Stoneham Upends Hamilton-Wenham in Division 6 North Final

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

The moment was all too familiar for Stoneham.

One week after coming from behind to knockoff Shawsheen Tech, the Spartans did it again as star running back Tre Pignone engineered a game-winning, 12-play, 62-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run courtesy of Christos Argyropoulos, to give No. 2 Stoneham a 20-18 win over No. 1 Hamilton-Wenham in the Division 6 North Sectional Final on Saturday afternoon.

The win gives Stoneham its second sectional title in three years.

Pignone, who was part of the Spartans team two years to go that fell to Holliston in the state semi-finals, noted how his team is awfully familiar with pressure moments.

Ipswich Pulls Away From Hamilton-Wenham in D3 North Final

Kilian Morrissey scored two goals and added two assists despite facing an aggressive defensive game plan

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

PEABODY, Mass. – The Ipswich Tigers are heading to the boys’ lacrosse state semifinals for a third consecutive year after outlasting conference rival Hamilton-Wenham in the Division 3 North final at Peabody High on Friday night. 

On April 27, Ipswich dealt Hamilton-Wenham a slice of humble pie in the form of an 18-2 loss to snap an undefeated start, so the top-ranked Generals were fired up for a rematch. And while the Generals avenged that loss with a quality effort, the Tigers prevailed, 11-7, in front of a raucous crowd of local supporters.

With the win, Ipswich (18-2) advances to face D3 South champion Hanover (16-4) in the state semifinals next week.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Lacrosse Poll: 4/25/17

Lincoln-Sudbury seniors Jack Sutherland (left) and Hayden Frey have been on a tear to open the season

Our rankings of the best teams in the state during the 2017 lacrosse season, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 4/25)

1. Lincoln-Sudbury (7-0; Last Ranking - 1): This group continued to shine with a win at nationally ranked Ward Melville (N.Y.) and came home to win a fourth consecutive Coaches Challenge Cup the following week.