Belchertown-La Lacrosse of Belchertown Boys won a drought from almost Friday, and demolished Wahconah by First time since 2015.
In a fast Friday game, the Orioles came from the victory, 16 to 14, behind a dominant six -goal performance by Patrick Fuller and a half -game push that saw them score six unanswered goals.
It was the first victory for Belchertown (2-5) since the victory open to the season over Granby, winning a five-game streak. And it took place against a Wahconah team who had beat the Orioles in nine games.
It was a real effort from the team, with seven different players who found the back of the network and others increased their assists and defensive plays.
“It was a hard stretch,” said Fuller. “It is always difficult to lose five games in a row, but we have won a good victory with a lot of goals from many people. I think this will give us a lot of energy in our next game.”
Belchertown’s victory marked an important milestone for the first year’s main coach Josh Wallace, who saw his team gathered one of his most complete performances of the season.
“There are a couple of games that we were able to win and we simply did not combine it as a team,” said Wallace. “I’m glad to see the ball on the team today and play together and work as a unit.”
Wahconah (1-8) ended last year winning 16 games, a mass mass title. Western, and made a deep state tournament, moving forward in the quarterfinals and fell to Norwell 11-3.
But this year’s warriors are in transition, missing the elderly like Rylan Padelford and others, and while returning the seniors Devin Lagerwall (5 goals) and Owen Brennan (3 goals, 5 assists) and the first student Kessler Anello (6 goals) came up with the challenge, it was not enough to stop a team of Belchertown who found his rhythm in Belchertown. Perfect moment.
Wahconah began the second quarter fort, building a first tied period (2-2) and got a 6-5 advantage at halftime.
Brennan and Lagerwall were essential to establish the tone soon, and Brennan made it easier for Migger and Lagerwall found the back of the net four times in the first half. Anello also collided with a goal, while Wahconah looked at the distance.
But Belchertown flew the game with a marker avalanche that started at the end of the second quarter and held the third.
Fuller was the spark, scoring twice before half and turned on a six -goal unanswered throw.
“Fighting the advantage in the first half was important,” said Fuller, “and keeping this advantage, I felt that we kept the ball quite well, took our possibilities and played a good defense, especially in the third quarter.”
Adam O’Rourke also scored two goals during the stretch, while MITS (2 goals, 1 attendance) and Gavin Harrington added one. At the end of the third, Belchertown turned a goal deficit into a 9-6 advantage and never re-departed.
But Wahconah did not fold. Anello came to life in the final stretch, scoring four of his five goals in the second half to return the warriors at an amazing distance.
Brennan continued to be the engine of Wahconah’s attack, attending three of Anello’s goals and scored a couple of goals in the last minutes to get the Warriors final score to a total of 14.
But Fuller was still too hot.
She scored six goals in total, including a quarter -quarter critical couple to keep Belchertown’s pillow and bring her team leadership to four. Charlie Fijal and O’Rourke also provided key goals to prevent Wahconah’s comeback.
It was the more goals that the Warriors have set in a game this season, as they showed a shin of offensive progress that could serve as a turning point, as they are regrouping advancing.
“The focus will be the little things: the ground balls, speaking in defense, changing the planes while shooting, only the little things,” said Matt Fisher, Wahconah coach. “Today it hurts us.
Wahconah will then host South Hadley (1-6) at home on Tuesday, April 29, while Belchertown arrives on the road to take Chicopee Comp (1-5) that same afternoon.