2016 Central Mass Lacrosse All-Americans Named

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The Central Mass. Lacrosse Coaches Association has announced its US Lacrosse All-Americans, and Academic All-Americans for 2016.

Here is a quick look at each of the very deserving recipients.

Postgame Blog: Algonquin Hits a Wall Against Minnechaug

Junior attackman Zack Skowronek scored three goals for Algonquin, but the Tomahawks didn't have much else to cheer for Saturday against Minnechaug.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Algonquin came into Saturday's game against Western Mass power Minnechaug looking to put a cherry on a week that already saw it defeat Acton-Boxborough and Hopkinton, and seize the top seed in Division 2 Central/West.

Instead, it was the visiting Falcons who continued their hot start and finished a tremendously successful week that began with them defeating regional nemesis Longmeadow on Tuesday.

Algonquin (5-1) hit a wall, both literally and figuratively, against Minnechaug (7-0). Here are a few takeaways from a disappointing afternoon in Northborough.

Postgame Blog: Martens' OT Game-Winner Pushes Algonquin Past Acton-Boxborough

Algonquin senior middie Mike Martens celebrates his game-winning goal.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Just moments after allowing Acton-Boxborough to force overtime with a regulation buzzer-beater, Algonquin scored its biggest win of the season, courtesy of a game-winner from senior captain Mike Martens.

Ed. Note- Complete highlights of this overtime thriller are now up on ESPN Boston, but we have provided highlights of A-B's buzzer-beater and Algonquin's overtime game-winner below.

First-year Algonquin coach Matt Nofsinger essentially gave his senior All-American the green light to go for the score, and when the Colonials came late with the double-team, Martens made them pay with a bottom-shelf goal. The 8-7 overtime victory pushed Algonquin to 4-0, and dropped the Colonials, who have played a murderous early schedule, to 2-4.

"I told the kids to forget about the mystique (of A-B), to forget about what division they're in, and forget about the fact that we haven't beaten them. All that matters are the 48 minutes that we've been given," Nofsinger said. "That's obviously a top-notch program. They're well coached, and they've got great kids going on to play for good schools, but I'll take my group and put them up against anybody, anytime. 

Postgame Blog: Martens Shines, But T-Hawks Fall to Longmeadow

Algonquin junior Mike Martens (10) had a solid day on defense and at the faceoff-X, plus added a pair of goals against Longmeadow Friday night.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ed. Note- Here is a quick reminder that this is simply my Postgame Blog, and not a full recap of the game. If you'd like a full recap, along with highlights, head over to BostonLax. Or, if you'd like a recap with extra details about Longmeadow's Max Stukalin, head over to ESPN Boston.

In his first game after being named an All American, Algonquin junior midfielder Mike Martens had a sterling performance against one of the state's best players, but it wasn't enough as the Tomahawks still fell to Longmeadow in the Division 2 Central/West final.

Martens began the day winning his first three face-offs against Longmeadow's star middie Max Stukalin. On the day, Martens would win 15 of 20 draws from the Lancer junior, but Algonquin couldn't do much with those possessions early.

Trailing 7-1 with just minutes to play in the first half, Martens took a pass from Paul Luongo and ripped it past Longmeadow goalie Matt Pierson. Martens then won the next face-off and scored again the next time down, the won another face-off to give Algonquin the chance to score again before the half.

Postgame Blog: Algonquin Slips Past Shrewsbury in Overtime… Again

Algonquin sophomore attack Zach Skowronek looks for room against Shrewsbury senior pole Tim Hally.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was another game between old rivals Algonquin and Shrewsbury with league title and tournament ramifications, so naturally the Tomahawks and Colonials played another classic.

The Mid-Wach A rivals played a 5-4 thriller earlier this season that ended when Algonquin senior Alex Sabel threw home the OT winner, but this time Sabel would settle for only the game winning assist. His dodge right and pass back to center set up classmate Paul Luongo's golden goal, and gave the T-Hawks sole possession of first place in the league.

Here is your reminder that this blog is just my rambling thoughts on yesterday's game. If you'd like a full recap, with some pictures I grabbed before my camera decided to call it quits, head on over to the new and improved BostonLaxNet to check it out.

Anyways, onward to the blog.

CMass Lax Highlights: Algonquin Edges Westboro

Algonquin goalie Colton King stood on his head Thursday in Westboro.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Thanks to a hat trick from Mike Martens, a late goal from Alex Sabel and a monster day in net from Colton King, Algonquin overcame a slow start to eek out a win in Westboro Thursday afternoon.

The host Rangers came out hitting, and star middie Jake Foster came out firing, but in the end it wasn't quite enough to top the gritty T-Hawks.

Check out the highlights below.