Hot start continues for boys’ lax team

With victories in five of its first seven games, including two more last week, the CHS boys’ lacrosse team is now off to its best start in years, and head coach Bill Bendell and the rest of the coaching staff couldn’t be happier about it.

“We’re thrilled to be 5-2,” admitted the sixth-year coach, who watched as his young squad dismantled a pair of nonleague opponents – Medway and Dedham – by a combined score of 23-9 over the recent April vacation week.

On Tuesday at home, the Bulldogs got off to a quick start against Medway, scoring eight first-half goals en route to a 12-6 win.

Nine players scored at least one point in the victory, led by sophomore Kurt Leavitt with two goals and three assists. Bendell said Leavitt also dominated the faceoffs along with fellow sophomore Shane Nordgren.

Sophomore Pat Ward was another key contributor, finishing with three goals and one assist, while captains Matt Malloy and Max Kamin both continued their strong starts to the season with a combined seven points.

Bendell also praised freshman Casey Dwyer, who was promoted to one of the top three midfield lines and went on to score his first varsity goal.

“He probably earned a spot on the varsity team with that goal,” said Bendell. “He played really well for us.”

On Thursday at Dedham, the Bulldogs were without starting goalie Devin Costa, so they turned to sophomore defenseman Conor O’Brien, who more than held his own in net in an 11-3 win.

Bendell said the Dedham coaches did a nice job of making adjustments following Canton’s 17-0 season-opening win, and it was reflected in the score through two-plus quarters.

In fact, the Bulldogs’ lead was just two (5-3) as late as the third quarter before they closed things out on a 7-0 run.

Bendell said his team was actually too unselfish early in the game, but overall he was very pleased with the effort and lauded his players for sharing the ball throughout the game.

The player of the game was Ward, who gave a great all-around performance and finished with a team-high five goals to go along with one assist. Malloy, the Bulldogs’ “Mr. Consistency,” had another outstanding performance with two goals and five assists, while fellow captain TJ Lennon, described by Bendell as the team’s “unsung hero,” picked up a team-high nine ground balls.

Other notable performers included TJ’s younger brother Matt, who scored a “beautiful,” left-handed goal off a pass from Kamin, and defenseman Quinn Merrigan, who made his first start and ended up playing the entire game.

Canton could run its winning streak to five games with victories this week over Hockomock opponents North Attleboro and King Philip. The NA game was scheduled for Wednesday in North Attleboro, and the KP game is set for tomorrow afternoon at home.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Apr 28 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.