St. John's (Shrewsbury) Rolls Past Westboro

By Joe Fantozzi (@joe_fantozzi35)

Shrewsbury, Mass. - The Saint John’s Pioneers defeated the Westboro Rangers by a final score 13-5 at Pioneer Field Thursday, led by senior captain Jack Donahue's eight points (5G, 3A).

Shrewsbury Continues Tournament Push against rival Westboro

Photo by Sydney LaQue. Click here for a full gallery of the game.

By Ryan Morgera (@RyanMor_ASSCO)

Shrewsbury, Mass. - With just seven games left on their schedule and 4 wins needed to get into the district playoffs, the Shrewsbury Colonials knew a win Tuesday was very important.

Colonial junior attackman Cole Russo knew that especially, and his team delivered with a 12-4 victory over Mid-Wach A rival Westboro.

PHOTO GALLERY: Shrewsbury Lacrosse defeats Westboro

Photos by Sydney LaQue (@SydneyLaque)

Shrewsbury, Mass. - Shrewsbury defeated Mid-Wach A rival Westboro Tuesday afternoon. We will have a full recap of that game later, but for now, check out these shots by our Sydney LaQue.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Tantasqua Holds off Westboro

By Joe Fantozzi (@joe_fantozzi35)

Westboro, Mass. - On Friday afternoon, the visiting Tantasqua Warriors defeated the host Westborough Rangers 11-7 in an early season CMass lax clash. 

Tantasqua goalie Michael Lucas held off Westboro with 14 saves, while senior captain Tom Muir led the Warrior offense, scoring five goals to help his team earn the victory. 

Shrewsbury Lacrosse Takes out Frustrations on Westboro

By Ryan Morgera (@RyanMor_ASSCO)

Westboro, Mass. - A lack of turf, and uncooperative Massachusetts weather has kept Shrewsbury from playing a game for 12 days, but the Colonials weathered the storm and came out on top Tuesday against Westboro, topping the Rangers 19-3 to open up Mid-Wach A play.


“For years, we’ve had a hard time winning at Westboro," Shrewsbury head coach Nate Skermont said. "It was important to get to 1-1 and 1-0 in the league. We haven’t played in 12 days, we haven’t been outside to practice. We expect to keep getting better everyday, so this was a nice win. I thought fundamentally we played good lacrosse, and now we gotta hold ourselves here and get better everyday."

The Colonials opened the game strong off a face-off win from junior FOGO #3 Mason Kohn (4G, 3A), who then went down the field and scored right away. Kohn scored a second goal about a minute later to make it 2-0 early for the Colonials.

PHOTO GALLERY: Shrewsbury Lacrosse tops Westboro

Photos by Sydney LaQue (@SydneyLaque)

Westboro, Mass. - The Shrewsbury Colonials ran away from Mid-Wach A rival Westboro Tuesday afternoon. We will have a full report on the game later, but now, check out these sweet shots taken by our Sydney LaQue.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Marlborough Storms Back Against Westborough

By Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Westborough, Mass. - It was a cold and rainy season opener for both the Westborough Rangers and the Marlborough Panthers, as they faced off in a back-and-forth matchup. It was visiting Marlborough who prevailed in the end, however, overcoming a slow start to win 9-8, led by senior Evan Doherty's 5 goals.

The first quarter was dominated by Westborough, as the Rangers scored 3 goals to take an early lead. There could have been more for Westborough in the opening period, but Marlborough’s senior goalie Alex Buchan made 4 big early saves, en route to nine on the day for the Panthers.

Marlboro Uses Big Third Quarter to Pull Away from Westboro

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Marlborough, Mass. - For the first two-and-a-half quarters of Friday night’s Mid-Wach B battle between the Westborough Rangers and the Marlborough Panthers, it appeared that the game would come down to the wire, as Westborough kept fighting its way back and preventing the Panthers from pulling away.

The previous meeting between these two teams also came down to the wire before Westborough pulled out a 6-point win in a game that was not played by Marlborough star center, and Notre Dame commit, Chris Doherty.

Doherty proved to be the difference on Friday night in Marlborough, as he scored 7 of his game-high 19 points during Marlborough’s 18-4 run over the final 5:15 of the third quarter, handing the Rangers a deficit they could not come back from, en route to a 76-58 victory for the Panthers.

