Westwood High girls lacrosse coach Leslie Frank can appreciate that fact that the level of play in the Tri-Valley League has steadily begun to rise toward her perennial juggernaut. But that doesn’t mean the Wolverines are ready to relinquish their dominance.
Westwood remained the only team in the TVL’s brief six-year girls lacrosse history to take home the crown yesterday at Flahive Field. The Wolverines raced out an 11-2 halftime edge on Hopkinton in a 20-7 victory against their closest pursuer.
At 15-0-1 overall 10-0 in the league, the win guarantees a share of the title and all but wraps up the outright crown with Dover-Sherborn and Ashland left on the league slate. Westwood has never lost a TVL contest.
“I love Hopkinton as an opponent, they are really tenacious and very aggressive on the ball,” said Frank. “That’s how you get better. They didn’t come in thinking it’s Westwood, we don’t care, we aren’t going to win.”
Westwood boosted the halftime edge to 15-3 in the second before Hopkinton struck for three straight goals. But the Wolverines put it away with five of the final six scores.
Kelly Rich led the way offensively with four goals and three assists while Megan Lally had a big day from the midfield with four goals and an assist.
Five Wolverines in all had multiple goals as Alex Frank (2 assists) and Erin Massimi each had hat tricks while Jess Lesage chipped in a pair. Erica Nangeroni, Courtney McLaughlin, Misha Beatty and Mary Laughna all had single strikes.
Abbie Brown had what Frank termed her best performance in net this year, making 11 saves.
Five Mustangs scored their first varsity goal as Norwood topped visiting Dedham yesterday.
Typically a goaltender, Chris Arthur took to the attack and finished with two goals and two assists. Brian Rossman had a three-point game with two goals — one more than his brother, Mike — and one assist and Stephan Bottex also netted a pair.
Kevin Nolan and Vin Cawley each picked up their first goals as well, with Cawley also adding an assist.
“Most of the goals were assisted, kids worked the ball around to get everyone some touches and we didn’t have any penalties,” said Norwood coach Tom DeMaio, whose team is now 13-4 overall, 10-4 in the Bay State Conference.
Steve Cottens (5 points) and Mike Notarangelo (4 points) each popped in hat tricks.
The Mustangs will host undefeated Walpole tomorrow.
Despite playing what coach Dave Evans called “their best game of the season,” the Wolverines fell to the host Hillers last night.
“Maybe we’re due for a big one,” he added, with Dover-Sherborn visiting Flahive Field tomorrow night.
Matt White, Matt Springer and Ries McQuillan each scored twice while Pat Maher added a single goal.
“He won all his faceoffs, hustled and for the first time played really smart, under control,” said Evans of the senior attackman.
Westwood (8-8, 6-6) battled back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game before halftime at 5-5.
Chris Rodenbush and Joe Williams also played strong games.
The Wolverines earned a pair of road wins in a day-night doubleheader yesterday, downing the Clockers in the afternoon before edging the Hillers under the lights to move to 11-3.
Both D. K. Law at second singles and Corey DelloRusso and Dan O’Connor at first doubles picked up straight set victories in both matches, with DelloRusso and O’Connor securing the clinching point over Kevin Li and Nish Zel in Hopkinton.
Rob Law at third singles and Teddy Groton and Paul Fitzpatrick at second doubles were victorious against the Clockers while Christian Heaney-Secord won at first singles against the Hillers.
The Rebels moved within a win of the postseason at 9-5 overall and 8-5 in the Bay State Conference with yesterday’s win. Walpole can clinch today against Millis.
Walpole took all five points in straight sets. Chris Johnson and Mike Flaherty survived a first-set tiebreaker in a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win at first doubles while Adam Riegel and James Decelle had an easier time in a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 2
Dean Cohn (6-3, 6-2), Zach Hagopian (6-1, 6-1) and Tim Bergen were singles winner for the Rebels.
Second doubles team Sarah Chen and Kelley Steeves provided the clinching point in a doubles sweep as the Wolverines moved to 9-4 on the season.
Westwood took its points at the bottom three spots. Chen and Steeves were 7-5, 7-5 winners while Kristina Ortloff and Belle Cushing took their first double match 7-5, 6-3. Rachel Tuleja claimed the lone singles point with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3.
The Bears will get a chance to defend their Division 2 South crown, qualifying for the tournament with yesterday’s win to move to 7-3.
Kate Hallet won the day’s closest match, posting a 7-2 tiebreaker win in her 8-7 pro-set victory at second singles. Sravya Malempati (8-2) at No. 1 and Rachel Lord (8-4) at No. 3 were also singles winners.
Francis Walsh picked up a win in her varsity debut for Ursuline, pairing with Tricia O’Hurley for an 8-1 win at second doubles. Virginia Meyer and Michelle Sullivan were also 8-1 winners at first doubles.
