MARBLEHEAD — Friday night featured some wind, some lightning, and a whole lot of rain at Piper Field in Marblehead. Simply put, it wasn’t your ideal lacrosse weather, but in the end, it’s a lot better when you advance to the Sweet 16 and remain 19-0.
No. 7 and still-undefeated Marblehead defeated No. 26 Boston Latin in the first round of the Division 2 state tournament 11-6.
Considering the Marblehead football and boys lacrosse teams have lost just seven times since Connor Cronin joined the programs, one begins to think there’s a Cronin effect.
Spoiler alert out of the Player of the Year in the Northeastern Conference, it didn’t go away Friday.
He fed Gio Garibotto for the first goal of the game after three scoreless minutes, then ripped one low for a 2-0 Marblehead lead.
Granted, his first goal was a bit flashy, but Cronin’s second one a few minutes later was dirty. He found open space in front of the crease, scooped up the ball, then tucked another. Just like that, it was 3-0 in favor of the hosts.
Boston Latin reached double-digit wins for a reason, however, and it showed in the second quarter. Despite Carter Laramie scoring for the Magicians on an up-and-under, Boston Latin stormed back – no pun intended – to tie things 4-4.
But from there, Baxter Jennings scored after gliding to his right and sniping one opposite side. The goal sparked an offensive onslaught for Marblehead, which took a 7-4 lead into halftime.
Two weather delays – one of which was 57 minutes – sent players, coaches, and staff members inside Marblehead High. But when the game resumed, so did Marblehead’s offensive firepower.
Cronin, Reece Moore, and Can Waldman all found twine in the second half to eliminate Boston Latin. Marblehead advanced to face the winner of King Philip Regional and Milton in the Sweet 16.
