Boys’ lax team opens with 2 big wins

Kurt Leavitt is one of many talented seniors on this year’s lacrosse team. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton High boys’ varsity lacrosse team kicked off the new season with a bang last week, storming back from a three-goal deficit against North Attleboro to win its home opener 10-9 in overtime. The Bulldogs then kept the hype train moving with a 12-7 win over visiting Franklin earlier this week to put them at 2-0 on the season.

For head coach Bill Bendell, it was precisely the start he had been hoping for — especially for a squad as deep and talented as Canton appears to be this year.

“I think we can certainly compete for the Davenport Division title,” noted Bendell, whose squad has finished second the last couple of seasons behind Foxboro. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we also might be able to win the outright league title.”

And while all of the usual caveats about early-season results apply, there is no denying the talent and experience of this year’s group, which is led by senior captains JC Marcone, Connor O’Brien, and Matt Lennon.

Marcone has already been a difference maker for the offense, netting four goals against NA — including the game winner on a beautiful move in overtime — while adding five more points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the Bulldogs’ big win over the Panthers on Monday.

The victory was the first against a Franklin lacrosse team since the 2005 season, and it wasn’t even all that close, according to Bendell.

“They scored first, then we came back and took the lead, and we never trailed again,” he said. “We pretty much dominated the game.”

Senior Pat Ward was the Bulldogs’ top scorer with six goals. Paul Swart, Kurt Leavitt, Tommy Galvin and Lennon added one goal apiece, while junior Eric Wong had an assist.

The Bulldogs also kept the Franklin offense in check, led by defensive anchor O’Brien and new starting goalie Ben Lodge, who collected 17 saves in an eye-opening performance in the cage.

Lodge, a junior and former attackman, agreed to take on the goaltending duties early in the preseason when no one else showed an interest in it, and so far he appears to be a natural at the position.

“He’s such a team player,” Bendell said of his new goalie. “He was the perfect kid to do this, because he invests the time to get better, and he even went out and bought all of his own equipment. He takes it very seriously.”

Lodge is also fortunate to have a talented defensive corps, which not only includes an all-league player like O’Brien, but also features strong supporting players like juniors Matt Bagley and Quinn Merrigan and senior Rich Nee.

Aiding this effort is an athletic third midfield line that Bendell created specifically for defensive purposes — a group that includes an all-league football player, senior newcomer Dexter Green, as well as freshman Will Murphy and Wong, an experienced junior.

Add up all the pieces and Bendell could very well have a real contender on his hands this season.

“Judging by last year’s results, I think we’re going to be one of the top teams [in Division 3],” he said. “It’s hard to tell. It’s still very, very early. But this is certainly one of the best teams I’ve had here.”

The Bulldogs were due to get back to action on Wednesday with an away game against undefeated Milford. They then have four days off before beginning a stretch of four consecutive home games, starting next Monday, April 15, against nonleague Medway.

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