Boys’ lax bows to visiting Sharon Eagles

By Dan DeBlasio

The Canton High School boys’ lacrosse team was in action Friday as it took on visiting Sharon. The Bulldogs were coming off a big overtime win their last time out and were well rested playing in their only game of the week. Sharon, who was a playoff team a year ago, was coming in with a 0-2 record and in desperate need of a win.

“We knew they would be a hungry team,” coach Bill Bendell said. “They gave us everything they had in the game.”

Canton was also playing the game shorthanded, missing two of its top defenders, Chris Thomas and Ethan Winchell, to academic obligations. This absence may have led to the early deficit the Bulldogs found themselves in. Sharon found the back of the net early and often and built up a lead that would prove to be insurmountable.

“Sharon did a nice job taking advantage of our defensive inexperience,” Bendell said. “We fell behind early and it was hard to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

The Bulldogs did pick up their level of play in the second half and took advantage of the opportunity to get many players into the game. The younger players stepped up and filled the holes left by the veterans and took full advantage of their opportunities.  

Seven freshmen played significant minutes and performed well in the match. JC Marcone at attack, Nick O’Connor, Kurt Leavitt, and Matt Lennon at midfield, and Conor O’Brien, Andrew Mansfield, and Rich Nee at defense all had strong outings. 

Sophomore Matt Malloy led the scoring with one goal and two assists, while senior Matt Draper netted his first goal of the season. Joe Compagna and Tyler Briggs also finished with a goal, but Canton was eventually defeated 12-4.

Unfortunately, the loss was not the worst thing that happened to Canton last week. Senior captain Kyle Leavitt, one of the team’s leading performers, was injured in the game and will miss the rest of the season. 

“Obviously, this is a devastating blow because Kyle is a great kid and a true leader on and off the field for us,” Bendell said.

The Bulldogs will not have long to recover from this loss, though, as they face two tough tests this week. Canton was scheduled to travel to King Philip on Tuesday and will host Oliver Ames today, April 15.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Apr 15 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.