2018 Central Mass Lax Previews: The Worcester Warriors

Worcester senior Phil Adarkwah

By Ryan Morgera (@RyanMor_ASSCO)

Our Central Mass lax previews continue with a look at the Worcester Combines Lacrosse Team, which draws from each of the public high schools in the city of Worcester. Over the past several years, coach Harry Jones has turned this program into a consistent playoff contender, and made WooLax one of the most buzzed about teams in Central Mass. Our Ryan Morgera lets you know what to expect from this year's squad.

Head Coach: Harry Jones
Team Captain(s): PJ Sharry (Senior), Phil Adarkwah (Senior), Kevin Racine (Junior)
Seniors: 5
First 3 Games: 4/3 at Tantasqua, 4/5 vs Auburn, 4/7 at St. John's (Shrewsbury)

After falling 2 games short of the playoffs in 2017, the Worcester Warriors are locked and loaded and more than ready to get rolling this 2018 season.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox with Worcester & Grafton Lacrosse

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's edition of the Local Sports Lunchbox, we welcomed players from two of the best teams in the Mid-Mass. lacrosse league. First, seniors C.J. Gallagher, Richie Burke and Griffin Moore called in from Worcester to let us know what to expect from WooLax. Then, Grafton seniors Tom Nicalek, Jack Fontana and Brendan Coates called in to discuss the Indians' quest for a third consecutive district title.

Plus, we run through the biggest games from last week, and preview some huge upcoming games that hopefully won't be rained out.

Continue below for all that, and more, on this week's episode on WPKZ.

Video Preview: WooLax in the Worcester Sun

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I'm thrilled to announce this morning that my first story in the Worcester Sun is a profile of Worcester's combined lacrosse program.

For those of you who aren't familiar, the Worcester Sun is a new subscription-based local site with some of the best long-form and investigative journalism around.

Obviously, I'm going to say nice things about them, but for two bucks a week, give them a try and check out all the local reporting, editorials, cartoons and history from the newest addition to the Worcester media scene.

For a preview of my WooLax story in today's Sun, check out the video below.

Postgame Blog: Worcester Bounces Back Against Nipmuc

Fortune favored the physical Tuesday, as Worcester's C.J. Gallagher (25) and Luke Hanlon (9) combined for 24 ground balls (12 each) against Nipmuc. WooLax dominated when the ball was on the ground, collecting 45 GBs on a slippery day when possession was hard to maintain.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Just four days after fading in the second half against Nipmuc, Worcester returned the favor against the Warriors with a 7-6 victory at home Tuesday.

With the game tied at four late in the third, Worcester (5-2, 3-1 Mid-Mass) drew a foul for a slash, then another foul for arguing with the officials. Nipmuc (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Mass) took advantage, as Patrick Donland put the Warriors up 5-4 (Note, both teams are nicknamed the Warriors, so I'm going to use "Warriors" to refer to Nipmuc, and "WooLax" to refer to Worcester. Thanks for bearing with me).

But Worcester dug itself out of that whole when James Goggins wrapped around nearly the entirety of his team's offensive zone to score an elongated wrap around goal while WooLax was still two men down. The teams went to the fourth knotted at five, and Worcester began to take control.