Even when they are involved in a close struggle, the Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (6-0 in the Northeastern Conference, 8-0 overall) finds a way to win.
After a narrow escape against Masconomet on April 25, the team’s perfect season is intact as the calendar flips to May and the second half of the season begins.
In the Masco game, the Magicians came roaring back from a late two-goal deficit, 10-8, to send the game into overtime. The extra period only lasted two minutes before Carter Laramie shot home the game-winner assisted by Connor Cronin.
Appropriately, Cronin figured into the winning tally after he netted the final two goals in regulation that created the exciting finish. Cronin finished up with four goals and four assists to lead the attack against the Chieftains.
Laramie was not far behind with four goals and one assist. Baxter Jennings poked two shots home. Cam Waldman chipped in with one goal and one assist. James Bickell setup two scores.
Finn Maniaci came up with 10 saves to keep things close on the scoreboard, arguably one of his best efforts this season.
“Masco always brings it when we play them every year,” said coach John Wilkens. “We didn’t play our best against them this year but still found a way to dig down and pull out another victory. We were sloppy at times, and it cost us on defense, but fortunately not enough to lose the game.”
The Marblehead boys recorded their eighth overall win two days later, when they exploded past Salem, 18-0.
Reece Moore, Jack Whipple, Nick Whitaker, Jennings, Waldman and Bickell led the way on offense with two goals apiece. Moore was also credited with an assist. Laramie chipped in with one goal and one assist in this game. Conor Sheridan tallied once, along with Brody Smith and Charlie Grenier.
Cronin was the leader in assists with five. Zander Danforth, Drew Nelson and Conor Murnane each picked up one assist.
Maniaci was in net throughout the first half, making just one stop, while backup Finn Gallup took over the goaltending chores in the second half and came up with four saves to help preserve the shutout.
With the prospects of an undefeated season still very much a reality, the Magicians are set to go up against Beverly on Monday, May 2 before taking off for Danvers to face the Falcons Thursday, starting at 4:30 p.m.
