Xaverian makes statement, tops Melrose

With the implications as big as they were against a tough Melrose team with Super Eight aspirations, Xaverian made a statement for its own aspirations last night at Stoneham Arena.

Coming off a three-game winless streak and playing their final regular-season game, the Hawks used a fullfledged offensive assault to cruise to a 4-0 win and strengthen their bid for the Super Eight. Four different players scored for Xaverian (12-6-3) despite a tremendous effort in net from Red Raiders goalie Mark Dewling (32 saves).

James Herring picked up the shutout win in net with 19 saves.

“It feels great, no matter where we end up, to get some momentum going into the playoffs,” said senior captain Josh Barton, who scored the final goal for the Hawks. “I feel like it did (feel like a statement win). We had great pace of play all game, all four lines played good. Our goaltender played great.”

Said Xaverian coach dave Spinale: “We don’t feel sorry for ourselves. We came out and competed. We knew this was a do-or-die situation, for them too. That’s a good quality club (in Melrose).”

As Melrose (12-3-5) struggled to get on the same page early on, Xaverian took advantage by breaking up a ton of attempts from the Red Raiders’ blue line unit to clear the puck. That led to 19 shots in the opening frame, and one of those ricocheted off Dewling right to Eric Wainwright for a goal. Matt Ryan picked up the assist.

That seemingly opened the floodgates for Xaverian despite a strong effort from Dewling to keep Melrose in it.

Xaverian responded with a power play tip-in from John Joyce off a one-timer from Robbie Barletta for a 2-0 lead. Ryan Pomposelli picked up the first of his three assists.

“We haven’t had many (fast starts), so that was critical,” Spinale said. “We need to do that for our season to continue.”

Andrew Barton scored on a tip-in two minutes into the third period off assists from Shane Spinale and Pomposelli, and Josh Barton topped off the day by splitting defenders eight minutes later off assists from Trevor Connolly and Pomposelli.

Senior J.T. Logue notched a goal and two assists, helping Waltham (8-10-3) to a 3-0 shutout of Newton North ina nonleague contest.

Girls hockey

Lauren Vaccaro turned aside 23 shots to log her fifth shutout of the season as St. Mary’s (15-2-2) clipped Needham, 1-0, at the Hingham Hockey Showcase.

Boys basketball

Senior forward Ben Soto scored 21 points, including the 1,000th of his career, and senior guard Joshua Briceus dropped 48 points to break a school record as Mystic Valley (17-3) rolled to a 92-52 nonleague victory over Innovation Academy.

Senior Anthony Mollica drilled a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired, as Foxboro (13-8) captured the Warrior Classic championship with a 50-48 win over Boston Latin.

Girls basketball

Chelsea Gibbons dropped 26 points and Katelyn Mollica added another 18 as Foxboro (18-2) rolled to a 61-48 victory over Hoosac Valley in a Warrior Classic championship game.