Central Mass Lacrosse Playoff Race Update: 5/21/17

Grafton and Hopedale (pictured) are already in, but several teams are still scrambling to qualify for the state tournament.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a busy week for Central Mass lacrosse, as several more teams punched their tickets to the state tournament since our last update on Tuesday.

As a quick reminder: MIAA lacrosse teams qualify for their respective sectional tournament either by finishing with a .500 record (with the exception of games against teams not recognized by the MIAA), or by finishing in the Top-2 of their league. Central Mass teams compete in three sections across two divisions (D2 and D3 Central/West, plus D3 Central/East).

Here's a look at who's in, who's out, and who still has work to do.


Division 2 Central/West  

Already In (6): Nashoba (9-7), St. John's (13-3), Shepherd Hill (10-8), Shrewsbury (12-6), Tantasqua (13-5), Wachusett (9-7)

Almost There (0):

On the Bubble (3): Algonquin (6-11), Marlboro (7-9),  North Middlesex (5-10)

Eliminated (4): Fitchburg, Leominster, Westboro. Worcester

Nashoba, Shepherd Hill and Wachusett all punched their tickets to the tournament this week, but three teams are in desperation mode on the bubble. Algonquin needs to win out in Mid-Wach A, and hope for Groton-Dunstable and/or Shrewsbury to fall apart so that the T-Hawks can secure a Top 2 league finish, while Marlboro simply needs to win out to reach .500. North Middlesex is only a half-game out of first place in Mid-Wach C, but the Patriots have no margin for error, because if they fall out of the Top 2, their playoff hopes are dashed.


Division 3 Central/West 

Already In (6): Blackstone Valley Tech (10-4), Grafton (16-2), Monty Tech (11-7), Nipmuc (14-2), Nashoba Valley Tech (12-4), St. Bernard's (12-7)

Almost There (0):

On the Bubble (0): Assabet (7-7)

Eliminated (4): Advanced Math & Science Academy, Auburn, Northbridge, St. Peter-Marian

D3 Central/West is all but determined, as Assabet is the only team unsure of its postseason fate. The Aztecs must win two of their final three games to make the tournament.


Division 3 Central/East 

Already In (5): Bromfield (9-7), Groton-Dunstable (14-4), Hopedale (12-5), Littleton (14-2), Tyngsboro (12-4)

Almost There (1): Lunenburg (9-8)

On the Bubble (1): Oakmont (7-7)

Eliminated (1): Hudson

Lunenburg and Oakmont each need only one win in their final two games and, seeing how they play each other Monday, we know one of them is going to the dance. Meanwhile, Bromfield locked up a postseason berth last week.