Saturday’s tournament roundup: Christian Maranian spearheads Acton-Boxborough’s second-half surge
After conceding three goals in the first four minutes of Saturday’s Division 1 quarterfinal, the fourth-seeded Acton-Boxborough boys’ lacrosse team used a blistering second half to topple No. 5 Bishop Feehan, 11-7.
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Christian Maranian was at the forefront. The senior midfielder scored three of his game-high four goals in a 10-minute span during the back-half of the home victory.
A-B will play top seed Lincoln-Sudbury in Tuesday’s semifinals at Burlington High (time TBA).
“He’s one of the best players in the state,” said Acton-Boxborough coach Pat Ammendolia, adding he felt Maranian deserved to be an All-American.
Trailing 5-3 at the half, the Revolution (11-7) racked up eight goals after the break. a result of increased patience and better looks on goal. Will Cronin and Thomas Quirk provided two tallies apiece.
Keegan Masso (14 saves) was all over his cage for Feehan (15-5). But the attacking pressure was too constant to keep down forever. Junior Dexter Izzo completed a hat trick.
In a rare under-the-lights contest at Leary Field, Ammendolia invited the spirted A-B student section to join the team’s postgame huddle.
“I think there’s a buzz in the community and the boys just kind of embraced that,” Ammendolia said. “It was a good turnout, it was good for the program and good for the community [Saturday].”
Chris Houle made 12 saves in the A-B net.
Lincoln-Sudbury 17, Xaverian 8 — Brady Malo netted three of his game-high five goals in the third quarter, Rex Friedholm had a hat trick by halftime, and Ryan Gallagher dominated at the faceoff-X to pace the top-seeded Warriors (16-3) in the quarterfinals.
St. John’s Prep 15, Winchester 2 — With 11 different scorers connecting for goals, the second-seeded Eagles (19-2) soared to the quarterfinal win over No. 7 Winchester (18-3) in Danvers.
Beckett Lee (two goals, assist) and Thias Tolo (two goals, assist) paced the Prep attack, Max Putney and Mattheus DuPlessis were strong in net, and Sebastian Froeb and Ryan Doherty anchored a disciplined effort in front. at the faceoff-X, Will Crawford won 10 of his 12 draws.
Division 2 State
Longmeadow 9, Hingham 7 — Senior Max Zichittella scored twice to spark a third-quarter rally and his younger brother, Grayson, fed Brady Stocks for a goal during a 4-0 run that gave the second-seeded Lancers (17-4) control of the quarterfinal.
Senior LSM Aedan Milligan provided a goal and an assist in addition to several key ground balls and important plays in the midfield for the seventh-seeded Harbormen (16-6).
Walpole 14, Billerica 8 —Taking on the defending champion on the road for the second straight year in a quarterfinal, the ninth-seeded Timberwolves (17-4) used an early lead to control the pace of play and hold off the top-seeded Indians (17-4) for a stunning upset.
Walpole led 6-3 at halftime and 8-6 after three quarters.
Senior captains Jake Cicci, Dan Morris, and junior Luke Weiand locked down defensively, allowing Dillon Needham, Jack Carter, and Mike Conners to put the game away with a strong finish on attack. Senior captain Davis Potter provided vital ground balls and strong play as a two-way middie.
“We knew going up [to Billerica] it was going to be difficult,” said Walpole coach Greg Shea. “The message was, ‘We don’t need to be perfect, we just have to play together, and play for each other. We’ve been here before, so let’s ride the wave and play complementary lacrosse.’ At the end of the day, the kids made the plays they needed to out there.”
Division 3 State
Norwell 7, Weston 5 — Facing a Weston squad that is low on numbers, but high on athletes and lacrosse IQ, the second-seeded Clippers (18-3) had to be patient throughout a nip-and-tuck quarterfinal matchup.
No. 7 Weston (17-2) struck first and controlled the tempo to offset its short bench, as they played with just four subs available.
Senior captain Teddy Glynn (three goals) and his sophomore brother, Packie (two goals), led the Clippers offense and Devyn Blige made several key stops in net to keep the visitors at arm’s length.
“[The Wildcats are] all great athletes. They were patient on offense. They knew they couldn’t run and gun because of their numbers and the did an amazing job of being patient,” said Norwell coach Josh Stolp.
“Offensively, we had to keep reminding ourselves to be deliberate and patient as well, to keep working the corners like we planned to, and not run and gun. If we did that, they would’ve come away with the win.”
After winning a Division 4 state title last year, Norwell looks to keep advancing in the D3 bracket, with a semifinal matchup coming up against third-seeded Scituate (15-7) Wednesday at Bridgewater-Raynham (time TBA).
Division 4 State
Manchester Essex 10, Abington 6 — Charlie Thurlow accounted for five goals for the third-seeded Hornets (17-3) in a quarterfinal round triumph over the sixth-seeded Green Wave (15-6). It’s the second straight trip to the state semifinal round for Manchester Essex.
Nantucket 10, Pentucket 9 — Arann Hanlon (three goals, five assists) paced the attack to give the second-seeded Whalers (18-3) a 10-8 lead in the fourth quarter. Thanks to great defense from Soren Edwards, Paxton Fitch, and others, as well as 13 saves from senior goalie Jeremy Jenkinson, Nantucket held on.
Girls’ tennis
Division 1 State
Newton South 4, Wellesley 1 — With a trip to the semifinals on the line, Olivia Whitaker, Manel Guermazi, and Nika Presayzen made quick work with 6-0, 6-0 wins at first , second, and third singles, to lead the top-seeded Lions (16-1) to a quarterfinal win over No. 8 Wellesley (17-4).
“They’re very calm and build points with great patience,” Newton South coach Noura Guermazi said of the trio. “They’re mature, never in a rush, and wait for the right time to pull the trigger.”
After their sweeps, they rallied behind the second doubles tandem of Lauren Sayers and Sofia Kovarzin, who closed out their match 6-0, 6-1. Sienna Soloroza and Emily Zhu were defeated 5-7, 6-2, 10-8 at first doubles. Next up, a semifinal clash with DCL rival Westford.
“The girls play with a togetherness and a love for the game that is very rare at the high school level. As long as we have that, I always believe we have a chance.”
Boys’ tennis
Division 3 State
Newburyport 3, Scituate 2 — Yaman Kilic won his second singles match in straight sets to clinch a tight quarterfinal victory for the third-seeded Clippers (15-3) over No. 6 Scituate (16-4). Roman Refour prevailed at first singles in straight sets, and Hank Weisberg/Hunter McCormick were victorious at second doubles.
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Webb Constable, Jake Levin, and Nate Weitzer contributed to this story.
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