Boys lacrosse ends tournament run

Dover-Sherburn's Chris Whelan scored five goals Monday, and added two assists to propel the Raiders past the Norwell High Clippers 12-3 in the first round of the MIAA South Divison 3 lacrosse playoffs.

"They were the better team,'' Norwell coach Tom Flanagan said of Dover-Sherborn, which will play Martha's Vineyard in the quarterfinals. "I was very impressed with they way they played. They're really solid in all phases of the game."

The first quarter ended with Dover-Sherborn up 3-2, thanks to a goal it the last minute. "Goals like that are a bad omen,'' said Flanagan. The Raiders added three goals in the second, then the first two in the third to put the game out of reach.

Though Norwell couldn't match its run to the semifinals in last year's tournament, Flanagan said he was proud of his team, which lost two key attackmen -- Ryan Tierney and Will Delorey -- early in the season.

"They made no excuses,'' Flanagan said. "Half-way through the season, they rebuilt themselves into a defensive squad.''

He cited middie Paul Donovan, the team leader with 55 points, for his all-around play, as well as the goalie Pat Johnston, who made 297 saves. "He saw a lot of rubber,'' said Flanagan.

For next season, optimism is sky high. The Clippers are losing just five seniors, and Johnston, Tierney and Delorey will be back.

"You start with the 12 sophomores who made it all the way to semis last year, then go from there,'' said Flanagan. "We're going to be very, very strong."