LYNN — It took every second and an overtime, but the Bishop Fenwick boys lacrosse team stepped up in a big way Monday to take down Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s 15-14 at Manning Field.
The Crusaders rallied from four goals down three times before Aiden Anthony scored the game winner to capture Fenwick’s eighth win in nine games.
“This rivalry transcends sports with the schools,” Fenwick coach Steve Driscoll said. “It’s nice to be able to come back and have some resiliency and step and win here.
“I think once we went down 4-0, it was a little bit the coaching staff getting on them and being a little bit loud,” Driscoll said. “But sometimes when it gets in your face and it’s straight onto a high school kid, that’s the best way. Our kids really responded.”
Anthony had four total goals in the game, as did Stefano Fabiano and Manny Alvarez-Segee. Liam Hill added two goals, while Anthony Sasso had one.
“Aiden transferred from Malden Catholic last year,” Driscoll said. “I’m super proud of him and super happy he’s able to excel with us. He’s really bought into our culture we’re building and the lacrosse that we’re playing. He’s been such a great team leader.”
St. Mary’s had their run, mostly thanks to Zach Barden — who scored a game-high six goals and was honored as the Spartans’ lone senior before the game. Jackson Field had two goals, while Sam York, Seamus Foley, Max Field, Harrison Kinne and Colin Martin each scored one goal.
The Spartans also got their looks, with Barden ending regulation on a possession and St. Mary’s starting overtime with the ball.
“It’s a possession game,” St. Mary’s coach Josh Field said. “I think the momentum swung at halftime at least at the center (of the field) on faceoffs. That gave them a few more possessions and obviously they have some really good players and great athletes. Fabiano is quite the player.”
St. Mary’s started lightning fast thanks to a pair of goals from Barden and one each from Foley and York.
Fenwick finally woke up after a timeout and came all the way back to tie things up at 5-5 thanks to a goal from Fabiano to start the second quarter.
But St. Mary’s bounced back, powered by two goals each from Barden and Jackson Field to take a 9-6 lead into the half.
It took the Crusaders all the way until the fourth quarter to battle back again. Alvarez-Segee practically took over the game, scoring a trio of goals in the fourth and putting Fenwick on top 14-13.
Barden evened things up with a goal and after a few unsuccessful possessions, things headed to a four-minute overtime.
That’s where goalie George Kostolias stepped up. The senior made saves on shots by Barden and Kinne before the Crusaders gained possession. St. Mary’s goalie Daniel Domeniconi made one stop but didn’t have a chance on Anthony’s goal, which lifted Fenwick to victory with 2:29 to go in overtime.
“At halftime I think it was 9-6 and it was definitely an absolute battle the entire way,” Driscoll said. “Jackson Fields, Barden and Domeniconi are absolute studs. Probably the better players in the CCL. That’s what’s so great about our league, is when you step on the field you’re going to get a game like that.”
Both teams will see each other again sooner rather than later in the quarterfinal round of the CCL Cup Friday (7) at Manning Field.
Before then, Fenwick (8-4) is at Austin Prep Wednesday (4). St. Mary’s (9-4) has a gauntlet of games this week starting Tuesday (7) at home against Austin Prep.
