Surging Medfield scores upset of No. 2 Xaverian
Ten games into the boys' lacrosse season, things are coming together for a young Medfield squad.
The No. 8 Warriors, 9-1 after holding off No. 2 Xaverian yesterday, 6-5, have struggled offensively at times but have relied on a shutdown defense to pull out victories.
Yesterday's nonleague contest was no different, as each team failed to convert on five power-play opportunities.
"Both teams struggled on the man up," said Medfield coach Bob Aronson. "We have a real young offense and we are still trying to jell. We have two sophomores starting on attack. [The offense] is improving every game but it's not quite there yet."
Jack McDermott (two goals), one of the sophomore attackers, opened the scoring against Xaverian (7-2) on a transition goal from defenseman Jake Smith and then gave the Warriors a 3-1 lead later in the first quarter on another transition play, this time on a feed from Cody Armstrong.
After Xaverian struck early in the second quarter to tie it, it was a stalemate until Max Zuccarini notched his second of three goals, giving Medfield a 4-3 advantage at the half.
The Warriors took a 6-4 lead into the fourth quarter, then turned to freshman keeper Sam Aronson (17 saves). Xaverian sent eight shots at Aronson in the fourth, but scored only once.
Nonleague: No. 5 BC High jumped out to a six-goal goal first-half lead but had to rely on sensational goaltending from David Barton to withstand No. 3 Billerica's rally that fell short as the Eagles prevailed, 11-8.
Baseball
Catholic: Trailing, 2-1, in the sixth inning, Catholic Memorial (5-3, 2-1 Conference) tied the score on an infield single by Brian Glasheen and Anthony Peguero lined a two-out triple, giving the Knights a 4-2 lead and they went on to a 7-4 win over No. 2 BC High. Freshman Matt Goreham pitched a complete game for CM, allowing three earned runs, and Devon Jones and Ben Murphy each had two hits.Dual County: Derek Klinka improved to 3-0 after striking out six as No. 7 Westford blanked Acton-Boxboro, 4-0.
Merrimack: Roberto Valenti and Mark Crowley each had three hits, two runs, and an RBI, leading No. 9 Central Catholic to a 14-3 win over Billerica . . . No. 1 Tewksbury scored six times in the first inning and never looked back in a 12-4 thrashing of Andover.
Softball
Dual County: Lauren Murphy drove in two runs to get No. 12 Acton-Boxboro past visiting Westford, 3-2.Middlesex: Kiki Saveriano hit a two-run home run and pitched seven scoreless innings as No. 13 Lexington stymied No. 3 Reading, 3-0.
Northeastern: Malorie McGrath's two-out, run-scoring single broke a deadlock and sent Swampscott to a 10-9 walkoff victory over Gloucester.
South Coast: Christa Coscia singled off the pitcher's leg, scoring Alyssa Shea from third in the eighth inning to lift Apponequet past Old Rochester, 3-2.
Standings calls for the spring season begin Sunday. League representatives can call between 1 and 6 p.m. at 617-929-3235, 2860, 2861, or 2862. Our toll-free number is 800-232-2860. Standings can be faxed to 617-929-2670 or e-mailed to HSsports@Globe.com. Please confirm all fax and e-mail transmissions.
Chris Forsberg of Boston.com contributed to this report. 