By Paul Vozzella
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Warrior’s season ended in heartbreak on Sunday night as they took a 4-1 loss against Nauset in the state championship.
Medfield saw plenty of chances in the first period starting with freshman Luke Dickson almost netting the first goal of the game on a loop around. Next, senior Ben Lusby ripped a puck from center perimeter unsuccessfully. Shortly after, the Warriors found themselves in an odd man rush, but to no avail.
On the defensive end, senior Charlie Duggan played a lot better than the score indicates and kept the game tied at zero apiece heading into first intermission. While the scoreboard had two of the same number, the Warriors played like the better team to start through physicality and control of the puck.
Duggan’s great play continued into the second period when he made three saves within the first 1:30 of playing time. He fended off Nauset’s attack for long enough to allow his team to get the lead. About halfway through the period, senior Joseph Nee found a free puck in front of the net and slinged it past the goalie’s stick side to give Medfield a 1-0 lead, Unfortunately, the scoring went silent from then on.
Heading into the third stanza with the same score, Nauset came out of the gates firing. A goal 49 seconds into play was called back but the signs of life were noticeable for Nauset. Medfield sent a puck off the net before Nauset was able to grab a hold of it and score itself. Duggan made three consecutive saves but could not recover in time to make a fourth.To tie things up, Nauset netted another goal at 8:12 after a misplayed puck bounced off the bottom of Duggan’s glove and in.
Nauset committed a penalty, giving the Warriors a prime chance to get back in the game but they could not manage any threatening attacks. Two empty net goals for Nauset wrapped everything up and the Warriors were done for.
Head coach Jon Jepson finishes his first leading Medfield with a 22-2-1 record, respectively. He will also need to find replacements for seniors Duggan, Lusby, Nee, Charles Breslin, Sean Foley, Jack Gwaltney, William Hardiman, Brayden Kane, William Maher, Nicholas Ntasios and John Shaughnessy.
