BEVERLY — Like many high school lacrosse teams, the Beverly High boys gather with their arms linked in an oval after games, going over what transpired and what they want to do moving forward. It is, in every sense of the phrase, a circle of trust.
So when the Panther captains spoke to their teammates following their 9-6 loss to Methuen Saturday at Forti Field, they did so with passion in hopes of putting their early season woes behind them.
“We have to come back in with a new attitude, just focus on getting better every day and playing together as a team,” said defenseman Brad Griffin, the most vociferous of the players to speak postgame. “If something goes wrong, it’s about moving on to the next play and what we can do better. If you drop a pass or the ball goes out of bounds, it’s not about getting down on yourself. What happens, happens; it’s about how you respond and get back up.”
Midfielder Connor Wallace had tied the game for Beverly at 6-6 by converting a Will Burgess pass with just 15.6 seconds left in the third quarter. But Methuen won the ensuing faceoff, raced downfield and scored with 0.5 seconds left to take a one-goal lead into the fourth quarter. The Rangers then added to their lead with two tallies midway through the final frame, and goaltender AJ Smith made six of his 16 saves down the homestretch to give his team a win in its season opener.
“That goal with a half-second left really hurt,” Beverly (0-2) head coach Matt Riordan admitted.
“I told our kids (after the game) that you have to be resilient, not just in terms of what kind of lacrosse players we’re going to be, but as young men. Bad things happen in life; I’m 52 years old and have seen bad things happen. You either bounce back or you don’t.”
Trailing 3-0 after one, the Panthers had a strong second quarter and went into halftime tied at 4-4. Captain John Maloblocki’s goal 37 seconds into the third quarter gave the hosts their only lead, and after Methuen scored twice to re-take the lead, Wallace’s snipe momentarily tied it back up again.
Burgess was the offensive star for the Orange-and-Black, finishing with three goals and an assist before cramping up in the second half. Brendan McCarron also scored, long stick middie Coby Malionek had a strong game of his own, and captain Colby Vaccaro stopped 10 shots in net.
“Everyone on this team, coach wouldn’t have given them a varsity jersey if he didn’t believe in them. They all have the capability to serve a role and contribute,” said Griffin. “We just have to unlock that in some kids. But we definitely have the talent; we just have to show that every ball on the ground is ours and every time we bring the ball downfield it’s to score, not just go through the motions.”
Jared Cripps powered Methuen offensively with three goals and an assist. Joey Casarano and Owen Howell both scored twice with one helper, and Desi Lgizmadia also netted two tallies.
Entering Northeastern Conference play Monday on the road against five-time league champion Marblehead will be a huge early season test for Beverly, which hasn’t beaten the Magicians in eight seasons and will go up against a squad that has won 61 straight in NEC competition.
“Marblehead goes into every game with that strong mentality and coaching,” said Griffin. “But I’m excited for the game, looking forward to going in with the right attitude and mentality that it’ll take for us to win.”