By Paul Vozzella
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
A dominant first half led to smooth sailing and another victory for boys lacrosse on Monday night, as it defeated Dover-Sherborn 17-4.
The Warriors got an offensive ambush started early with goals from junior Braedon Sutton and senior John Olenik in the first two minutes of game time. That was only the beginning.
Spending nearly all of the first quarter on offense, seniors Jack Commane and Ian Reddy joined in with goals. Olenik scored again with 15 seconds left in the quarter and Sutton tacked on two more goals to secure another hat trick.
Momentum continued into the second quarter with Reddy notching his second goal just over a minute into the frame. Sutton scored back-to-back goals moments later before Reddy took a turn doing the same to bring his goal total to four. Freshman Eddie Breslin joined the party with his first goal of the game at 7:29.
Medfield’s defense finally had to go to work towards the end of the second quarter and prevailed. Senior John Sanderson stopped every shot sent his way including a painful block off his lower leg. He came up hobbling but was able to continue his impressive play.
Reddy and Breslin added two more goals at the tail end of the quarter and by the time it was all said and done, Medfield held a 15-0 lead going into halftime.
“I'm totally happy [with] the first half,” said head coach John Isaf. “[We] played lights out – best half we played all season. That's what our potential is.”
Although Dover-Sherborn never threatened on the scoreboard, the Warriors let their foot off the gas in the second half.
Reddy tallied his fifth and final goal of the game quicker into the third quarter than he did the second quarter – just 32 seconds into second-half action.
Following Reddy’s goal, Medfield found itself on defense for close to two minutes. The possession ended with a forced turnover but Dover-Sherborn was able to immediately regain possession, charge down the field, and put the ball past Sanderson for the first time.
Sophomore Kevin Nee scored Medfield’s final goal of the game at 6:35, bringing Medfield’s lead to 17-1.
With the bench getting more minutes, Medfield let up three goals in the fourth quarter and couldn’t manage many great scoring opportunities on offense. Still, the young players seeing the field proves to be vital to Medfield’s long-term success.
“It’s really important to get young guys – early in the season – game reps. We’ll watch film and learn from mistakes. But, also, they have to prove what they can do. If they want more playing time, they have to produce and they have to play to the standard, regardless of what the score is.”
Although early in the season, the 2024 state champion Warriors have shown the talents of a team poised for another deep run with the thought that they have a lot more room for growth.
