MARBLEHEAD — The red-hot streak for the Marblehead boys lacrosse team continued its strong play right into the Division 2 state tournament Wednesday night, as the No. 10 Magicians got off to a fast start and kept on rolling in a 15-3 win over No. 23 Hopkinton in the Round of 32 at Piper Field.
With the win, the Magicians have now won 14 of their last 15 games.
It was another huge night for Marblehead’s Josh Robertson in the win. Named Northeastern Conference Player of the Year earlier this week, Robertson finished Wednesday night’s game with three goals and three assists to lead the offensive attack. Carter Laramie added three goals and one assist, while Kai Bontaites notched two goals and three assists. Baxter Jennings and Cole Gallup each scored two goals in the victory, while Trevor Payne notched one goal — his first of the season.
The Magicians struck early and often in this one, starting with a goal from Gallup just 59 seconds into the action. Laramie followed with back-to-back goals — both assisted by Robertson — before Robertson scored a goal of his own. After Grenier found the back of the net for the first time on another assist from Robertson, the Magicians held a 5-0 lead after one quarter.
The scoring slowed a bit in the second, but Marblehead was still able to find the back of the net. Laramie and Gallup both earned tallies in the frame, with Bontaites assisting on both goals. Marblehead took a 7-0 lead into the halftime break.
Robertson and Grenier opened the second half with goals before Bontaites got on the board himself with back-to-back goals midway through the third quarter.
Hopkinton finally got itself on the scoreboard with 1:25 remaining in the third on a goal from Owen MacDonald, but the Magicians answered right back with goals from Payne and Jennings to take a 13-1 lead into the final frame.
With mostly reserves entering the game in the fourth, the Magicians still got one goal each from Robertson and Jennings to round out the scoring in the victory.
Marblehead (16-3) will now move on to the Div. 2 Round of 16, where the Magicians will go up against No. 7 Minnechaug Friday (TBD).
