PEABODY — Thanks in part to a last-minute clutch save and a last-second goal to seal it, the Bishop Fenwick boys lacrosse team notched a 9-7 victory over Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s in the quarterfinal round of the CCL Cup Friday night at Manning Field.
“What a game, that’s exactly what high school sports and rivalry games should be like,” said Fenwick coach Steve Driscoll. “St. Mary’s is a heck of a team and we knew we’d have to battle, and our guys really pulled it out. I think our seniors really took control after that first half, and so many guys stepped up to get us this win.”
Stefano Fabiano led the offensive attack for Fenwick with three goals and one assist, including the final two goals of the game to seal the win for the Crusaders. Liam Hill scored three goals, while Aiden Anthony had a goal and two assists. Manny Alvarez-Segee added two goals, while Max Grenert had an assist. Goalie George Kostolias had 10 saves in the win.
For St. Mary’s, Zach Barden led the way with three goals and an assist. Jackson Field and Seamus Foley scored two goals. Goalie Daniel Domeniconi had 11 saves.
“It was great to see the guys out there competing in a rivalry game in a great format like the CCL Cup, and unfortunately we came out on the wrong end,” said St. Mary’s coach Josh Field. “They’ve got a lot of good players over at Fenwick, and we shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and they were able to take advantage of our mistakes.”
The Crusaders got off to a strong start, getting goals from Hill and Anthony in the first quarter to take a 2-1 lead. St. Mary’s responded right back in the second, as Field scored twice and Foley found the net once to help give the Spartans a 4-3 lead at the half.
After Barden scored another goal to start off the third quarter, Fenwick rattled off two unanswered goals from Alvarez-Segee and Fabiano to tie the score at 5-5.
The two teams traded goals back and forth for the remainder of the game, eventually bringing the score to a 7-7 tie with less than three minutes to go.
Fabiano put Fenwick ahead 8-7 with a goal at the two-minute mark, then Kostolias came up with what turned out to be a game-sealing save with 30 seconds left on a shot from Field. The save allowed Fenwick to gain possession and run a play, allowing Fabiano to score the final goal with 7.2 seconds left.
St. Mary’s (10-6) will have nearly a week off before the state tournament begins.
Fenwick (9-5) will take on Bishop Feehan in the CCL Cup semifinal round Sunday (TBD).