Lacrosse: Medfield Ends Marauders’ Run

Belmont High School's boys' lacrosse team may have been a big underdog going into Friday's first round game of the East Division 2 bracket at No. 3 seed Medfield, but the team certainly didn't look like one during the game.

Sparked by a fast-break goal from long-pole defender Mike Wynott early in the second quarter, the Marauders (12-6) rallied back from an early 5-1 deficit to take a 7-6 lead on the Tri-Valley League champions with nine minutes remaining in the game.

However, soon after, Medfield would end a 23-minute scoring drought with a four-goal barrage over two minutes to take a 10-7 lead with four minutes left to play.

Belmont senior captain Wylie Leabo, who missed most of the second half with an injury, came back to score with three minutes remaining, but Medfield (15-4), one of the top programs in the state, held on for a 10-8 win.

"We can't play much better than that," Belmont coach Paul Graham said after the game. "[Medfield] is a great team."

Medfield advances to the quarter finals to play the winner of Saturday's matchup of No. 11 Wellesley at No. 6 Foxboro.

Kubasek, a face-off specialist, scored the go-ahead goal in the fourth quarter off a pass from Martone to cap a 6-1 run that started with Wynott's goal in the second. Kubasek also scored off a Martone assist in the second quarter.

Junior attacker Kevin Sainte had three goals, including the equalizer, which was also the lone goal of the third quarter. He also assisted Leabo's final strike.

Leabo had two assists in the game, senior Dane Caracino one. Sophomore Brian Gramolini had one goal and one assist.

On the defensive end, junior goalie Joe Mocera had seven saves behind long-pole defenders Wynott, Matt Monohon, Mike DiCienzo and Adrian Pearson and Cody Anderson.

Senior Jack McDermott led the way for Medfield with four goals and two assists.

After the game, Graham put the season in perspective for his team, especially for the team's 11 seniors who, according to Graham, have helped put the program on the map.

"I've been a coach for 41 years, made some state finals and done a lot," he told them, "but this team, you guys showed me the most effort I've ever seen from a team. I couldn't have asked you guys for anything more. I'm thrilled to be your coach."

Graham, the Middlesex League Coach of the Year, said senior captains Leabo, Nick Martone and Jasi Kubasek are largely responsible for making Belmont lacrosse what it has become over its first eight seasons.

"When I was a member of the recreation department," he said, "those three kids came up to me and asked for some place to play lacrosse."