group of girls could grow and excel at sports from an early age.

As she moves on to collegiate athletics, Ross said she will form new bonds while thinking about old ones.

“It will be weird without Ellie and Heather and everyone. Hopefully, I can find a close group of new friends,” she said.

Morin said she is aware of what she leaves behind as she gets ready for college.

“Winning three championships is something we and the town will never forget. Scarborough girls sports has a whole new reputation,” she said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219