A Westborough Rangers player charges forward through the defense of a Grafton opponent.
By Jesse Kucewicz, Contributing Writer
WESTBOROUGH – In their first away game of the season, May 13, the Grafton High School boys lacrosse team charged past Westborough High School with a commanding 16-5 win.
Westborough started the game strong, with two solo goals from Cooper Armstrong helping the Rangers take a 2-0 lead with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Before the quarter could end however, Grafton’s Colin Thornton scored his first goal of the night with only three seconds remaining on the clock.
The Rangers expanded their lead to 3-1 midway through the second quarter with a goal from attacker Jack McCarthy. But Grafton took control of the game later in the quarter. Within a period of just 47 seconds, three Grafton players found the back of Westborough’s net. By the end of the first half, the visiting Gators led 5-3.
Grafton Head Coach Alan Rotatori acknowledged the performance of goalie Reed Hanson, who tallied 13 saves throughout the game, as one of his team’s keys to success.
“He has just been playing great, just outstanding; I can’t say enough,” Rotatori said. “Some of those saves are so tough, right in his face, and he looks relaxed; he doesn’t get frazzled.”
Grafton continued their scoring streak into the second half, led by Jack Duplesis, who scored three goals in the third quarter. He would finish the night with four goals. In a quarter plagued by penalties, meanwhile, Westborough’s Ty Allen scored the team’s only goal of the quarter, which ended with Grafton ahead 10-4.
The final quarter started with Thornton finding the back of the net four consecutive shots, completing his night tallying six goals and an assist.
The game ended with Grafton ahead 16-5.
Following Thursday’s game, Grafton improved their record to 5-0 with a win over Shrewsbury while Westborough fell to Wachusett, dropping their record to 1-3.
