2015 CMass Lacrosse District Finals Preview

Grafton will be looking for revenge, and a district title, against Mt. Greylock Saturday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

After a thrilling semifinal round, only two Central Mass teams remain alive in the MIAA lacrosse tournament.

I won't waste any more time on intros, let's get right into what it will take for Algonquin and Grafton to win district championships.
Division 2 Central/West

Algonquin vs Longmeadow: Friday, 7 pm at West Springfield High School

We were oh so close to an all CMass final, but Longmeadow edged St. John's 8-7 in overtime, with star junior Will Lukas scoring a goal at the buzzer of the overtime period. The Lancers will have to rely on Lukas, who both tied and won the game against the Pioneers, as Algonquin brings in a much different team than the one that fell to Longmeadow 9-2 earlier this year.

That T-Hawk squad was prone to long scoring droughts, leaving its excellent defense exposed. Now, with the emergence of sophomore attack Zach Skowronek, the continual improvement of seniors Alex Sabel and Matt Larsen, along with an offensive explosion from middies Mike Martens and Paul Luongo, Algonquin suddenly has a lethal, and versatile offense.

Expect a closer affair this time around, as Algonquin's excellent poles and goalie Colton King should fare much better when the offense in front of them is putting pressure on the Lancers.

Division 3 Central/West

Grafton vs Mt. Greylock: Saturday, 4 pm at West Springfield High School

Here it is, the game Grafton has been building toward for the last year. In 2014, the Mounties bested Grafton 7-4 in the district title game, and you better believe the Indians are out for revenge.

After dispatching Lee by a final score of 21-2, Grafton has now outscored its two playoff opponents by a combine 31 goals, and surrendered just four scores. The Indian defense is as healthy as it's going to be, and seems to be playing its best lacrosse, while the attack led by Chase Kapuscienski and the talented midfield seem to be pouring it on.

The only issue has been competition. We already knew the Indians could beat Northbridge, and Lee was hardly a challenge for them last year. Will Grafton be able to play back up for its biggest challenge yet? If they can match Mt. Greylock's speed and intensity, the Indians have the talent, and now, experience, to capture a district crown.