Cohasset Routs Austin Prep for Spot in D3 State Lax Final

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Peabody, Mass. - It was a thorough domination by the Cohasset boys lacrosse team, as the Skippers rolled past Austin Prep, 18-5, in the Eastern Massachusetts Division III lacrosse semifinal at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Skippers surrendered the first two goals of the game before rattling off seven in a row and cruising the rest of the way.

Austin Prep tops Ipswich for First Ever Sectional Crown

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Woburn, Mass. -- It was a night for history at Woburn High, as the Austin Prep boys lacrosse team rolled to its first ever sectional crown, knocking off defending state champion Ipswich 13-7 to win the Division 3 North title.

The Cougars jumped the Tigers from the start, racing out to a 4-0 lead and never looking back.

Austin Prep won thanks to its diverse, relentless offense. Five different Cougars scored led by four goals each from freshman Zach Barden and sophomore Michael Chabra. Chabra also had a pair of assists.

PHOTO GALLERY: Austin Prep Hockey Tops St. Mary's (Lynn)

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

Lynn, Mass. - You can read Eamon's story on Austin Prep's big win here, and continue below for some great shots from the game.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Austin Prep Improves Super 8 Resume with Win over St. Mary's

By Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

Lynn, Mass. - In any sport, games that decide a regular season championship generally come down to which team performs better under pressure.

St. Mary’s High School (Lynn) hosted rival Austin Preparatory School Wednesday, not only with a CCL regular season title on the line, but also in front of hundreds of fans on Senior Night.

The (#10) Spartans (11-3-4) and (#9) Cougars (10-5-1) both came into the game with dreams of a Super 8 bid, yet only AP escaped with the ability to control its own destiny still intact, thanks to a resounding 6-1 victory.

PHOTO GALLERY: St. John's (Shrewsbury) Hockey Tops Austin Prep

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

Marlboro, Mass. - You can read a full recap of St. John's (Shrewsbury) hockey's big 4-2 win over Austin Prep here, but for now, continue below to the sights of the game, courtesy of our Eamon Convey.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

St. John's (Shrewsbury) Hockey Pulls Away from Austin Prep for Signature Win (UPDATE)

Photo by Eamon Convey

(CORRECTION: A previous version of this story claimed that St. John's qualified for the tournament by defeating Austin Prep when, in fact, the Pioneers remain one point shy of postseason qualification. We regret this error and have since edited the original story.)

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Marlboro, Mass. - Not since his inaugural season back in 2013, when he reached the playoffs, has Mike Mead enjoyed this kind of success. Over the past three years his St. John's (Shrewsbury) Pioneers hockey club is usually playing out the season at this point.

But not this year.

Following Wednesday night's hard-fought 4-2 victory over Austin Prep at New England Sports Center, St. John's is now on the brink of the Division 1 postseason for the first time since that '13 campaign. The Pioneers merely need to tally one more point over their final half-dozen games to qualify for the tournament.

And, depending on how St. John's fares during the month of February, the Pioneers could prove worthy of a Super 8 berth.

Central Catholic Hockey Blanks Austin Prep

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

Salem, NH - Only seven games into this season, and Bill Pappas has joined a long list of hockey coaches who have reached that proverbial fork in the road.

The first year Austin Prep skipper has already been fitted for his hard hat as he tries to repair what currently ails his Cougars. Austin Prep has now lost two of its last three games, including Wednesday night’s 3-0 shutout at the hands of Central Catholic inside the Icenter.

“Talk is cheap right now,” said Pappas. “We have a good group and kids that work very hard. But I think it is time to take some responsibility from everybody, and for them to start looking at themselves. The season is moving very quickly and I think they need to make some better decisions. We know it is a process but we don’t want to start that process too late.”

Austin Prep Hockey Bests Archbishop Williams in Early Season Test

By Eamon Convey (@eamonconvey)

Braintree, Mass. - Just as turkey tastes better on Thanksgiving after a victory on the gridiron, so too does the “roast beast” on Christmas after a win on the ice.

Archbishop Williams Bishops (1-1-1, getting votes in Division I) welcomed in the Austin Prep Cougars (3-1-0, #4 in Division I) for a varsity hockey tilt on the eve of Christmas Eve. The Bishops got an early Christmas present with the return of senior forward Ryan Brady who made his impact immediately on the offensive end and battled with AP junior Nick Cafarelli.

2017 MIAA Baseball Preseason Top 25

BC High pitcher Mike Vasil.  Photo by Brendan C. Hall, via ESPN Boston.

1. St. John’s Prep (Last Season: 20-8) Twice the runners up in the MIAA Division 1A Super 8 Tournament, the Eagles will look to break through this year behind a host of talented young pitchers, as well as a pair of lefty sluggers in Mike Yarin and Andrew Selima.

2. St. John’s (Shrewsbury) (Last Season: 18-6) The Pioneers short but talented roster remains largely in tact after a second consecutive Super 8 berth with Ian Seymour, Jack Gardner returning while University of Maryland commit Sean Burke is ready to step up.

Your 2017 MIAA Baseball Primer

Can Braintree score a Super 8 three-peat?  Photo by Brendan C. Hall, via ESPN Boston.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Despite some existing remnants of snow from a long winter, and a cold, rainy couple of weeks, it is officially time for spring sports. With the spring season brings the return of what is sure to be an exciting handful of months across high school baseball. The “Super Eight” tournament has clearly increased the buzz with regards to baseball across Massachusetts, and with a lower Division team in Plymouth North and a Western Massachusetts team in Pope Francis both making the field last season, there are plenty of reasons to expect many twists and turns throughout this year.

So, without a further ado, here is a preview of what to expect heading into the 2017 baseball season.

Marshfield Scores 4 Unanswered Goals to Shock Austin Prep in Super 8 Play-in Game

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass. - With history staring it in the face, the Marshfield boys hockey team looked prime to give it all away.

After surrendering the first three goals of the game it looked like the Rams would fade into the cold February night with little to show for its first ever appearance in the Division 1A play-in round.

Instead, Marshfield buckled down and chopped down Austin Prep slowly but surely, walking out of Chelmsford Forum with a remarkable 4-3 comeback win. The Rams will be the eight seed in the proper Super 8 field, and will play Malden Catholic in the tournament’s opening round.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Austin Prep Hockey Overwhelms Arlington Catholic

Video by Zander Dolan (@LongtimenoZs)

Austin Prep came out on top in this battle atop the CCL, and did so in dominating fashion.

Our Zander Dolan has full video highlights from APs big win. Check them out below.