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| Algonquin sophomore Zach Skowronek scored the game-winner for the T-Hawks against EMass rival Hingham last week. |
By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)
Another week and another set of Central Mass Lacrosse Power Rankings are now in the books.
This week a new school makes its first ever appearance in our Top-5, and a couple of Mid-Wach A squads take a tumble after rough stretches. All teams are hitting the home stretch of the regular season as they fight for tournament position, so let's not waste any more time and get to our brand new rankings.
1. Shrewsbury: 9-3, 5-1 Mid-Wach A. Division 2
Last Week: No. 1
The Colonials scored two more league wins last week, and Thursday's game at Algonquin will likely determine if we have an outright, or co-champions in Mid-Wach A. Before that Shrewsbury will have to get through a tough Grafton team and a Groton-Dunstable team that is finding its footing. Nothing will come easy this week for the Colonials.
2. Algonquin: 8-3, 5-0 Mid-Wach A. Division 2
Last Week: No. 2
The Tomahawks scored their first win over Eastern Mass rival Hingham since 2009 when sophomore Zach Skowronek broke a 3-3 tie late in the fourth quarter, and goalie Colton King iced things away with a few big saves. It was a momentum-building win for the Mid-Wach A leading T-Hawks, and Thursday's game against Shrewsbury will give Algonquin the chance to claim an inside track to an outright league title.
3. St. John's: 8-2, 1-0 Catholic Conf. Division 2
Last Week: No. 3
The Pioneers bounced back from their loss to Shrewsbury with a win over Eastern Mass rival St. John's Prep, then followed up that performance with a victory at Worcester. This week brings a pair of out-of-region challenges as St. John's hits the road to face Western Mass power Minnechaug Monday, then heads East to face Xaverian Thursday.
4. Tyngsboro: 9-0, 6-0 Mid-Wach B. Division 3
Last Week: Unranked
Tyngsboro finally gets its due this week after passing one of its final remaining tests last Thursday against Littleton. Austin Coene, Kyle LaForge, Russ Gillis and the high-scoring Tigers have another chance to earn respect this week with a Saturday home showdown against Groton-Dunstable. That game that should tell us a ton about both teams, and set the tone for the Division 3 Central/East district tournament.
5. Grafton: 9-3, 7-1 Mid-Mass. Division 3
Last Week: No. 5
The Indians suffered a close loss at league foe Tantasqua, but still hold the inside track to a Mid-Mass. title. A bounce back blowout of Nipmuc could be just what the doctor ordered, as the opportunity for a splash win presents itself today against Shrewsbury.
Dropped Out- Westboro (No. 4 Last Week)
In the Hunt: Westboro (5-3), Tantasqua (6-2), Groton-Dunstable (6-4), Worcester (7-4), Marlboro (9-3)
Groton-Dunstable made some noise early last week upsetting Westboro, and followed that up with another league win over Nashoba. Suddenly the Crusaders are looking like a true contender in Division 3 Central/East, and the rest of Mid-Wach A is taking notice. Tantasqua, meanwhile, scored a huge win over perennial Mid-Mass. power Grafton, and the Warriors could grab a share of the league crown if they win out.
Westboro had a rough week, losing to G-D and Algonquin by a combined three goals, but this week brings a new league opportunity against Nashoba. Speaking of the Chieftains, they need a win in the worst way after an 0-3 week, but that's another story.
Worcester acquitted itself respectably against St. John's and won a pair of Mid-Mass. games last week. This Tuesday brings a suddenly huge match up with Tantasqua for the Warriors.
Marlboro continues to score goals in bunches, and the Panthers have Central Mass' leading scorer in senior Billy Doherty. Not much can get in Marlboro's way of a Mid-Wach C title and a tournament berth now.
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