Led By Tobin and Geiger, Reading Wins State Lacrosse Title

By Mason Haynes, Patch Correspondent

Despite claiming the first goal of the game for Reading, Jack Geiger’s unassisted shot wouldn’t be enough to keep Concord-Carlisle at bay for the first period. By the end, the Patriots had pulled ahead, tallying four goals and holding a 4-1 lead after the first 12 minutes. But Reading's slow start didn't last long and the Rockets came back to take a 13-9 win in the Division 2 lacrosse state championship game Saturday at Boston University.

Quarter two started the comeback for the Rockets with Michael Tobin scoring back-to-back goals within a minute of each other, cutting the deficit to 4-3. The Patriots responded with two of their own, making it 6-3. Before the quarter was over, Geiger scored another unassisted goal to bring Reading within two, 6-4.

“We lost to them in the scrimmage, and lost to them in the regular season." said Geiger. "For both of those games we didn’t have our full squad, so I knew we were going to come out today and surprise them and get a win.”

With that full squad, and with the help of a great defense led by Noah Donovan, Jack Giuliotti, and goalie Charlie Giuliotti, the Rockets were able to come out and tie the game at 6-6 by the middle of the third quarter with Geiger and Tobin scoring. Before the end of the third, Tobin (5 goals) scored two unassisted goals and Geiger (4 goals) added one to finally put the Rockets ahead of C-C, 9-6.

In the final period other Rockets joined in the scoring. Senior attack Daniel Cranitch scored an incredible goal that made it 10-6. After a flurry of shots from both teams, Cranitch responded to Concord-Carlisle’s goal with another unassisted score to make it 11-7. It wasn't over though as the Patriots responded with two more goals, putting the score at 11-9.

Domenic Masucci helped seal the win with two goals for Reading with just under two minutes left, one of which was assisted by Jack Stanton.

“Michael and Jack helped carry us the whole game, I was just there to take the opportunities,” said Masucci.

The Patriots wouldn't score again and Reading celebrated a 13-9 win.

“The seniors are happy,” said coach Charlie Hardy when asked how it felt to win a state championship. Happiness is an understatement. After three long years of chasing a state title and falling short, this year was different for Reading's nine seniors. The Rockets were finally able to bring back the trophy that said, "State Champions."

Patch Photo by Mason Hayne