BOURNE — With less than two minutes remaining in Saturday’s Division 1 state championship lacrosse game, things looked pretty good for No. 2 St. John’s Prep at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
The Prep led top-ranked Boston College High, 7-5, with goalie Mattheus DuPlessis (16 saves) standing on his head, making pivotal saves.
A fifth consecutive state title looked secured, but BC High dug deep and tucked two late goals, courtesy of Murphy Belvin and Nick Emsing with 28 seconds remaining in the fourth.
But a minute-and-a-half into sudden-death overtime, Prep’s Luke Kelly let one fly from 12 yards out and scored to win the game, 8-7.
The next thing you knew, sticks, helmets, and gloves were thrown in the air to celebrate the latest chapter of Prep’s dynasty.
And what a game it was. Prep’s offense – as versatile as ever – received goals from Kelly, Cam McCarthy, Ryan McCarthy, Beckett Lee, Madden McGowan, Bo Minogue, Josh Haarmann, and Mac Crawford.
Face-off ace Will Crawford won 10 of 19 draws, while Kevin Correa added an assist. Sam Wilmot, Jack Weissenburger, Ryan DeLucia, and Owen Williamson played strong defense.
This one didn’t start well for Coach John Pynchon’s Eagles, who trailed, 3-0, just five minutes into the action and 3-1 after one quarter.
But good programs respond. The Prep rattled off the next five goals to lead, 6-3, at halftime.
Saturday’s win capped off a 22-1 season for The Prep, which picked up tournament wins against No. 31 Medford, No. 18 Wellesley, No. 5 Westford Academy, and No. 3 Lincoln-Sudbury en route to BC High.
BC High fell to 19-4.
