Giving every indication that it’s intent on defending its 2015 Division I title, the Pinkerton Academy boys’ lacrosse squad rolled over three more opponents last week in upping its 2016 record to 6-0.
What’s more, the academy stickers took care of business impressively in not one but two states during the week, hammering Billerica (Mass.) by a 20-12 tally, Manchester Central by a 16-1 score, and then rival Londonderry by a 16-3 mark in spring Beeman Trophy play.
In the bouncing of Billerica in the Bay State Wednesday, April 20, the Astros led 5-3 after one quarter, 10-4 at the half, 13-10 when three periods had been completed, and they put the win away by outscoring their host by a 7-2 tally in the final stanza.
Goalie Alex Sturgess contributed 10 saves for the victors while veteran stalwart James Tulley enjoyed a stellar 10-point game with seven goals and three assists.
Ryan Auger was good for four goals and an assist, Brett Datillo notched two goals and one helper, Chris Valentine bagged two tallies, Sean Donahue and Tom Sweeney each registered a goal and an assist, and single markers were snared by Cam Richard, Carter Young, and Connor Delea.
The Astros were even more dominant against Manchester Central on Thursday, April 21, tallying leads of 6-0 after one period, 8-1 at the half, and 14-1 rolling into the last stanza.
Matt Wolenski made five saves in the PA cage, and the prolific scoring attack was made up of a five-point effort from Colin Philipon (four goals, one assist), three goals from Colin Coutts, two goals each from Adam Morin, Drew Strople, and Shawn Tewksbury, a goal and two assists from Owen McCormack, a goal and a helper from Liam Rooney, one tally from Kayden Baillargeon, and an assist apiece from Auger, Sweeney, Gennaro Mara, and Zach Currier.
Then two days later in spring Beeman Trophy play at Londonderry High, the Astros dealt their longtime rival a 16-3 drubbing that opened up nicely in the second half after PA had modest leads of 3-0 after one period and 4-0 at halftime.
PA keeper Sturgess was good for nine saves in his team’s net, and offensive magic was created by Datillo (six goals, one assist), Auger (three goals, five assists), Strople (three goals, one helper), and Valentine (two goals, two assists), with single goals being potted by Delea and Philippon and one assist coming from Sweeney.
The undefeated academy side aimed at remaining that way on Monday when it traveled to the seacoast to take on the Dover High Green Wave group and its 1-3 record.
And the now 7-0 academy males had no trouble with the Dover crew, powering their way to a 17-1 victory behind eight points from Ryan Auger (two goals, six assists), four tallies from James Tulley, three goals from Colin Philippon, a five-point match from Chris Valentine (two goals, three assists), two scores from Owen McCormack, a goal and an assist from Nick Sturgess, and one goal apiece from Drew Strople, Zach Currier, and Jeff Bukunt.
Astro midfielder Sean Donahue makes his way past a Lancer defender on Saturday during their 16-3 Beeman Trophy contest win. Photo by Chris Paul
