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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Junior midfielder Matt Paolatto (27) corrals a pass and heads across midfielder on a clear. Photos by Michael Flanagan
After putting away some demons against Grafton on Wednesday night in the state semifinals with a 15-11 victory, the Dover-Sherborn High School varsity boys lacrosse team fell in the Division III state finals to Cohasset on Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field in Boston, 10-6 the final.
“Tough one,” said head coach Brian McLaughlin after the game. “Our guys came in and gave it their all. We’re so proud of these seniors for all they’ve accomplished the last four years and we are proud of this group as a whole for what they were able to do this season.”
In the early going, it was all Cohasset as the Skippers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to put the Raiders on their heels. However, Tim Polk responded for DS with a goal with 1.7 seconds left on a dodge and lefty bounce shot to cut the deficit to four at the end of one.
Dillon picked up right where he left off just 16 seconds into the second quarter, burying a feed at the crease from freshman Pierce Gregory to make it 5-2. Gregory threw home a feed from Henry Kenney moments later and the Raiders were suddenly down just a pair with 9:34 to play in the half. Cohasset extended their lead back to three with a goal on the man-up with 8:02 to play, but sophomore Erik Niit responded for DS with a right-handed bouncer with 3:12 remaining to cut the deficit back to a pair for DS at the half.
Freshman attack-man Pierce Gregory (3) makes a break towards the goal from X during DS boys lacrosse’s 10-6 defeat to Cohasset in Saturday’s Division III state championship game at BU. Photos by Michael Flanagan
Cohasset began the second half on a 3-0 run to seize control of the game at 9-4 at the end of three. Jack Dillon stopped the bleeding by burying a shoot off of transition, thanks to a feed from Gregory. The senior captain then finished off a quick-stick at the crease just 1:38 later on the man-up, thanks to a feed from Niit, to make it a 9-6 game with 8:22 to play.
The Skippers got one back with 4:52 left to push their lead to 10-6, and Cohasset was able to win the ensuing faceoff and kill a good portion of clock. DS made one final push, but the Raiders were unable to generate any offense. Cohasset hung on for the four-goal victory and claimed their fifth state title in school history.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