With the win, Westborough (7-4, 4-2 Mid-Wach B) and Marlborough (11-2, 4-2 Mid-Wach B) are tied now for first place in Mid-Wach B.

Westboro Outlasts Marlboro in Early Mid-Wach B Clash

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel821)

Westborough, Mass. - The Westborough Rangers, using a balanced scoring attack and a stout defense, defeated the Marlborough Panthers, 54-48, on Tuesday night in Westborough.

The Rangers (3-1, 2-0 Mid-Wach B) had four players score in double figures.

Marlborough (4-2, 0-2 Mid-Wach B) was playing without the services of star big man Chris Doherty, who was present in street clothes. Doherty had been ejected after a receiving two technicals in Marlborough’s thrilling victory over Algonquin last week.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: The Start of 2017

Grafton is coming off back-to-back district titles and state championship game appearances, but with plenty of talent gone to graduation, the Indians will need to find new stars in 2017.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ah, it's that time of year.

The weather is going back and forth from beautiful to horrid, and I now get to pretend I know how the Central Mass lacrosse season will go.

This year is especially tricky as, outside of St. John's, it seems like every team is losing multiple star players. But, at the same time, many of the best players in the region are back, and nearly all of them will have to carry even bigger loads in 2017.

I'd love to cop out and wait a few weeks to do my first Power Rankings, but that's way too easy. So, with many teams across the region set to open their schedules today, here are my first Power Rankings of the year, which I'm sure will look silly in a few weeks.

RADIO: Previewing the 2017 Central Mass Lacrosse Season

Jack Donahue (3) and Drew Kozub (6) should give St. John's one of the most explosive attacks in the state.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I decided to do something a little different this year, and use my radio show on WPKZ to break down the upcoming Central Mass lacrosse season.

Listen in below for a league-by-league breakdown of CMass lax, with key teams and players to watch. Excuse my occasionally terrible name pronunciations, I promise to get better as the year goes on.

Note that the lacrosse preview takes place across the show's first and third segments, with special guest Sean Sweeney of the Sentinel & Enterprise popping in for the second segment to break down the end of winter sports, and preview baseball/softball.

2017 Central Mass Lacrosse Preseason All-Stars

Westboro attackman Trevor McNamara will look to build off a monster junior campaign.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It may not always feel like it, but spring has sprung here in the Heart of the Commonwealth, and that means it's time to start talking Central Mass lacrosse.

Though SuiteSports will now be covering the entire state for both lacrosse and baseball (we're expanding!), you know I've got you covered with the best CMass lax coverage you're gonna get anywhere. Be on the lookout for team/league previews, an updated recruiting database, and our first Power Rankings, all coming soon.

Without further ado, here are our preseason CMass All-Stars.

Bartlett Tops Westboro for Clark Tournament Large Title

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

WORCESTER, Mass. - All season long, the Bartlett Indians have been known for their running and gunning offense, averaging close to 80 points scored per game.

But Saturday in the Clark Tournament large school final, it was actually a stellar first half defensive effort that allowed the Indians to hold onto a 72-61 championship win.

"We scouted (Westboro), and we knew the Doherty boys (Westboro twin brothers Mike and Matt Doherty) were both playing very well," Bartlett coach said. "They're both seasoned, even though they're only sophomores, so we came out in a triangle and two to take them away."

Westboro Gets Payback Against Nashoba in Clark Tournament Semis

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

WORCESTER, Mass. - Having already suffered two defeats at the hands of Mid-Wach B rival Nashoba, Westboro decided to play Thursday night's Clark Basketball Tournament semifinal against the Chieftains with no worries or reservations.

"We basically decided that all the pressure was on (Nashoba)," Westboro coach Brian Willar said. "They're the ones that have to beat us a third time, they're the defending (Clark Tournament) champions."

While Westboro (14-7, 3-5 Mid-Wach B) may have been relaxed, the Rangers certainly weren't low energy. Westboro got to the line against Nashoba (17-4, 6-2 Mid-Wach B) an astonishing 31 times, connecting on 24 free throws, and fought the older, larger Chieftains to a 30-30 tie on the boards.

It was that energy, plus the outstanding play of sophomore twin brothers Mike and Matt Doherty, which helped Westboro pull away from Nashoba, 68-41, and advance to Saturday's tournament final.

