 |
| Led by junior goalie Cadrin Msumba, Grafton scored a huge win over Algonquin Saturday, holding the T-Hawks scoreless in the second half. |
Lacrosse season is finally underway in Central Massachusetts and, despite several game cancellations due to snow, some big games have already been played.
If you want to check out all of my CMass Lax previews, click here to view them in our SuitePreps section, and keep reading below for our first Power Rankings of 2015.
1. St. John's (Shrewsbury): 2-0, 0-0 Catholic Conf. D2
So far, so good for the Pioneers, as returning star attack Jared Ward has eight goals in just two games. An opening day scare against Nashoba probably says more about the improved play of the Chieftains, as St. John's looks to be the regional favorite again.
2. Shrewsbury: 2-0, 0-0 Mid Wach A. D2
The reigning D2 Central/West champs may be even better offensively than they were last year, scoring a combined 29 goals in wins over Marlboro and Nipmuc. The defense, which was supposed to be in "rebuild" mode has been fantastic as well, giving up just three goals in those games.
3. Grafton: 2-0, 1-0 Mid-Mass. Division 3
The Indians have the best win of the young season, overcoming a five-goal deficit to defeat Algonquin at Clark University last Saturday. Grafton's stingy defense kept the T-Hawks off the board for the entirety of the second half, led by pole Youkie Azuma and goalie Cadrin Msumba. Don't look now, but this may be the best defense in Central Mass, and we know an attack led by Chase Kapuscienski can score.
4. Westboro: 1-0, 0-0 Mid-Wach A. Division 2
The Rangers face a huge test tomorrow at Algonquin, but started the year with a big win over a Leominster team in transition. Sophomore Trevor McNamara looks comfortable in an expanded role, and star senior middie Jake Foster's three assists on opening day are a great sign that Westboro's offense will again be balanced and diverse.
5. Algonquin: 0-1, 0-0 Mid-Wach A. Division 2
The T-Hawks let one slip away against Grafton, but are still as talented as anybody in the region. We know Algonquin can defend with the best of them, but will they be able to avoid scoring droughts against better defenses? They host Westboro, Nashoba and Western Mass power Longmeadow this week, before traveling to Shrewsbury next Tuesday. The next eight days will tell us a TON about how good this team can be.
In the Hunt: Wachusett (2-0), Groton-Dunstable (1-0), Nashoba (0-1), Worcester (0-0), Tyngsboro (0-0)
The Mountaineers held serve against North Middlesex and Shepherd Hill, and are a testament to the depth of Mid-Wach A. The same can be said about Groton-Dunstable, a D3 team that will cut its teeth in CMass' premier Division 2 league. The Crusaders travel to Nashoba tomorrow for a game that could be a statement for either team.
Thus far the Chieftains only have a two-goal loss to powerful St. John's on their resume, but that's as impressive as many wins out there. Nashoba has played with great teams that last few years, but can the Chieftains break through and pick up some big wins? We'll find out this week with the aforementioned tests against G-D and Algonquin.
Finally, Worcester and Tyngsboro haven't played yet, but each has the potential to score a ton of goals, and Worcester returns one of the region's best goalie in Sean Moran. Grafton looks like the team to beat right now in Division 3, but don't sleep on either of these squads, or G-D.
2 comments :
Colton King might be most underrated goalie in Cmass. He might be the best goalie in Cmass this year. Along with Atwood from Nashoba the Mid WAC A always has talented goalies.
No doubt King is a fine goalie, and has a promising future. Another rising CMass "keep" is Grafton's Cadrin Msumba.
Post a Comment