Come Out for the "Be Legendary" Lacrosse Family Fun Day

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week brings a great event for those looking to honor the memory of late Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace, and help a worthy cause.

Thursday from 4 to 6 pm at the Brookings School in Springfield will be the first ever "Be Legendary" Lacrosse Family Fun day, with all profits going to support local programs and activities for underprivileged kids in the Springfield area, including potentially helping a few local lacrosse programs get off the ground. The event was organized by coach Pedace's niece Cecelia, her friend Julia and, of course, his sister Gianna.

For those wondering why the event won't be near Tantasqua, well, John was kind of a big deal throughout the state.

RADIO: Remembering Tantasqua Lacrosse Coach John Pedace

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On a somber episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, I was joined by the Telegram & Gazette's Carl Setterlund to honor the memory of former Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace, who tragically passed away Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.

Though we only got to know him as reporters, we'll give you our favorite memories of coach Pedace, and talk a little bit about how he impacted the Tantasqua and local sports community.

Also on the show, the T&G's Chris Kyne calls in to discuss all the big high school happenings this weekend, including the Central Mass finals for baseball, softball and lacrosse, plus St. John's making a run at the Super 8.

All that, and more, in this week's episode below.

RADIO: Tantasqua Lax, Leominster Baseball & New St. Peter-Marian Football Coach Justin McKay

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a jam-packed show this week on WPKZ, as we had three very special guests on "The Local Sports Lunchbox." First, the legendary Voice of Doyle Field, Dick Tucker joined us in the studio to disuss Leominster baseball's magical run to a Mid-Wach A title, and the Blue Devils' postseason prospects. Then, we were joined on the phone by the stars of Tantasqua lacrosse, who are once again tournament-bound.

Finally, new St. Peter-Marian football coach Justin McKay called in to tell us why he took the Guardian job after five years coaching Algonquin (he still teaches at Algonquin), and offer his thoughts on one of his former players, Wachusett alum Tyler Catalina, who recently signed with the Washington Redskins.

For all that, and much, much more, continue below.

Tantasqua Edges Hopedale in Back-to-Back Games

Left: Tantasqua junior midfielder Tom Muir (photo by John Pedace). Right: Hopedale junior goalie Dan Hollis (photo by Joe Parello).

By SuiteSports Staff

Ed. Note- This story is a collection of observations and stats provided by parents and coaches from both Tantasqua and Hopedale.

Thanks to some early season rain-outs, teams across the region are packing as many games into May as they possibly can. Tantasqua and Hopedale lacrosse were no different, as the Mid-Mass. foes had to face each other twice in a span of three days, leading to one absolute classic, and another game where the young Blue Raiders ran out of gas.

In the end, Tantasqua won at Hopedale 12-11 on Tuesday, then won on their home field against the Blue Raiders 9-5 on Thursday.

Here are a few notes from both of the Tantasqua (10-4, 7-3 Mid-Mass.) vs Hopedale (11-3, 4-3 Mid-Mass.) games this week.

PHOTO GALLERY: Grafton vs Tantasqua Lacrosse

Tantasqua junior middie Tom Muir looks for space against Grafton's talented and experienced defense.

Photos by John Pedace

Ed. Note- SuiteSports is thrilled an honored to welcome a very special new contributor, former Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace. For those who don't know, the beloved coach is battling yet another round of cancer, but still managed to watch his guys take on the Grafton Indians yesterday.

Tantasqua came up short in their upset bid, falling to Grafton 17-6, but the Warriors have a ton of firepower, and will no doubt be in the thick of things until the end of the season.

Continue below for a few more shots from yesterday's action, and click any image to enlarge and open a slideshow.

CMass Lax Preview: The 2016 Tantasqua Warriors

Tantasqua junior attackman Mike Frio.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Last season, Tantasqua shocked Central Mass, splitting the Mid-Mass title with perennial power Grafton, and winning a program-record 16 games.

In fact, the 16-3 Warriors were the hottest team in Central Mass heading into last year's state tournament, winning 14 games in a row before bowing out in districts to Algonquin. Prior to the Algonquin game, the Warriors never surrendered double-digit goals to an opponent, and defeated eight different tournament teams.

Clearly, it was a break-out year, but even more will be expected of this year's group, which returns a ton of experience and talent up front, but also some pieces to build another great defense. Here's what to expect from the Warriors in 2016.