DANVERS — For most, Thursday night’s matchup between BC High and St. John’s Prep was a litmus test. A temperature check as to which school might boast the top boys lacrosse team in Massachusetts.
When all was said and done, BC High was able to snap a recent losing skid against one of its premier rivals. Patrick Maroney, Shane McDonnell and Nolan Hurley each registered a hat trick, as the Eagles defeated their Catholic Conference foes with an impressive 14-9 showing on the road.
“I think it started from the beginning,” McDonnell said. “We got on them early. Whole team was going. Defense, middies, wings, attack, goalie most of all. I think we were just dominating from the beginning, and I’m very proud of this team.”
It was the first victory over St. John’s Prep in seven tries for BC High, dating back to 2021. This included two losses in the Div. 1 state championship each of the previous two seasons.
To the surprise of few, BC High came out of the gate looking to assert itself, as Cooper Chapman, McDonnell and Hurley each found the back of the net. With 8:12 to play in the opening frame, the Eagles suddenly had constructed a 3-0 lead in shocking fashion. The trend continued up until the half, as Will Emsing buried a pair of goals over the first two quarters of play to help his team take a 7-4 lead into intermission.
Yet, every time BC High appeared as though it was on the verge of breaking things open, St. John’s Prep had a response. After Maroney netted his first goal of the evening with 8:59 to play in the third, Cam McCarthy responded with a pair of tallies to complete a hat trick, as his team drew within 8-6 with 3:47 left in the stanza.
Thanks to playing a suffocating style of defense, however, BC High was able to salt away the victory. Maroney netted his third goal with 11:08 left in regulation, before McDonnell completed his hat trick with 7:22 remaining, all but sealing the statement win.
“Coming here (to Glatz Field), there’s usually been kind of an aura, where for some reason we come out and get punched in the mouth first,” said Maroney. “I think the fact we were able to swing the momentum and do what they did to us a bunch of times … this is a huge game for us. Obviously a big rival, but at the same time, this is a regular season game. This isn’t the end goal. Although it’s awesome to beat Prep, we’ve still got a long way to go, and we’ve got one goal at the end of the day.”
BC High (9-1) was also led offensively by senior midfielder Brody Rice (goal, two assists). Senior goaltender Andrew Toland finished with 10 saves, and even scored a fantastic goal to send the crowd into a frenzy.
In addition to McCarthy’s efforts, St. John’s Prep (11-2) received a pair of goals from Jake Vana.
Could the statewide lacrosse power rankings see a shift during the next few days? It’s a possibility with these juggernauts trading victories on the young season. BC High coach Marcus Craigwell is hopeful his group can carry this momentum after his team’s latest win.
“This field is bad luck,” joked Craigwell. “(This win) works wonders for us, because we’re actually entering the heart of our season. We have a lot of out-of-state games, they’re number ones wherever they are. This was a good start, to take down the top guys in our state. But it’s just a fun ride to see these kids finally get it, and believe in themselves.”