By Ryan MacInnis, Globe Correspondent

The BC High lacrosse team got its first lead with 3:04 left in the third quarter and never looked back, edging host Westford Academy, 11-9, in a Division 1 first round game.

Westford came out strong, thanks to a goal 24 seconds into the game by junior Ben Katz, and held a 4-1 lead with four minutes to go in the first half. The Eagles battled back, however, and pulled within one going into the half, 7-6.

“I don’t think we were ready coming out for their speed and their shooting and that first half they just jumped on us quick, 4-1,” said BC High coach Ted Bibeau. “After that we tried to settle down and work our matchups. Once we got over that hump, we were able to hold on to [the lead].”

“Lacrosse is a game of runs and you have to weather the storms just like they did early,” said Westford coach Matt Tholander. “Our offense got away from what we normally do, which is to posses the ball and not force it. They’re a very solid, defense-oriented team and we forced the ball into some very bad looks, which caused them to get some good looks in transition.”

The Eagles’ performance featured five scorers. Seniors Brendan Hogan and Joe Buckley led the way with three goals apiece. Senior goalie and Merrimack college recruit Jonathan Barton made some key saves for BC High, holding sophomore sniper Jay Drapeau and senior captain Alex Eaton to three goals combined.

“It seems like all year, sometimes [Barton] is a little shaky but he makes the really timely ones,” said Bibeau. “He made some big saves for us all year and again today. We’re going to need that moving forward.”