D-S gets back at Grafton
GIRLS LACROSSE
BOLTON — To get back to the state final after a year hiatus, Dover-Sherborn had to go through a familiar foe.
And unlike last year, which ended in a triple overtime loss to Grafton, the Raiders fended off the Indians in crunch time in the teams’ fourth postseason matchup in as many years.
After its six-goal lead dwindled to one in the fourth quarter, D-S showcased its championship mettle by scoring the final three goals to come away with a 15-11 win in the Division 3 state semifinals at Nashoba High.
D-S (15-7) now looks for its fifth state championship in seven years Saturday against Cohasset.
“Last year we froze up,” said D-S senior Jack Dillon (three goals). “This year we started to and then we were able to pick it back up. We were able to keep our composure and finish the game.”
D-S erupted offensively in the first half but Grafton (17-6) quieted the Raiders and mounted a comeback to start the second half.
Trailing 12-7 midway through the third quarter, the Indians climbed back into it with four straight goals.
After cutting the deficit to two by the end of the third, Ryan Warner got Grafton within a goal, 1211, with 8:16 left.
D-S didn’t fold and instead responded with a goal from Ford Pegram just over a minute later to stem the tide.
Mike Mastrobuono then found the back of the net in transition before Pierce Gregory (four goals) put the finishing touches on the win with a tally with 2:24 remaining.
“I wasn’t thinking about last year at all. It’s a different team,” said D-S coach Brian McLaughlin. “I figured it would be a battle most of the way and that’s what it was.
Division 2
Bromfield 13, Wayland 10 — For an offense that has tallied over 400 goals, Wayland usually exposes the cracks in an opposing defense.
But while the Warriors navigated past Bromfield’s first line of defense yesterday, they found it difficult to beat goalie Emily Podogorni.
Podogorni delivered an incredible performance, making 12 saves to lead Bromfield to a 13-10 victory over Wayland in the Division 2 state semifinals at Nashoba.
Bromfield (18-6) will vie for its first state title Saturday against Norwell.
“We struggled offensively,” said Wayland coach Ashley Means. “Their goalkeeper is excellent.”
Wayland (21-3) trailed for a majority of the first half and after getting within a goal on a fifth separate occasion, the Warriors exploded by scoring three goals within 24 seconds to take their only lead of the second half.
Jackie Stoller (four goals, three assists) scored the first two goals in the quick spurt before Lauren Hanafin found the back of the net to give Wayland a 10-9 lead with 17:29 left.
But Bromfield remained poised even with a trio of freshmen in Olivia Kehoe, Isabelle Kehoe and Isabelle Planchet, who combined for nine goals, leading the way.
Podogorni preserved the lead with her sensational netminding, stopping pointblank chances and aggressive Wayland drives. Podogorni made eight second-half saves to shut out the Warriors over the final 17:29.
“She played out of her mind,” Trojans coach Dave Planchet said. “To win a game like this, your goalie has to play great. She can’t just make average saves, she has to make great saves and she did that. She rose to the occasion.”