Concord-Carlisle lacrosse hands Reading its first defeat

Charlie Cook first picked up a long pole during Concord-Carlisle’s run to the Division 2 state final last spring, making a smooth transition from his role as a midfielder. In that game, he got a first-hand look at Reading superstar Mike Tobin, who led the Rockets to a 13-9 win for the state title.

So, when Cook was tasked with guarding Tobin down the stretch of Saturday’s rematch at Reading Memorial High, he zeroed in on the challenge.

Cook dispossessed Tobin in the final minute and helped disrupt Reading’s bid for a tying goal in the final seconds to help C-C hold on for an 8-7 victory, handing the Rockets (8-1) their first loss of the season.

“[Tobin] was dominant in the state final,” said Cook. “Basically, I was just trying to play it safe and not go over the top of him, because he’s quick and he can get around you.”

Tobin tallied three goals and two assists Saturday to join his older brother, Kevin, on the short list of 300-point scorers in program history.

The UMass commit provided a leaping goal early in the fourth quarter and netted his third tally with 33 seconds remaining to make it a one-score game, but the Patriots (8-1) were able to hang on.

“Tobin’s a good player,” said C-C coach Tom Dalicandro. “It was tough to watch him get the ball. We couldn’t stop him. Charlie [Cook] was dead tired, but he did an admirable job. He’s not going to stop [Tobin] by himself. Tobin hit a couple of posts down the stretch. It just bounced our way today.”

Concord-Carlisle took a 5-3 lead in the second quarter by capitalizing on transition opportunities, but couldn’t crack Reading’s defense for much of the next two quarters.

Reading junior Charlie Giuliotti logged 18 saves to help the Rockets kill three penalties and maintain a 5-5 deadlock until the final seconds of the third quarter, when Cook picked up a loose ball and scored to make it 6-5 with four seconds remaining.

Patriots faceoff specialist Cole Pascucci found Devin Smith for a goal to start the fourth, and that two-goal cushion proved enough for the visitors.

“We don’t care how [we win],” said Dalicandro, “We just want to compete. Win or lose, this was a big chance to see if we could compete with one of the best teams in the state. [Reading] is a good team and they’re going to be right there in the Division 2 final.”

Duxbury 12, Medfield 7 — Coming off of a dramatic 8-7 overtime win against rival Hingham on Thursday night, Duxbury added an exclamation point to an extremely strong week by knocking off No. 2 Medfield at home.

Junior midfielder Sam Heppenstall led the Dragons (6-3) with five goals, and senior attackman Matt Gill stuck home a pair and notched four assists.

The Dragons shut out Medfield in the second half thanks to some exceptional goaltending by senior Duncan Gillis, who made six of his 10 saves in the third quarter.

“My teammates set me up really well,” said Heppenstall following the victory. “I was just fortunate enough to finish a lot of my shots today.”

After falling behind 3-1, the Warriors (8-1) began the second quarter on a 6-2 run with four of the goals coming from junior attackman Jack McCordic (five goals, one assist) to take a 7-5 lead.

Duxbury called a timeout and finished the half on a 3-0 run thanks to goals by Matthew Peters, Will Prouty, and Jeff McDermott.

“We just changed up our game plan,” said Gillis on what allowed Duxbury to pitch a second half shutout. “We changed our slides and I thought the defense did a great job. They were so impressive [with] the way that they were able to cause turnovers and keep the ball away from our net.”

With Gillis doing the bulk of his day’s work in the third quarter, Duxbury took a two-goal lead into the fourth, 9-7. Heppenstall fired home a goal on the man-up with 10:40 to play before Gill made it a four-goal game 7 with 7:38 remaining, also on the man-up.

Acton-Boxborough 16, Bedford (N.H.) 4 — Eric Raguin had six goals and two assists to lead the seventh-ranked Colonials (8-0).

Concord-Carlisle 8, Reading 7 — Mike Tobin tallied three goals and two assists to top 300 career points but the sixth-ranked Rockets (8-1) fell short in a comeback bid against the ninth-ranked Patriots (8-1).

Nobles 8, Groton 7 — David Jacobs had four goals and Will Zink added two goals and two assists for Nobles (5-3).

St. Anthonys (N.Y.) 20, Lincoln-Sudbury 10 — The top-ranked Warriors (7-2) came up short against the No. 5 team in the nation at the Geico High School Lacrosse Showcase at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.).

Girls’ lacrosse

Duxbury 19, Westborough 4 — Julia Adamski led the 15th-ranked Dragons (6-3) with her five-goal performance.

Oliver Ames 19, Attleboro 3 — Olivia Piazza and Ella Hogan each scored seven goals as the Tigers (3-5) took down the rival Bombardiers (2-8) in a Hockomock league battle.

Worcester Academy 14, Wilbraham & Monson 5 — Senior Grace McShea scored 5 goals, dished out 2 assists, and posted 6 draw controls for Worcester Academy (5-3).

Baseball

St. Sebastian’s 12, BB&N 1 — Junior Matt Joyce struck out seven over six innings of three-hit ball, and Matthew Connelly hit a grand slam for the Arrows (10-1).

Softball

Norwood 5, Sharon 2 — Junior shortstop Emma Maturo went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two steals to back a complete game by senior Amanda Olbrys for the Mustangs (4-0).

Tabor 14, Thayer 5 — Annie Berry launched two home runs as the Seawolves (5-0) rolled past the Tigers (0-6).