Warriors blast Marauders, 17-2, to clinch state tournament berth
AUSTIN COLLARD, a junior midfielder (#4), tallied three goals and assisted on eight others as the WMHS boys’ lacrosse team rolled to a 17-2 victory over Belmont on Friday afternoon at Landrigan Field. (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the May 9, 2016 edition.
By DAN BYRNE
WAKEFIELD — On Friday afternoon at Landrigan Field the Wakefield Memorial High School varsity boys’ lacrosse team continued its Middlesex League campaign with a big win at home against Belmont.
The Warriors dominated the entire game, scoring nine goals in the first two quarters and came out on top by a final score of 17-2 to clinch a state tournament berth.
Andrew Deleary got the opening goal for the Warriors. Deleary finished the night with three points as he contributed a second half goal and an assist later in the game.
The usual suspects led the way for the Warriors as head coach Andrew Lavalle got three goals each from Pat Leary, Ben Yandell, Brandon Grinnell and Austin Collard. Collard was all over the field, as he added five assists to his effort.
PJ Iannuzzi didn’t score but he played a pivotal role, picking up assists on three goals.
The Warriors got single goal efforts from Bobby Keegan, Braedan Langlois and William Miller.
Wakefield’s defense was stout once again as Ned Buckley, Steve Marino and company held Belmont to just a goal per half. Marino was a beast on the loose balls, as he scooped up a team high eight free rollers.
The win moves the Warriors record to 9-2 and shows their ability to rebound following a tough two-goal loss to Winchester on the road in their previous game.
The week ahead has three more contests scheduled as the season moves along. On Tuesday, Coach Lavalle’s Warriors take on the 3-9 Woburn High Tanners. The middle game will be the one to watch, as the Warriors head out on the road to battle bitter rival Melrose (10-3) on Thursday. They then wrap the week up on Saturday with a trip to non-league opponent Marblehead (5-7), the team that ended the Warriors’ tournament run a year ago.
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At Landrigan Field
WAKEFIELD……..5 4 5 3 — 17
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Goals
WAKEFIELD
First Quarter — Deleary 9:56. Grinnell 8:25. Collard 7:12. Yandell 6:10. Grinnell 5:46.
Second Quarter — Collard 9:58. Leary (6:25). Grinnell 1:35. Leary :40.
Third Quarter — Langlois 10:00). Yandell 8:52. Keegan 5:35. Yandell 4:55. Deleary :25.
Fourth Quarter — Leary 9:15. Collard 5:30. Miller :12.
