Tobin and Geiger push Reading Past Concord-Carlisle for D2 Boys' Lax Title

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

BOSTON -There isn’t a team in the Commonwealth more comfortable being down than the Reading boys' lacrosse team.

The Rockets made it a habit to dig a hole this tournament, only to climb out and claim victory by the end of the game.

In the program’s first ever state title game it was no different. The Rockets were down three midway through the second quarter, before the tandem of Jack Geiger and Michael Tobin took over.

The Rockets scored 10 of the final 13 goals to defeat Concord-Carlisle 13-9 and claim the Division 2 state title at Nickerson Field.

“This is why you stay home, why you play for your town,” Tobin said. “For this. Everything pays off. When everyone’s sleeping you’re down at the turf working on your game. This is why you play for your town. All of this.”

Reading Rallies for D2 North Title vs Rival Winchester

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Woburn, Mass. - It was as good a game as you’d expect between Middlesex League rivals Reading and Winchester.

A back-and-forth game saw the Rockets give up five goals in a 3:37 span in the first quarter, but chipping away and eventually notching a 10-7 win over the Sachems for the Division 2 North crown.

Lincoln-Sudbury Outlasts Reading to Make D1 North Final

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

SUDBURY, Mass. – For the third consecutive year, Reading ran into a buzzsaw in the form of the Lincoln-Sudbury boys’ lacrosse dynasty. 

And for the third straight year, the Warriors were tested by Reading, but in the Division 1 North semifinals on Wednesday, they were able to pull away in the second half for a relatively comfortable 14-8 victory. 

The two-time defending state champions extended their in-state winning streak to 53 games and advance to face Dual County League rival Acton-Boxborough in the D1 North finals, to be held at Harvard Coliseum next Wednesday, June 14.

Reading Rolls Past North Andover in D1 North Matchup

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

READING, Mass. – In the Division 1 boys’ lacrosse state tournament, it pays to be playing your best at the right time.

Reading excelled at all three levels while hosting No. 5 North Andover in a second-round matchup D1 North on Saturday, as the Rockets opened a 9-2 lead early in the their quarter and held on for a 13-9 victory.

Reading Tops Winchester For Middlesex Liberty League Title

Mike Tobin went down in the third quarter, but came back strong in a clutch performance

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

READING, Mass. – As multi-sport athletes, brothers Kevin and Mike Tobin bring a sense of toughness to Reading Lacrosse that seems to come naturally. 

During a conference tilt against rival Winchester on Friday the Tobins demonstrated that toughness in spades, while leading the Rockets to a 13-8 home victory and a Middlesex Liberty League title. 

Reading Lacrosse Edges Andover

Reading senior midfielder Kevin Tobin facilitates from X

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

READING, Mass. – There are four key contributors for the Reading boys’ lacrosse team and when they’re all firing on all cylinders, the Rockets are very tough to beat.

Andover appeared to have the edge on host Reading in a nonconference tilt this Wednesday, as the Golden Warriors opened a 5-2 lead midway through the second quarter, but the Rockets mainstays came through to lead them back for a narrow 8-7 victory.

Tobin's Game-Winner Lifts Reading Lacrosse Past BC High

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

READING - Reading senior Kevin Tobin was having a rotten day against BC High for much of the game.

Tobin was called twice for not wearing his mouthpiece, and his offense sputtered as BC’s defense closed on him often. He took out his frustration on the sideline as the game went on, but in 20 seconds of overtime everything turned around.

On a man advantage to start overtime, Tobin cut to the net, took a perfect pass from Ryan Melley and put it home to send the Rockets into a frenzy, and secure an 8-7 win over last year’s state runner-up.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Lacrosse Poll

Eastern Mass. All-American Bryce Adam leads an elite attack for Newton North

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 4/11)

1. Lincoln-Sudbury (2-0): Still the undisputed kings of Massachusetts lacrosse, the Warriors have shown little letdown so far despite graduating four senior captains.

2. BC High (4-0): After making a run to the state finals last year, BC High returns elite defender Will Bowen, who has helped the Eagles hang on in close tilts with Needham and Franklin thus far.

3. Medfield (3-0): A dynastic program with three straight Division 2 state titles, Medfield proved capable of taking down regional powers with a win over Shenendehowa (N.Y.) last weekend.

RECAP: King Phillip Tops Reading for First State Title

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A long day of championship football that resembled a feast concluded with a connoisseur’s dessert between King Philip and Reading for the Division 1A State Title.

The players on both teams gave everything they had, while the coaches and coordinators on both sides called plays with the intricacy of a chess match. In the end, King Philip prevailed by a final of 21-18 to earn the first Super Bowl Championship in school history.

PHOTOS: King Phillip Edges Reading for D1A Crown

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

In by far the best game of the day, King Phillip made just enough plays to top Reading in an instant classic at Gillette Stadium.

Here are some of the sights from this back-and-forth-affair, click each photo to enlarge.

Eastern Mass HS Football Playoff Preview

Led by two-way stars Noah Sorrento (#4), Kenny Kern (#45) and Joe Gaziano (#97), Xaverian is the favorite in a loaded Division 1 bracket.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva), with a cameo by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Earlier this week, editor Joe Parello gave you his Central Mass playoff preview. Now, correspondent Mike Uva checks in with his thoughts on the Eastern part of the Commonwealth.

Normally, Joe stays out of these Eastern Mass affairs, but he had a few thoughts on some of the smaller divisions. You can find his thoughts sprinkled in below.