The Boys Lacrosse team has a very short history compared to many other schools. In its only ten years, Canton lacrosse has qualified for the post-season three times, including the last two seasons, but this year, the Bulldogs accomplished two first-time feats. Canton (12-6) won as many as 12 games in 2011, more than in any other year, and on Tuesday afternoon, also for the first time, it hosted a post-season game.
Canton (seeded #15 in the East Division-3 Sectional) defeated Lynnfield (11-6, seeded #18), 12-5, in a preliminary round contest. The Bulldogs now advance to the round of 16 on Thursday at #2 seed Weston (16-2.)
Canton was led by an incredible performance from junior captain Matt Malloy, who registered eight goals and four assists, getting a point on each of his team’s 12 goals.
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“He was our only Hockomock League All-Star and he is a very talented player and does everything well,” said Canton Coach Bill Bendell. “He, along with the rest of the team, is a very talented and hard working athlete with a lot of resiliency that respond to adversity.”
Canton jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, before Lynnfield scored two quick goals to take its only lead, 2-1, midway through the first quarter. Canton responded with the next seven goals, over the next two quarters, to take an 8-2 lead into the third quarter.
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Lynnfield would mount a mini comeback with three goals in less than four minutes to cut the deficit to, 8-5, as the clock entered the final two minutes of the third quarter. The Bulldogs answered with the game’s final four goals, including two goals in the final 1:46 of the third quarter, to take back the momentum, and gain a 10-5 advantage entering the final twelve minutes.
In the final quarter, the Canton defense was put on display, holding the Pioneers to only three shots on net while scoring the only two goals to account for the final score.
Canton outshot Lynnfield, 26-19, and had more shots on net, 19-15. Canton junior goaltender Devin Costa saved ten shots, while even getting an assist on a downfield pass to Malloy, who netted a goal. JC Marcone, a sophomore, had two goals, sophomore Pat Ward added two goals and two assists, freshman Matt Bagley had two assists and sophomore Kurt Leavitt also had two assists for the young, but scrappy Bulldogs.
Canton also only had one penalty, not retaliating to the Pioneers’ over-aggressive play that led to nine penalties and five Man-up goals by the Bulldogs.
“We showed a lot of poise and didn’t allow them to get to us, and it gave us nine man-up opportunities that led to five goals,” said Bendell.
Lynnfield was paced by senior AJ Roberto, with two goals, and senior goaltender Nick Critch, who had seven sparkling saves that helped keep his team in striking distance.
“We have 12 seniors on this team and they all have been involved with school activities for the past week and we seemed to be tired, and when we finally began to pick up our game, we had dug ourselves too big a hole and then we got too many penalties that Canton made us pay for,” said Lynnfield Coach Joe Papagni.
Lynnfield 2 0 3 0 - 5
Canton 3 4 3 2 – 12
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST:
C- Matt Malloy from Matt Bagley at 10:00
L-Greg Meinger Unassisted at 8:42
L-AJ Roberto Unassisted at 6:09
C-Pat Ward from Matt Malloy (Man Up) at 2:10
C-Matt Malloy from Matt Bagley at 0:41
2ND:
C-JC Marcone from Matt Malloy at 11:34
C-Matt Malloy from Pat Ward at 10:30
C-Matt Malloy from Kurt Leavitt (Man Up) at 7:12
C-Matt Malloy from Devin Costa at 0:36
3RD
C- Matt Malloy Unassisted at 11:13
L-AJ Roberto Unassisted at 10:33
L-Frank Camissa from Travis Panzini at 10:11
L-Matt Kelly from Blake Strader at 6:19
C-Matt Malloy from Kurt Leavitt (Man Up) at 1:46
C-JC Marcone from Matt Malloy (Man Up) at 1:00
4TH
C-Matt Malloy from Pat Ward at 5:58
C-Pat Ward from Matt Malloy (Man Up) at 3:08