Struggling Season for Swampscott Lacrosse

After seven consecutive postseason contending years, the Big Blue are falling due to a lack of experience combined with a more difficult schedule

Ever since the beginning of Josh Field’s reign as the head coach of the Big Blue lacrosse program, he has never missed a postseason appearance. In 2006 and 2007, the Big Blue, led by defenseman Sam Johnson and leading scorer Alex Junda, began their stretch of postseason runs, with the 2006 season marking Swampscott’s first playoff berth, and latter year of the Johnson-Junda era ending in the second round of the playoffs, a place Swampscott had never been before. In 2008, Swampscott fell to an even 10-10 after going 12-6 in the year before. Guided by A.J. Zarinsky’s record-breaking season on offense, the Big Blue continued on to the playoffs before bowing out to Scituate in the first round. In 2009, Zarinsky missed nine games, but thanks to…

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Big Blue Lacrosse Loses in Overtime, 7-6

Kennedy’s four goals lead Gloucester to comeback victory

Before the fourth quarter began, the day belonged to Swampscott. Captain Josh Rothwell scored three goals, while backup goalie Justin Nestor, in for starting goalie Max Cohen who suffered a right arm injury in the first quarter, shut out the Fishermen in the third quarter. The Big Blue attack flowed smoothly with sharp passing, while the defense never allowed Gloucester near the crease.  But once the fourth quarter began, Ian Kennedy and the Gloucester Fishermen took over. Ian Kennedy scored the last three goals of the game for the Gloucester Fishermen, guiding them to victory over the Swampscott Big Blue, 7-6, in a thrilling overtime matchup on Thursday at Blocksidge Field. Kennedy’s last two goals in regulation, coming at 5:41 and 4:13 …

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Boys Lacrosse Open State Tournament with Win

Gambale and Rothwell Each Score a Pair of Goals in Win

At Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington, the Big Blue faced the 16-4 Minutemen in a Preliminary Round Game. Swampscott scored three First Quarter goals and never looked back to take an 8-3 win. Josh Rothwell got Swampscott on the board just 2 minutes and 13 seconds into the game assisted by Billy Valle and Tony Silva for the early lead. At the 4:17 mark, Rothwell found the back of the net again on a nice feed from Brian Santry. The Big Blue didn't let up. Just 13 seconds later, Long Pole Defenseman Billy Valle grabbed a loose ball off the face-off and fed Joe DeSalvo to make it 3-0. Good defense from brothers Joe and Tony Silva helped NEC All-Star Goalie Max Cohen keep the Minuteman Mustangs scoreless after one quarter. NEC …

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Big Blue Sports

Gambale and Valle named Offensive and Defensive Players of Year

The NEC South Champs placed six players on the NEC South all-star team.

  The Big Blue boys lacrosse team had a strong showing on the NEC all-star team. Senior mid-fielder Matt Gambale was named the Offensive Player of the Year and senior defenseman Billy Valle was named the Defensive Player of the Year. They along with senior attackman Patrick Kennedy were named to the all-star team for the second straight year. Senior defenseman Tony Silva, junior mid-fielder Josh Rothwell, and sophomore goalie Max Cohen rounded out the Swampscott representatives. Swampscott takes on Minutman Regional in the preliminary round of the state tournament Tuesday at 1:30 pm in Lexington.

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Big Blue Sports

Comeback Falls Short

Big Blue Fall in Last Home Game

  At Blocksidge Field, Swampscott took on Division 3 Arlington Catholic (13-4) in a non-league game Thursday. The game was important for the seeding for the upcoming State Tournament. The Big Blue fell behind early and despite tying the game, eventually fell 8-6. The Arlington Catholic Cougars jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead before the Big Blue could get going. Swampscott seniors Patrick Kennedy and Matt Gambale would cut the lead in half. Kennedy first from Gambale and then Gambale from Kennedy to make it 4-2 at the end of the 1st quarter. Josh Rothwell cut the lead to 4-3 with an unassisted second quarter goal. It looked like things would be tied at the half as Gambale scored as the horn sounded, but the referee ruled that the goal had …

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Big Blue Eliminated

Seniors Play Last Game at Dover-Sherborn

  At Dover-Sherborn Regional High School, the Big Blue took on the Raiders. They were the top seed in Division 3 with a record of 15-4. The game was close for a while, but 8 straight second quarter goals ended the season for Swampscott. Dover-Sherborn struck first at the 9:18 mark of the first quarter. Two big saves by Swampscott goalie Max Cohen prevented an early rout. A Raider goal with 5:46 left in the quarter made the score 2-0 after the first. The Big Blue came close to open the 2nd quarter but a Josh Rothwell shot hit the post. But that was the only opportunity they would have. Dover-Sherborn scored 8 goals over the next 11 minutes to take a commanding 10-0 lead. Junior Brian Santry got Swampscott on the board with 25 seconds left …

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Big Blue Sports

Boys Lacrosse Game Changed to 2 p.m.

Swampscott takes on Newburyport in State Tournament

The game between the Big Blue and the Newburyport Clippers has been changed to a 2 p.m. start in Newburyport. Newburyport had an extremely successful season.  The two teams have played three common opponents this year. Hamilton Wenham, Manchester Essex, and North Reading. Newburyport was 2-1 with their loss to Hamilton Wenham. Swampscott was 0-3. Newburyport is led by brothers, Steve and Tyler Matses. Swampscott will be without leading scorer, Sean Lannon, who suffered a broken finger last week.

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Big Blue to Take On Newburyport in State Tournament Rematch

Seven players named to first-team NEC all-stars

Swampscott will take on Newburport  on Tuesday with a tentative start of 5 p.m. The game will be played at Newburyport.  The teams met last year in the first round and Newburyport won 13-5. Newburyport is the 11th seed with a record of 13-3. In other news, seven players were named First Team Northeastern Conference All-Stars. Senior Sean Lannon was named for the second straight year but will miss the game due to an injury.    Defenseman Tyler Faulkner and Captain Chris Mason were the other seniors named to the team.  Juniors Matt Gambale, Patrick Kennedy, Richie Sullivan, and Billy Valle will all play in the game which is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. in North Reading.  Juniors Michael Hamel and Tony Silva were named Second Team NEC…

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Big Blue Sports

Swampscott Stuns Martha's Vineyard

Big Blue knocks off 18th ranked Vineyarders

At Blocksidge Field, 18th ranked Martha’s Vineyard made the long trip to take on the Big Blue. Swampscott would be without Captain Sean Lannon and was coming off a two-game losing streak. The non-conference game meant little except for positioning in the state tournament.  Swampscott jumped out early and then held on. Five different players scored as they stunned Martha’s Vineyard 5-3.  Swampscott struck first. Patrick Kennedy pressured  MV goalie Nelson Dickson and deflected his clearing pass. Josh Rothwell scooped up the errant throw and then fed Kennedy for the goal and a 1-0 lead at the 7:24 mark. Just a minute and twenty seconds later, it was Rothwell’s turn to score assisted by Kennedy and Matt Gambale for an early two goal lead. …

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