By Chad Reynolds — Lacrosse Contributor
Photos by Jon Straggas
So they met again.
On a beautiful Friday afternoon before graduation weekend, the Concord-Carlisle boys lacrosse team hosted Lexington in a first-round matchup of the MIAA lacrosse playoffs. The two teams were familiar with each other, having played just a week earlier in a game CC won handily.
This matchup got started quickly, with Ryan Fivek first on the scoreboard off a shifty move from behind the goal. Alex Fivek then put the Patriots up 2-0 with a right-handed drive off a feed from Tyler Shepard.
Ryan Fivek and Jason Swain combined for the next three goals, putting CC up 5-0, and the game was looking well in hand.
At the start of the second half, a Lexington long-stick midfielder scored a solid goal to get the opponent on the board. From there, Lexington’s leading goal scorer, Sean Crogan, scored his first of three goals on the day to make it 5-2.
Despite another Lexington goal, CC continued to make plays with aggressive defense and good hustle to loose balls, but that effort was matched by Lexington, which tried to capitalize on an opportunity to get back into the game.
Sam Griswold added CC’s final goal of the afternoon with an impressive long-stick pickup and bounce shot. Shortly after, a spectacular save by goalie Kal Lonergan turned back what looked to be a sure shot, keeping the score at 6-3.
Two more Lexington goals made the game 6-5 with five minutes to play. Both teams continued to push hard in the final moments, but turnovers and missed opportunities kept the game close.
With less than two minutes to play, CC’s Griffin Niemann executed a clutch takeaway check to steal the ball from Sean Crogan, effectively securing the CC win.
