BOSTON— If the Bishop Fenwick boys lacrosse team was looking for a jolt of confidence going into Monday’s clash against St. Mary’s, the Crusaders found one Saturday at Paul Saunders Stadium.
Fenwick spotted Boston Latin the first goal of the game but it was all Crusaders from there in a 23-9 rout.
With the victory, Fenwick improved to 12-2 on the season and matched last season’s win total.
“We talked a ton about winning those tough ground balls right off the face-offs, things we haven’t really done in a couple games,” Fenwick coach Steve Driscoll said. “We really fought for those tough ground balls off the face-off, in the middle of scrums. In practice this week we worked a lot on those unsettled situations. It showed in this game that were ready for unsettled situations.”
Nico Pasciuto paced Fenwick’s offense with six goals and three assists. Diego Alvarez-Segee and Robbie Favuzza scored three goals each. Nick Muzi, Derek DelVecchio, Brian Harrington and Kobe Estes poured in two goals apiece. Rounding out the scoring were Stefano Fabiano and freshmen Ethan Henshaw and Jake Westin with one goal each. Muzi, DelVecchio, Estes and Patrick Roach dished two assists apiece. Goalie Garrett Ruszkowski made 10 saves.
It only took Boston Latin 50 seconds to grab a swift 1-0 lead. But the Crusaders jumped back in gear before the Wolfpack built any momentum. Pasciuto knotted the score at 1-1 seven seconds later. That started a 9-0 Fenwick run through the rest of the first quarter. Goals from DelVecchio and Favuzza gave Fenwick a 3-1 lead with 10:20 left in the quarter. Alvarez-Segee joined in on the scoring with 8:56 to go, bumping the lead to 4-1.
“It was a bit of a shock for us,” Driscoll said. “It’s a new place for a lot of our guys to play at. We were hanging out a bit before the game. It was kind of a tough wake-up for us to get going. Anytime they score first it’s kind of like ‘uh oh, wait a second.’ Hopefully we’re in a good mindset where we can check ourselves so that was good.”
Before the end of the opening period, Fenwick poured in five more goals (two from Pasciuto and one apiece from DelVecchio, Favuzza and Harrington) and led 9-1.
With an eight-goal advantage, Fenwick played worry free the rest of the way. Alvarez-Segee scored the first goal of the second quarter. Boston Latin got one back in the final seconds of the half but Fenwick led 14-2 by then. Estes closed the half with a goal, giving Fenwick a 15-2 lead at recess.
Boston Latin came to within 12 of Fenwick with a much-improved offensive effort in the second half. Henshaw’s goal with two minutes remaining capped the 23-9 win.
Fenwick hopes to bring its momentum to Manning Field Monday night (7) when the Crusaders visit CCL rival St. Mary’s. The Spartans handed Fenwick its first loss of the season back in April. Since then, the Crusaders have gone 4-1.
“I can’t wait,” Driscoll said. “I’m excited. I know the boys are excited. I know (St. Mary’s) coach (Josh) Fields is excited. It’s going to be one of those classic ones again. If everybody keeps their composure it’ll be a great high school lacrosse game.
“We’re in a good spot,” Driscoll said. “Now it’s about playoff seeding and hopefully getting a shot the CCL. St. Mary’s is too and that’s what it makes it that much more special.”
