WHS boys lacrosse state tourney run ends in the Elite 8 after a big win in the Sweet 16

The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team’s run in the MIAA Division 4 state tourney came to a conclusion this past Saturday with a 14-8 loss at Ipswich this past Friday. The Vikings were the fifth-ranked team in D-4 and Ipswich was ranked fourth.

“We knew Ipswich was going to be a tough game going in,” said WHS head coach Brian Donnelly. “They are just a super-solid team fundamentally and well-coached. They are a solid squad and have put up some impressive wins and close games against some powerhouses. 

“It was an exciting game that went back and forth throughout a lot of the game. They scored the first couple, but we were able to battle back, and it was a back-and-forth game until late in the second when they took over by scoring a couple of quick ones before the half. We came out of the half and were able to score a couple to get it within four until we just stopped being able to find the net.”

Seth Sacco scored four goals for the Vikings, with Ace Daignault netting a pair and Paul Ferrara and Tony Bordanaro scoring a goal apiece.

The Vikings had advanced to the Elite 8 after putting together a superb performance with a 17-4 triumph over East Bridgewater in a Sweet 16 contest on Thursday at Miller Field. 

“We played a fantastic game against East Bridgewater,” said Donnelly, “We came out flying and never looked back the whole game. Our first half was just explosive, and we probably looked the best we have all year. 

“We had six different guys get a goal, which is always the type of lacrosse you want to see,” Donnelly continued. “Matt Maddalone was excellent at face and got his first hat trick of the season. Paul Ferrara was dominant off the edge and just continued to be all over the field. Seth Sacco put together a dominant game once again and ended up scoring his 100th goal of the season during the game. Ace Daigneault also found the net six times and was unstoppable. 

“Our defense played just an excellent game, and really stopped any offensive movement they had,” said Donnelly. “I was really proud of the guys to get this win at home. It allowed us to travel to the Elite 8, a round we have never been to in the tournament.

“I am just really proud of the season that these guys put together this year,” the coach added. “We had an excellent mix of student-athletes, and they were just a really fun group to coach. They were focused when they needed to be and had fun competing all season.”

Donnelly and his crew will put the finishing touch on their outstanding season with the annual team banquet next week.