WEST NEWBURY — The two sides of the emotional coin that Matt Wirwicz has dealt with this spring for the Pentucket boys lacrosse program have been rather polarizing.
On one hand, he had the best mentor possible in Cam Smith.
On the other, he’s had to deal with replacing a legend.
So basically, he received Jedi Master training only to get tasked with blowing up the Death Star by himself — an impossible mission.
But all season long, Wirwicz has handled the pressure with poise.
The junior has stepped in rather seamlessly to the starting goalie position for Pentucket, and for the most part has the program in the exact same position it’s been in over the past two years. With a standout 10-save performance on Friday afternoon, the No. 6-seeded Panthers are moving on to the Division 4 Round of 16 after a victory over CAL foe and No. 27 North Reading, 15-8.
“Matt was new to lacrosse as a freshman, and he played attack most of his freshman year,” said Pentucket coach Dan Leary. “But we saw his toughness and that he was a gritty kid, so we tried him out at goalie. Cam Smith was really big in helping him as a young goalie, and last year as a sophomore, he was our varsity backup.”
The “legend” moniker is admittedly strong, but for the most part accurate.
Smith served as Pentucket’s starter for three straight years, and over his last two, he was the only goalie to be named to the All-CAL First Team — making him by default the best in the entire league. He finished his career a two-time Daily News All-Star, and was our 2023 MVP after surrendering just 5.6 goals per game in leading the Panthers to an undefeated season in the CAL, as well as a trip to the state quarterfinals.
But having graduated out to Keene State, someone was going to have to fill Smith’s role.
Wirwicz has more than answered the call.
“He taught me a lot,” said Wirwicz. “I was working with him for two years, so as soon as he left I knew I had big shoes to fill. It’s kind of tough to live up to, but he taught me a lot and was extremely helpful. I think the biggest thing he taught me was to be athletic out of the crease. When you clear it you’re an extra man, which is always helpful.
“So just to be mobile, quick and a good passer.”
All traits that Wirwicz displayed on Friday.
The junior set the tone early with two saves over the game’s opening five minutes, helping the Panthers (13-6) build an early 5-1 lead. He then made three straight clutch stops midway through the fourth quarter, when the Hornets were throwing everything they could at him trying to claw back in.
But that’s sort of been the story all year.
According to Leary, wen Wirwicz plays his best, Pentucket is at it’s best. The Panthers have relied on a bunch of underclassmen stepping into key roles this spring, and obviously had a question mark in net with a first-year goalie.
Wirwicz, though, has answered every question.
“I think a lot of that had to do with how Cam treated him,” said Leary. “He was the varsity upperclassman helping out the younger kid, and I think (Matt) saw that lacrosse goalie is a tough position, but when you do it at a high level, there’s a lot of glory that comes with it. So Matt’s just done a really great job. The guys have rallied behind him, and he’s played some really big games for us.”
As Wirwicz was talking to The Daily News following Friday’s win, a teammate walked past and chimed in: “Best goalie in the CAL!”
Hey, the Panthers would know what that looks like.
Pentucket 15, North Reading 8
Division 4 First Round
Goals: Ben Turpin 7, Michael Torrisi 2, Nate Stys 2, Steven Harper 2, Logan Durocher, Mac Cole
Assists: Durocher 2, Stys 2, Turpin, Harper
Saves: Matt Wrwicz 10
Pentucket (13-6): 5 2 6 2 — 15
North Reading (7-12): 2 2 2 2 — 8