MIAA Roundup: St. John’s boys tennis advances to title match

With a 4-1 victory over Newton South in Danvers on Wednesday, the St. John’s tennis team advanced to the Division 1 North final. The second-seeded Prep will meet nemesis and top seed Lexington. St. John’s will be looking to capture its first state title since 2001.Spencer Canny (7-5, 6-4) and Chris Toner (6-1, 6-3) both won in singles action. No. 1 singles player Cameron Trosin would be the only Eagle to fall, as he was defeated in a tough match, 6-4, 7-5.”We played a very solid team today, and were down in the beginning but the kids were able to pick up the tempo and rebound. They showed their true colors today,” said Eagles coach Mark Metropolis.When St. John’s and Lexington squared off earlier this season, it was the Eagles who prevailed 3-2. Lexington finished the season with only that one blemish on its overall record (20-1). Similarly, the Eagles finished the season with just one loss, but it came against an out-of-state opponent, Barrington (RI).”We were able to beat them earlier this season, but as expected it was a very tough match,” said Metropolis. “It’s been a great season; we are 18-1 and in the finals. Hopefully we can take that last step and win a title.”The title match will be played on Friday at Newton South High School (3 p.m.).GIRLS TENNISManchester-Essex 5, Lynnfield 0The Pioneers’ season came to an end at the hands of a Manchester team that is seen as a potential favorite for the Division 3 North title.”Manchester is a very strong team, and I believe they have a great shot at winning the title,” said Lynnfield coach Craig Stone. “Our girls fought hard today; the final score doesn’t capture how competitive this match really was.”Despite failing to win a game, Lynnfield was able to keep the match going for approximately three hours, making sure it wouldn’t go down without a fight.Manchester’s Michelle Fuca defeated Julia Broding 6-1, 6-4 in No. 1 singles action. Lynnfield’s Ava Grava fought hard before falling to Kendall McCormick. In doubles action, Lynnfield’s number one tandem of Karen Kelter and Jordan Miller fell victim to Manchester’s Eliza Rohner and Rachel Daly, who finished the regular season undefeated in league play.BOYS LACROSSESt. John’s 10, L-S 8The No. 9 Eagles were able to hold on against a tough Lincoln-Sudbury team, and advanced to the semifinals, where they will meet No. 5 Needham (at Needham Saturday).”We knew it was going to be a tough game from the start. We beat them in the regular season (15-9), but they were coming off an upset over No. 1 Marshfield, so we knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said coach John Roy.The Eagles trailed at halftime (4-3), but fought hard to tie the game 6-6 heading into the fourth quarter. Sudbury would score the next two before St. John’s scored four unanswered to secure the win.St. John’s got three goals and an assist from Nahant native Matt Scalise. Dan Mini had three goals as well, while Colin Blackwell finished with a goal and two helpers. Goaltender Blair Friedensohn finished with 18 saves.”Blair came up big for us tonight on the big stage,” said Roy.GIRLS LACROSSEIpswich 13, M’head 10The No. 4 Magicians fell to top seed Ipswich, keeping the game close right until the final whistle.Olivia Raisner finished the game with three goals and three assists, while teammates Kiley Fischer (3) and Meggie Collins (2) also had big games. Goaltender Kelly Collins finished with 9 saves.”We played well all around tonight but unfortunately couldn’t pull out the win,” said coach Annie Pugh.Marblehead scored with .50 seconds remaining to get within three, but couldn’t make up the deficit.”We fought hard until the end. I’m very proud of the girls,” Pugh said.