If Monday’s Newburyport lacrosse games were boxing matches, they both would have been over by first-round TKO.
It was that much of a statement.
The boys jumped out to a convincing 9-0 lead after the first quarter, and of course had little issue closing out the 16-2 victory over Essex Tech. And with it the Clippers (4-2) are now on a three-game winning streak, where offensively they’ve averaged 14.0 goals per game while outscoring opponents by a combined score of 42-13.
The trio of Matt Page, Sam Hargreaves and Theo Refour took their turns controlling the faceoff circle, while TJ Skiba, Tyler Bergeron and Reid Tummala led the defense. Then offensively it was a balanced day with Cole Dickinson (2a), Luke MacIsaac (1a), Carter Scott and Nolan Donovan each scoring twice, while sophomore Ethan Malio recorded his first varsity goal. Rounding out the day, also finding the back of the net for the Clippers was Davis Pons (4a), Henry Waddell (1a), Worth Green (1a), Ryder Bonner, Conor Kreuz and Lucas Shorten.
Up next, the Clippers have a huge test when they host Ipswich on Wednesday.
Meanwhile it was a similar story in the girls’ game between these two schools.
Newburyport quickly built up an early lead, and a running clock eventually closed out an 18-3 win over Essex Tech. Senior goalie Cody Saboliauskas was once again excellent for the Clippers (3-1), while Sonia Tummala, Phoebe Whitcomb, Jade Steinberg and the defense held up mostly all game in front of her.
Then it was a balanced afternoon offensively as well, with Blaire Fox having another multi-goal game, Brynn Sirota getting in on the scoring, and the freshmen trio of Morgan Bromby, Finley Seymour and Ella Peddie all finding the back of the net. The Clippers will next make the trip over to Ipswich on Wednesday.
PENTUCKET: Girls roll over Dracut on the road
For the Pentucket girls, it was one of those days where everything is working.
Making the trip over for a non-league game against Dracut on Monday, the Panthers had little stress in picking up the 13-1 win. Offensively it was Daily News All-Star draw specialist Katherine Wisniewski controlling possession, while Morgan Gallant, Liah Bedard, Hailey Gagnon, Tessa Crowe and Caroline Tedeschi handled the goals. Then senior goalie Hannah Bub nearly posted the shutout, with the defense in front of her doing their job all game.
It also broke a two-game losing skid for the Panthers (2-6), who will look to start their own little winning streak when they travel up to Manchester Essex on Wednesday.
TRITON: Both boys and girls stung by Hornets
Maybe, if the hosts could have gotten just one lead, the end result would have been different.
But it seemed like the visiting North Reading boys lacrosse team was able to do just enough to always keep Triton an arm’s reach away, coming into hostile territory and driving home with a 12-10 victory on Monday. The Hornets led 5-3 at halftime, then 9-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Liam Cummings, Patrick Jansen, Paxton Laky, Cam McDonald and the Vikings (1-4) have now dropped four straight, and will try to get back on track when they host Amesbury on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the girls’ game between these two schools was a little more one-sided.
Triton went on the road to challenge a strong North Reading team, and came up on the wrong end of a 14-4 final. Alexa Lawrence, Riley McDonald and the Vikings (2-4) want to quickly put that behind them before traveling down to Georgetown on Wednesday.
AMESBURY: Rough day for the Redhawks
Not much went right for Amesbury on Monday afternoon, which made the trip up to Manchester Essex and was on the wrong end of a 15-2 final. Captains Chase Linsey, Evan Murphy, Ollie Peters and the Redhawks (0-5) will look to regroup before heading over to Triton on Wednesday.
GEORGETOWN: Defense not there in loss to Manchester
The Georgetown girls found the back of the net a handful of times against rival Manchester Essex on Monday, but couldn’t come up with the defensive stops in a 22-5 loss. Up next for captains Lilah Ananian-Randall, Emma Sadler, Katie Davies and the Royals (0-6), they’ll welcome in Triton on Wednesday.