Reid and Whetham quite comfortable backstopping Milton's bantam squad.

Behind every good man is a good woman.  Or in the Mavericks' case, two. 

Well, young women anyway. 

In a first for the local rep ranks, Milton's bantam lacrosse team currently finds itself backstopped by a pair of female goalies- Sara Reid and Courtney Whetham.

An for those assuming they were simply handed their spots between the pipes, think again.  The duo did indeed have competition, with three tenders originally trying out.

While certainly noteworthy because of its uniqueness, the all-girl tandem- at an age where gender awkwardness starts to take root- hasn't been much of an issue for either the young goalies or their Maverick counterparts.

Of course having both played with some of the guys in previous years and having brothers no doubt factored into the smooth transition.

"There really hasn't been any problems (playing with the boys)," said Courtney Whetham, who turns 14 sunday and has spent just one of her four years of lacrosse playing on a girls team.

Added 12 year old Sara Reid, "They (guys) treat us fine." 

In fact for Reid, guarding the cage for a boys team wasn't so much the challenge this year as learning to play goal period.  Looking to get back into rep after a year of houseleague, there was some reservation by father and assistant coach Randy to continue playing out with the guys - despite her toughness.

So the preteen compromised and decided to try out as a netminder.  By and large, the switch has met with credible results.

"I have to remind myself that I can't roam around anymore, but I think I've adjusted (to move) pretty well."

Up against a number of higher ranked teams in the Ontario Lacrosse Association's Zone 8, the Mavericks have made significant strides this season, which have resulted in recent victories against North Perth and Guelph 2.

That's thanks in no small part to their two last lines of defence, who've recorded one of those wins apiece and showed strongly at the Stayner Tournament two weeks ago.

Reid was in net for a second-round 6-3 decision over Shelburne, while the two shared the cage work - with Reid coming in for the final game after two strong periods by Whetham - in a 6-4 consolation championship triumph against Orangeville 3.

"They've been a big part of our success especially since we've been up against higher-ranked teams," said head coach Chris Martin, who's coached both girls in the past. "And there's really been no problems (with them playing on a boys team).  The guys treat them like sisters."

Sitting at 2-5 in Zone 8, Milton is on the road Friday to take on Owen Sound and hosts its invitational tournament July 11 to 12.