Boys lacrosse: Messalonskee seniors have unfinished business entering Class B final

Messalonskee’s Walter Fegel, left, is defended by Gardiner’s Casey Paul during a boys lacrosse game earlier this season in Oakland. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

There’s one piece of unfinished business left for the seniors on the Messalonskee boys lacrosse team.

The group — Walter Fegel, Will Durkee, Bryce Crowell, Logan DeRaps, Landen White, Brock Stanhope and Colby Chavarie — have already pushed the bar for the program. That was cemented Tuesday night, when Messalonskee beat Brunswick 18-8 to secure the program’s first state final appearance. It was the third straight season Messalonskee reached the state semifinals.

There’s still one more challenge left for the Eagles (12-4): Try to upend No. 1 York (12-4) for the Class B title on Friday night at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

“It’s awesome (to get to states),” Crowell said after the win over Brunswick. “It’s a first for (Messalonskee head coach Tom Sheridan), it’s great. Wouldn’t want a better group to do it.”

“We’ve been chasing this for three years,” Fegel added. “Doing this, with all of the boys, it’s going to be crazy.”

The task Friday won’t be easy, Sheridan said.

“York will be a team we haven’t seen, we haven’t seen them and they haven’t seen us,” Sheridan said. “We know everybody else but them, basically. It’ll be an interesting game, playing on the turf. York’s got a phenomenal offense. Defensively, I definitely have to try to prepare and do some homework. We’re a turf team, so hopefully we’ll play hard on Friday night.”

If there’s a group that can do it, it’s Messalonskee. There’s been plenty of accolades this season, particularly for the seniors. Fegel, Durkee, Chavarie and Crowell (along with junior Brady Brunelle) — were named Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Large School first team all-star selections. White was a second team selection.

Crowell was also chosen as the KVAC Large School Player of the Year. Credited by Sheridan as being one of the state’s top faceoff players, Crowell was tabbed by Brunswick head coach Jason Miller as a major reason the Eagles beat the Dragons in the semifinals.

Messalonskee teammates Walter Fegel, left, and Brady Brunelle celebrate Fegel’s goal during the first period of a lacrosse game against Gardiner earlier this season in Oakland. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

“It’s just tough when every faceoff, you’re playing defense,” Miller said Tuesday night. “It’s tough when you have to immediately go back on D. Bryce is a master of his craft, and it really pays off for them. It showed here. You can’t score goals if you’re on defense.”

“Easily, our faceoff guy, Bryce Crowell (has been key)” Fegel added. “He just wins everything. Offensively, that’s what you want. Because of him, we’re able to roll teams, get a fast break and our momentum just keeps going.”

The group has come close to breaking through on multiple occasions. The victory over Brunswick on Tuesday was also sweet revenge for Messalonskee, who dropped a 14-11 decision to the Dragons in the state semifinals last season.

“The past couple years, I think we’ve been the (No. 1) seed; we made it to this point and got knocked out both times,” Crowell said. “It just feels so good to get to that next step and do it against Brunswick.”

The Eagles have finally earned their state title appearance. On Friday night, the Eagles will look to gain another first: A state championship victory.

“(Getting to states) has always been the goal,” Sheridan said. “Getting there, as a program, I think this is the next step forward… We’ve got to take that next step, and I think our guys are ready for that.”