Boys lax pads playoff resume with thrilling OT win
By Jay Turner
Freshman Michael Thomas is the Bulldogs’ leading goal scorer. (Mike Tureski photo)
One Canton team came away elated and the other disappointed following an action-packed varsity lacrosse doubleheader at neighboring Milton High School last Saturday.
For the CHS boys team, it was the former, as freshman standout Michael Thomas helped power the 20th ranked Bulldogs to a thrilling comeback win over the 23rd ranked Wildcats 15-14 in overtime. Canton’s most consistent offensive weapon over the past several weeks, Thomas scored a team-high six goals, including the game winner in OT, to lead the visitors back from an early 3-0 hole against a strong Milton squad.
The victory over the Wildcats was the fifth in a row for the Canton boys (11-6), who were due to close out the regular season this week with away games against two more playoff-bound foes, King Philip (12-5) and Marshfield (12-4).
“I am pleased with how we’re playing heading into the final few games of the year,” noted head coach Tommy Galvin. “It is impressive how composed we are in close games that go down to the wire.”
In addition to the six goals by Thomas, the Bulldogs also got a hat trick from senior Jeff Chaput and freshman Ethan Keleher, while junior Brendan Tourgee added a goal and four assists. Sophomore Max Eagles also had a huge faceoff win in OT that helped set up the winning goal, and junior goalie Pat Drury had another strong performance in the cage, finishing with 12 saves.
Looking ahead to the state tournament, Galvin said he is looking forward to seeing how his squad stacks up against other top Division 2 foes. “If we play the way I know we are capable of for a full 60 minutes, we may surprise some people in the tournament,” he said. “I am excited to see who we draw and will face in the opening round.”
As for the 21st ranked CHS girls team, head coach Casey Bradley still very much believes in this group but knows they are going to have to be much more consistent than they were against Milton in order to compete in the postseason.
“The Milton game was tough,” said Bradley following their 8-7 defeat. “I felt we came out flat and didn’t give it our best effort. We have to learn from those games and move forward, but that one stung.”
The Bulldogs were the far superior team on paper going into the contest, with a record of 9-5 — and recent back-to-back wins over North Attleboro and D1 Marshfield on their resume — compared to Milton’s season mark of 2-12. In fairness to the Wildcats, however, they have faced a brutal schedule this season, with the second highest opponent rating among 51 D2 schools and a No. 34 overall ranking that puts them just outside the tournament cut-off.
The Bulldogs still nearly pulled out the win despite an off-day, led by Emily McCabe and Ella Yeaton with two goals apiece. Devan Spinale, Maggie Dailey and Maggie McCready also chipped in with one goal apiece in the losing effort.
The Canton girls were due to wrap up the regular season last night against D1 Bishop Feehan and will now await their seeding in the Division 2 tournament. Win or lose on Wednesday, the Bulldogs have already clinched a better-than-.500 record and have also locked up second place in the Hockomock Davenport Division behind Mansfield with a league record of 8-3.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=112611
Posted by Jay Turner
on May 26 2023. Filed under High School, Sports.
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