UPDATED: 9:06 P.M.
WESTFIELD – It’s upward and onward for the Westfield High School boys’ lacrosse team.
No. 4 Westfield more than survived the opening round of the Division 2 west sectional Tuesday, soundly defeating 13th-seeded Wachusett, 16-5.
Westfield scored in the opening minute of the tournament game, tallied the game’s first five goals, built an 8-1 first half lead, and cruised to a victory.
“We just executed,” said Westfield sophomore Matt Chlastawa, who led the team with five goals and four assists.
Sam Scarfo finished with four goals and four assists.
“They made a few mistakes – we took advantage,” Chlastawa said. “We were aggressive from the start. Our defense stood on its head … and got us the ball.”
Luke Chlastawa, Matt’s older brother, scored the first goal 60 seconds in. Matt made it 2-0, two minutes, 20 seconds later.
Westfield blitzed Wachusett (11-10) with six more goals in the second quarter. The Bombers’ defense let up just one.
Matt Chlastawa was on the receiving end of a bang-bang play, corralling a line drive pass from Scarfo in the center of the field out in front of the net, exploding past the defense and whipping the ball Into the back of the net with 10:22 remaining in the first half. Chlastawa burst into a high-stepping celebration. The rout was on.
“We did a lot of shooting in (the days leading up to the postseason opener),” Westfield coach Mark Cavalon said. “It paid off.”
Cavalon also credited the entire team defense for its aggressiveness and effectiveness – not wishing to single out just one individual – and Craig Ward, who won the majority of face offs.
Westfield goalie Jake Cupak finished with 11 saves.
The Bombers (15-3) advance to face No. 5 Westboro (13-4) in the quarterfinals Thursday at Westfield High School at 4 p.m.
