Westfield’s Cam Theriault (3) gets one past the Chicopee Comp goalie for a score Tuesday in a boys lacrosse tournament opener. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – It wasn’t easy, and often times wasn’t a thing of beauty, but the Westfield High School boys lacrosse team got the job done when it mattered most.
No. 8 Westfield slipped past ninth-seeded Chicopee Comprehensive 9-7 in a Central-West Division 2 boys lacrosse first round tournament opener Tuesday.
Chicopee Comp (13-6) gave Westfield (11-7) everything it could handle early, staying within striking distance as the Bombers built a 3-2 lead after one quarter.
Westfield widened the gap slight more in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 9-7 advantage.
The teams played to a scoreless tie over the final quarter.
“They outworked us,” Westfield High School boys lacrosse coach Mark Cavallon said. “It’s a rarity for us to be outworked.”
Cavallon said Chicopee Comp’s combination of athleticism and ability to come up with ground balls proved to be thorn in the side of Westfield. Colts’ Nick LaRochelle (4 goals, 1 assist) led the offense and Brennan Field was outstanding on face-offs, at defensive midfield, and on clears.
Still, Westfield did enough to come away with the “W.”
Cam Theriault recorded three goals and three assists to lead Westfield. Bombers’ Nick Clauson finished with two goals and one assist, Will Cameron and Matt Bacon had one goal and one assist apiece, Ryan Metcalf and Danny Antonellis each had one goal, and Christian Nalepinski had an assist.
Westfield goalie Nick Mee made 10 saves. Gavin Carzello was all over the field for the Bombers, causing several turnovers, clearing the ball and pushing fast breaks throughout the game.
“We had a couple spurts, some goals, and got some momentum,” coach Cavallon said.
Westfield advances to play top-seeded Algonquin (16-2) in the quarterfinals Thursday on the road at 5 p.m.
“They’re a very good team,” coach Cavallon said. “They’re number one for a reason. “We’re going to try to fix some things that we couldn’t do well today, and prepare. It’s going to be a tough test.”
Despite the challenge ahead, having lost to Algonquin already this season 16-7, Westfield does have something in their back pocket. The Bombers upset them last year in a 6 vs. 3 matchup, stunning them 11-9.
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OC tames Tigers
Old Colony RVT 9, Westfield Technical Academy 3
Old Colony scored three runs in each of the first and second innings, all with two outs to seize an early lead and cruise past Westfield Tech.
Dacota Durkee went 2-for-3 with a run scored, Riley Sullivan was 1-for-1 with two walks and a run scored, and Josh Sturmer double for Westfield Tech. Tigers’ Trent Adam, Colby Nadeau, and Darryl Reopel added hits.
Westfield Tech pitchers Adam, Tobey Barlow, and Brody Zabielski each went two innings on the mound with Barlow taking the loss.
“We got behind early through timely two-out hits by Old Colony, and could never get back in it,” Westfield Tech coach Bob Eak said. “We’re going to regroup the next few days, and go up to McCann Tech and give them a game.”
Westfield Tech next travels to McCann Tech to take on the sixth seed in the West Division 3 baseball tournament. The Tigers drew the 11th seed.
