WESTWOOD — One of the simplest ways to beat adversity is by answering with authority.
After a troublesome loss earlier this week, Andover’s boys lacrosse group did simply that Saturday. Seniors Jack Cooper (hat trick) and Ben Gwiazda (two objectives) propelled the assault, because the Golden Warriors (5-1) registered one in every of their greatest wins of the season with a formidable 9-7 win towards Catholic Convention energy Xaverian.
The sport was a fantastic litmus take a look at between colleges hoping to ascertain themselves among the many state’s elite applications. Andover was coming off its first loss to a vaunted Billerica squad, however nonetheless listed No. 8 within the Herald’s newest rankings. Xaverian has endured one of many state’s hardest schedules.
Cooper buried a shot to present Andover a 1-0 lead simply 54 seconds into play.
Xaverian (3-4) proceeded to bleed clock, controlling possession for practically 5 straight minutes earlier than Charlie Brennan sniped the equalizer to make it 1-all with 5:43 left within the first quarter.
Nevertheless, each time the Hawks gave the impression to be gaining any semblance of momentum, Andover responded. Simply 25 seconds later, Gwiazda fired house his first purpose because the Golden Warriors restored their lead at 2-1. They might lengthen it to 3-1 with two minutes to play within the opening stanza, as Cooper potted his second.
“The Billerica sport was robust,” mentioned Cooper. “They’re a gritty group, and falling to them by that a lot sort of damage us. However we had a fantastic week of apply, the protection pushed the offense very onerous. We sort of bought ourselves collectively, and performed like a group.”
The colleges traded objectives till the waning seconds of the half, when the Golden Warriors loved an ideal sequence. As he tried to complete off a hat trick, Cooper darted towards the cage, and was denied as his shot ricocheted excessive within the air. The Stony Brook commit settled nevertheless, and caught it uncontested. Then, he sprinted again to the cage and stuffed house his second attempt to make it 5-3.
With 5 ticks left within the half, Marcus DeJesus tacked on yet one more purpose in frantic style, altering the sport’s complexion as Andover constructed a 6-3 lead.
“I might say coming to one in every of these Catholic Convention groups may be very significant,” Cooper mentioned. “Us public college youngsters, I’d say we’re very gritty. These Catholic Convention gamers are gritty too, but it surely means extra to us. I feel it’s extra of an power factor. It was nice to return out on the successful finish.”
Andover obtained two objectives from DeJesus. Dan Guinee and Nolan Dowling scored as soon as for the Golden Warriors.
Brennan completed with 4 objectives and an help to hold Xaverian, with Michael Albert and Ryan Dorfman accounting for the Hawks’ different tallies.
“I feel if we simply maintain working onerous on a regular basis in apply, all the pieces goes to translate,” mentioned Gwiazda. “I’ve bought perception in our guys. I feel we will make it far this yr.”
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