Boys’ lacrosse tops OA, Milford

Senior captain JC Marcone is averaging 2 goals a game for the Bulldogs. (Mike Barucci photo)

It wasn’t exactly a cakewalk, but the Canton High boys’ lacrosse team still managed to make it 12 in a row with a hard-fought, 3-2 victory over Oliver Ames last week.

The red-hot Bulldogs, who are in the midst of an unprecedented winning streak, also defeated Milford last Monday at home on senior night. They boast the league’s best offense and its stingiest defense, and they enter this week needing just four more wins to complete a perfect regular season.

Last Wednesday in Easton, however, the boys got a reminder of just how difficult it can be to remain undefeated as they nearly gave one away against the 2-12 Tigers.

While a close game was expected given the familiarity between the two programs, Canton head coach Bill Bendell said the Tigers simply out-hustled and out-worked the visiting Bulldogs for a good portion of the first half.

“It was tough at times to watch,” acknowledged Bendell. “They just wanted it more early, beating us to every loose ball and limiting our transition game.”

The Bulldogs led just 2-1 going into halftime and were held scoreless throughout the third quarter and most of the fourth. OA managed to tie it up at 2-2, and it remained that way until senior captain JC Marcone netted the eventual game winner with four and a half minutes to go.

With about 30 seconds remaining, OA got the ball back and had one final chance to tie it, but the vaunted Bulldog defense snuffed out the play to preserve the victory.

After the game, Bendell praised the defense for a “phenomenal” performance, led by senior captain Connor O’Brien, juniors Quinn Merrigan and Matt Bagley, and junior goalie Ben Lodge. He was also quick to note the contributions of his defensive midfield line, which is anchored by Eric Wong and features a combination of Dexter Green, Tyler Murphy and Matt McHugh.

On the other side of the field, the Bulldog offense had a rare off-day, although team scoring leader Pat Ward still made his presence felt with two goals and one assist. He now has an incredible 50 points through 12 games, which puts him among the leaders in all of eastern Massachusetts.

Marcone, who is second on the team with 40 points, also played well against OA, as did senior midfielder Shane Nordgren, whose work in the faceoff circle was the “difference in the game,” according to Bendell.

Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs honored their eight seniors in the team’s final home game of the regular season — an 8-3 victory over league newcomer Milford.

Bendell said the play was sloppy at times, although the game was never in doubt as Canton led from start to finish.

“I would’ve liked to have played better,” he said, “but the important thing is we won the game and it was a great night for the seniors.”

Seniors Ward, Marcone, and Kurt Leavitt each finished with two goals, while Nordgren, Wong, and senior captain Matt Lennon added one goal apiece. Junior Tommy Galvin and freshman Ben O’Neil each had one assist.

Bendell said Wong’s goal was particularly impressive as he came sprinting down the field in transition, zigzagged past his defender, and rifled an overhand shot into the net for the score.

The defense also played well against the Hawks, getting big contributions from seniors O’Brien and Rich Nee, while Lodge had another excellent game in the cage, tallying nine saves.

Now 12-0, the Bulldogs could lock up their first-ever Davenport Division title with a victory on Monday at Sharon. Then they close out the season with road games against three tough opponents: Foxboro, Westwood, and Abington.

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=20573