Downright Offensive Billerica Boys Lacrosse Beats Rockets

The Needham High boys' lacrosse team didn't have the firepower Wednesday night to match a potent Billerica offense, led by senior All-American Grant Whiteway and sophomore Cameron Slatton, in the quarter finals of the East Division 1 tournament.

Needham (19-3), the No. 5 seed, went down early, as Billerica scored six unanswered goals in the first quarter and led 10-2 at the half. Needham never fully found its rhythm, eventually losing 15-7 on the road.

"These guys, top to bottom, were ready for us," Rockets coach David Wainwright said, "and they executed real well. I'm still proud of our guys though. We had a great season, and they fought hard until the end."

No. 4 seed Billerica (20-2), of the Merrimack Valley Conference, has a tough task ahead. The team advances to play six-time defending state champions Duxbury (21-1), the No. 1 seed, on the road at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Whiteway found his stroke early, scoring five of his team's six first quarter goals and then netting two more in the second. For the game, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst-bound attacker had nine goals and one assist.

"Our team's just not used to seeing a kid that good, so it took us a little while to adjust," Wainwright said. "He's got such a quick release on his shot, which really makes him dangerous from anywhere."

Slatton had three goals and six assists in the game.

Senior attacker Franz Brinkhaus got Needham on the board in the second off an assist from junior All-American Will Stenberg. Brinkhaus then scored again with 4 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the half to make it 8-2. However, Whiteway answered with two goals in the final two minutes of the half.

The Rockets took control to start the second half, dominating possession and scoring two goals to pull within six at 10-4. Sophomore Mark Riley netted the first off a pass from Brinkhaus with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter. Stenberg, a tri-captain, put home the second about 20 seconds later. However, Billerica was able to respond again with three quick goals before the quarter expired to put the score at distant 13-4.

Stenberg scored off a Brinkhaus (2 goals, 2 assists) assist in the fourth. Later in the fourth, seniors Kevin Cray and Greg Angel finished their high school careers with goals to make the final 15-7.

Despite the score, senior Robby Hurd played well in goal with 12 saves behind long-pole defenders Zach Morgan, Kerry Hecker and Daniel Kavanaugh.