Boys’ lacrosse: Puc scores game-winning goal with 23 seconds left, Hopkinton holds off Coe-Brown comeback to reach semifinals
Published: 06-01-2024 11:52 PM
Modified: 06-02-2024 9:39 AM |
Things always seem to come together for the Hawks when it matters the most. With the game tied with just 23 seconds left in the game, senior captain Soren Puc scored the game-winning goal on a high bouncer, junior midfielder Ozzie Rosenholm scored an insurance goal off the ensuing faceoff and No. 3 Hopkinton (12-3) held off a comeback by the No. 6 Coe-Brown Northwood Academy Bears (10-6) to secure an 11-9 victory in Saturday’s Division III boys’ lacrosse quarterfinal.
The Hawks rattled off six straight goals after Coe-Brown scored the first goal of the day to give Hopkinton a 6-1 lead. The Bears went on an 8-3 run after that, cutting the Hawks’ lead to 6-3 at halftime and tying the game with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter.
“We knew if we played well, we had a shot,” CBNA head coach Tony DePalma said. “We’re a young team that’s come a long way this year, with all credit to the kids. They’ve worked very hard, but Hopkinton always plays big in big moments.”
Senior goalie Colby Boissy made 19 saves for Hopkinton to hold off CBNA’s attack and ensure his team advanced to Wednesday night’s semifinal against No. 2 Campbell (15-3). Wednesday’s game will be a rematch of last year’s D-III championship, a game Hopkinton won 7-4.
“Our defense stood on its head, facing many man-down situations and long defensive stands,” Hopkinton head coach Deacon Blue said. “Boissy was gangbusters and made many unbelievable saves”
Out in the field, senior attack and captain Patty Buss led Hopkinton with three goals, two assists and three ground balls.
“Buss comes up big in big moments and Coach Blue is a great coach,” DePalma said. “We didn’t get off to a great start. Lacrosse is a game of inches and you’ve got to play all four (quarters).”
Jackson Westover (two goals, three assists, three ground balls), Merrick Chapin (goal, 2 assists), Puc (goal, assist), Rosenholm (goal, 15-for-21 on faceoffs, 18 ground balls), Brayden Crawford (four ground balls, two caused turnovers), Kaleb Use (two ground balls, three caused turnovers) and Cam Bassett (three ground balls, caused turnover) were the other main contributors for the Hawks.
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“We kept our heads about us and made big plays when it counted,” Blue said. “Hats off to Coe-Brown for a great season and a strong game plan today.”
Freshman attack Sam Frye led Coe-Brown with three goals. Ryan Matson (two goals, assist), Tully Keefe (goal, two assists), Colby Strum (goal, assist), Ryan Rodier (two assists), Joe Fenton (goal) and AJ Kozlowski (goal) also contributed offensively for the Bears. Robert Lee (five ground balls, assist) and goalie Jack Matson (eight saves, assist) led the CBNA defense.
While Hopkinton is back in a familiar spot in the semifinals, a round that the Hawks have advanced to every year since 2015, Coe-Brown will have to wait another year for its first final four appearance.
Still, it was a successful season for the Bears, who made it to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history and tied the program record for most wins in a season with 10 victories.
“This year’s 10-5 felt so much different,” DePalma said, whose squad picked up big victories over Campbell (handing the Cougars one of its two losses to N.H. teams) and 2022 champions Laconia. “There’s a lot more talent and more parity in D-III. We’re trending in the right direction, but we’re still trying to get over the hump.”
Hopkinton will play Campbell in the first semifinal at Laconia’s Bank of New Hampshire Stadium on Wednesday that is slated to begin at 5 p.m. No. 1 Pelham and No. 5 Bow will faceoff in the second semifinal at 7 p.m.
“We look forward to a big rematch with a strong Campbell team,” Blue said. “We will work hard to create scoring, control the ball and maintain the right tempo for the game.”