Foxborough Lacrosse Defeats Rival Mansfield

Foxborough showed how dangerous their depth can be today. Going into today’s game, Mansfield thought that shutting down Connor Whalen and Billy Roberts would be the key to victory. It was instead James Stather who led the way with 5 goals in a 9-6 win over Mansfield.

“James Stather today stepped up today. Any day it could be someone different on the attack. Today it was James’ turn,“ said Warriors coach Matt Noone.

In a game where the neither team could get beyond a 1 goal lead for most of the game. Stather was a one man show on offense for the Warriors.

Down late in the 1st 1-0, Stather scored the first of his 5 goals off a bounce pass from the left side of the goal to tie the game up at 1. Two minutes later Stather would strike again. Getting a pass from Tyler Ames, Stather would get another goal right in front of the net to make it a 2-1 game after a quarter of play.

Mansfield managed to keep it a tight game soon after the goal. Blayne Taylor would get the goal off of a rebound to tie it up 2-2 early in the 2nd quarter. In a game where goals and clean looks were hard to come by, it would become a game of second chance shots and quick looks. Foxboro would take the lead back thanks to another James Stather goal off of a rebound to make it a 3-2 game. It would not be long until Mansfield’s response. Dylan Finerty would tie the game and bring both teams to halftime at 3.

Coming out of the half, Mansfield looked to set the tone. Alec Armstrong would give the Hornets a 4-3 lead and their first one since 1-0.  

As soon as Mansfield looked like they were about to get momentum over Foxborough, the Warriors would come back to tie the game. Taking advantage of being a man up, Billy Roberts slammed in a goal from the left off of a pass from Jake Hyand to make it a 4-4 game.

Not long after Robert’s goal, Mansfield’s Blayne Taylor would strike again to give Mansfield a 5-4 lead with 2:08 left in the 3rd quarter. The lead would not be held for long. Jake Hyland would score again for Foxboro to tie the game at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Foxborough would quickly use that momentum to regain the lead at 6-5. Seeing a quick opening, Billy Roberts would get his 2nd goal of the game to put the Warriors up by 1 with 11:30 to go in the game. Up a man, Mansfield would score early in the 4th quarter to tie the game at 6 off of a Tim Shield goal but it would be the final goal for the Hornets.  

Dan McCarthy would get the Warriors up 6-7. His goal was quickly followed up with another goal from Jake Hyland. James Stather would cap off the Warriors’ scoring attack with a goal after shaking loose a double team behind the net for a quick shot to cap off a 3 goal win for the Warriors.

It was a tough game for the Warriors who were tested by their rivals and challenged for most of the game.    

“Anytime you beat the green its meaningful,"  said Foxborough coach Matt Noone. “They’ve been around awhile, a lot longer than we have so its good to see that we were able to win at our own field.”

For Mansfield it was another tough loss for a team trying to show they can compete with quality teams.

“Foxborough is absolutely as advertised,” said Mansfield coach Craig Juelis. “In our locker room we can hang with anyone……We just have to bring it together.”

In addition to James Stather’s 5 goals, Billy Roberts scored 2 goals for the Warriors. Jake Hyland and Dan McCarthy both scored 1 goal each. In goal, Greg Stamatov once again had a solid game stopping 10 shots for the Warriors.

For Mansfield, Blayne Tayler and Dylan Finerty both led scoring with 2 goals each. Alec Armstrong and Chris Shield each got 1 goal. In net for the Hornets, Matt Dolliver also stopped 10 shots for the Hornets.

Foxborough will have the weekend off, but will go right back to work on Monday at 3:30 at Framingham High School. Mansfield will be off until Wednesday when they travel to Sharon for another Hockomock League game.