WORCESTER – The Westfield High School boys lacrosse team has had its fair share of big victories in the past decade under the tutelage of venerable head coach Mark Cavallon.
The western champ typically has to go through Westfield to earn a trophy as the Bombers have made a habit of putting together strong postseason runs annually.
Another fine run came to an end for Westfield in a Central-West Division 2 boys lacrosse semifinal Tuesday at Assumption College. The No. 6 Bombers fell to No. 2 St. John’s, 13-8.
“They were a big, fast, aggressive team that really impressed at all positions,” coach Cavallon said about the opposition.
Westfield’s Max Maggipinto (22), right, manages to sneak the ball past the St. John’s goalie for the Bombers’ second goal of the night. (Photo by Chris Putz)
St. John’s (16-4) came out firing on all cylinders. The Pioneers made calculated, aggressive drives to the net fueled by crisp passes and deployed defenders to institute a suffocating defense.
St. John’s swung the ball in a semi-circular fashion from the right side of the net to the left in a series of passes between players before Jack Donahue fired a slingshot into the opposite side of the net for a 1-0 lead 2:16 into the game.
Less than a minute later, Luke Anastasi made a strong rush to the net and muscled it in for a 2-0 St. John’s advantage.
Westfield was determined to show it belonged though as Landon Reyes sliced the deficit in half with a nice goal halfway through the opening period.
St. John’s proved to be a more-than-worthy opponent, unleashing a relentless attack that soon netted consecutive goals from Owen Boss, one of which was a highlight-reel play with Boss spinning out in front of the net and scoring on a quick turnaround with 2:31 on the clock for a 4-1 lead.
Westfield’s Max Maggipinto sliced the deficit in half with a goal with 1:07 remaining in the first quarter.
When pressed though, St. John’s response was often fast and furious.
With 13 seconds left in the first quarter, Boss collected his third score of the game. Then, early in the second quarter, Donahue netted his second goal for a 6-2 lead. The Pioneers made it 7-2 with a goal from Tim LaCroix with 6:33 remaining in the quarter.
Westfield scored with 4:57 left in the half on Cameron Theriault’s goal.
Offense was on lockdown over the remainder of the first half with both teams going scoreless until Alec Dawson buried a goal for St. John’s in the opening minutes of the second half to take an 8-3 lead.
Over the course of the third quarter, St. John’s built a commanding 11-3 advantage.
“There’s a reason they are the number one ranked team in Central Mass,” coach Cavallon said. “With a team like this, you have to find a way to stop the bleeding.”
Westfield discovered that remedy in the fourth quarter, mounting a rally that saw them net five of the next six goals (Daniel Antonellis, Bonsall, Nicholas Clauson, Maggipinto, Theriault), including four straight that brought them within four goals of a tie with 2:34 still remaining in regulation.
Charlie Davidson notched a key goal for St. John’s with 1:07 left to halt the Bombers’ momentum and secure a victory.
“I’m very proud of our team,” coach Cavallon said, reflecting upon his team’s regular season performance and postseason run. “We’re never in a situation where we felt like we are out of the game … and Alex Beauchemin made some big saves.”
Westfield finishes the year with a record of 13-7.
