Talk about a versatile offense – 16 goals, 13 goal-scorers, and one big win for top-ranked St. John’s Prep, which seeks its fourth consecutive state championship later this month.
The host Eagles exploded against No. 16 Natick, 16-2, behind three goals from Drew Bossi, punching their ticket to the Division 1 Elite 8 against No. 9 Franklin (Friday at 5 p.m.).
They led, 6-0, after the first quarter and took advantage of running time with a 14-goal lead heading into the fourth.
It was quite the day for Jake Vana of the Prep. The win came just hours after he was recognized at Salem Country Club as the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year alongside Peabody’s Abby Bettencourt.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Sandwich 16
Swampscott 10
In the Round of 16 in Division 4, No. 12 Swampscott met its match against No. 5 Sandwich in a 16-10 final. Cecilia Tripp and Coco Clopton each netted hat tricks in defeat.
The Big Blue – who check out with a 16-4 record and as winners of the Northeastern Conference Lynch Division – also received help from Avery Laundry (2 goals), Sophia Ciciotti (goal, assist), Chloe Puzzo (goal), Victoria Pierro (assist), and Lilah Caplan (9 saves).
Ipswich 17
Lynnfield 10
No. 4 Ipswich had its hands full with No. 13 Lynnfield, but unfortunately for the Pioneers, an upset wasn’t in the cards. Truth be told, both teams had their hands full with a 90-minute lightning delay, but a nine-goal second half did the trick for Ipswich.
BASEBALL
Lynnfield 2
Oxford 0
This one was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, but that’s when Dylan Damiani of the top-ranked Pioneers had enough against No. 17 Oxford.
“Dylan Damiani, huge single to bring in the first run to break the tie, then first baseman Matt Papagikos [on a] fielder’s choice,” said Lynnfield coach John O’Brien. “The (Oxford) kid made a great play, but we got the run at home. That was all she wrote.”
Madux Iovinelli got the start and didn’t disappoint, tossing a complete-game shutout to go with seven punchouts.
“He did a great job,” O’Brien said.
Lynnfield connected on just five hits, but Oxford had three.
“The defense played great on both sides,” O’Brien said. “That was the best pitching we’ve faced (in the tournament). We hit the ball hard and they made the plays, but in the sixth, Dylan had the big hit.”
The Pioneers host No. 24 Salem this Saturday at 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Lynnfield 3
Bromfield School 2
You might have had a feeling this would be close. Only three spots separated No. 6 Bromfield School and No. 3 Lynnfield, but this one belonged to the Pioneers.
Lynnfield’s doubles units fought hard, but couldn’t escape with any points. That said, Paige Martino, Lily Alves, and Maddie Sieve went 1-2-3 in singles play, with Sieve’s match serving as the clincher.
The Pioneers advanced to the Final 4 in Division 4 against Saturday’s winner of No. 2 Manchester-Essex and No. 10 Monomoy. The day and time are to be determined.
BOYS TENNIS
Swampscott 3
Gloucester 2
Swampscott’s boys tennis team is still alive after reeling in the No. 6 Fishermen, 3-2, on home courts. The third-seeded Big Blue found themselves in a 1-1 tie after Charles Schepens’ first singles win, but the doubles teams won in quick succession to clinch victory.
Swampscott takes on the winner of Saturday’s match between No. 2 Bedford and No. 7 Dover-Sherborn in the Division 3 Final 4 (TBD).
Lynnfield 4
Cohasset 1
No. 1 Pioneers, welcome to the Final 4 of Division 4.
Host Lynnfield defeated No. 9 Cohasset, 4-1, behind singles wins from Shea McCarthy and Shlok Kudrimoti. From there, Russell Kasdon and Brendan Sokop picked up a doubles victory, followed by another from Matt Reinold and Kurt Rothermund.