The 2016 Central Mass Lacrosse Season in Review

St. Bernard's senior attackman Curtiss Vachon climbed the state's all-time scoring list in 2016.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Another high school lacrosse season is in the books here in Central Mass, and 2016 was memorable for many reasons.

Whether it was a slew of first year coaches making their mark at the highest level, a regional power returning to the state championship game, or several young programs making their first ever tournament appearances, this year had a little bit of everything.

Let's take a look back, and be on the lookout for my final Power Rankings of the year, along with my All-Stars and Award Winners, all coming later this week.

Central Mass Lax District Semifinals Preview

St. John's goalie Matt Mongeau and pole Sam Correnti (4) will be key for the Pioneers against top-seeded Minnechaug.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Seven Central Mass lacrosse teams remain alive across three districts and two divisions, but nearly all of them head into this week's semifinals as underdogs.

Let's take a look at each team left standing, and what they must do to take the next step.

Division 2 Central/West

The only D2 bracket to feature Central Mass teams still has two CMass squads alive, but each will enter the semifinals as underdogs against Western Mass powers.

Postgame Blog and Highlights: McNamara Pushes Westboro Past Grafton in OT

Westboro attackman Trevor McNamara looks for room against Grafton pole Tom Nicalek.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Westboro High School and Grafton High School are separated by just over six miles, but the last three times they've met on the lacrosse field, there's been even less space between their boys lax teams.

For the third consecutive game between these two border rivals, Westboro defeated Grafton by a single goal, this time an overtime game-winner by junior Trevor McNamara, just moments after McNamara scored an equalizer to send the game to OT.

Here are a few takeaways from today's game, plus highlights of McNamara's equalizer and game-winner below.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 8

Tyngsboro junior Kyle Laforge, St. Bernard's senior Curtiss Vachon and Grafton senior Chase Kapuscienski all achieved major milestones last week.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Normally I wouldn't waste too much time with introductions this late in the season, but I do want to congratulate two kids who achieved impressive milestones this past week.

First, congratulations to Grafton senior Chase Kapuscienski, who joined the "300 Club," scoring his 300th career point during his team's win over Wachusett Saturday.

Also, a big congratulations to Tyngsboro middie Kyle Laforge. After earning All-American honors as only a sophomore last year, Laforge crossed the 300-point plateau as only a junior this past Thursday.

And of course, congratulations to St. Bernard's senior Curtiss Vachon, who became just the 15th player in Massachusetts lacrosse history to reach 400 points, and only the fourth CMass player to ever do so. He crossed 400 Saturday against Bromfield.

Both Kapuscienski and Vachon have enjoyed remarkable careers, and each will have a chance to end their high school playing days in the Division 3 state tournament, then continue playing at the next level. Kapascienski is headed to Mary Washington, while Vachon is off to Wagner next year.

Laforge, meanwhile, still has this year's tournament, and his entire senior season to play, before he heads to UMass-Lowell.

Clearly, are three have bright futures.

Anyways, onto this week's Top-10.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 7

St. John's goalie Matt Mongeau

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We're too late in the season for pointless introductions, so let's just get to this week's Top-10, where there's some shakeup both at the top, and near the bottom.

1. Algonquin: 12-2, 8-0 Mid-Wach A. D2 Central/West

Last Week: Ranked No. 1. Defeated No. 6 Groton-Dunstable 8-4, Nashoba 14-9 and South Hadley 19-9.

The T-Hawks bounced back from a brutal defeat at the hands of Hingham to lock up at least a share of the Mid-Wach A crown with wins over Groton-Dunstable and Nashoba.

Algonquin can clinch the league title outright with wins over either Wachusett (Tuesday) or Shrewsbury (Thursday) this week, or finish the year perfect in Mid-Wach A play if they defeat both of them.

Things pick up out of league play Saturday when the T-Hawks travel to St. John's for one of the best rivalry games in the state. Gonk will then finish its season next week with a trip to Grafton next Wednesday, so there could definitely be some shakeup in these rankings again.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 5

Matt Cannon netted the game-winner in Algonquin's double-overtime victory over Western Mass power Westfield Saturday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

For the first time all year we have a new No. 1, as a mild upset and continued success by the Top-2 teams in Mid-Wach A shook up the top of our Power Rankings.

Let's not waste any more time, here is this week's Top-10.