Big Blue Lacrosse Loses in Overtime, 7-6

Before the fourth quarter began, the day belonged to Swampscott.

Captain Josh Rothwell scored three goals, while backup goalie Justin Nestor, in for starting goalie Max Cohen who suffered a right arm injury in the first quarter, shut out the Fishermen in the third quarter. The Big Blue attack flowed smoothly with sharp passing, while the defense never allowed Gloucester near the crease. 

But once the fourth quarter began, Ian Kennedy and the Gloucester Fishermen took over.

Ian Kennedy scored the last three goals of the game for the Gloucester Fishermen, guiding them to victory over the Swampscott Big Blue, 7-6, in a thrilling overtime matchup on Thursday at Blocksidge Field.

Kennedy’s last two goals in regulation, coming at 5:41 and 4:13 in the fourth quarter, tied the game at six. Kennedy's first fourth quarter goal was unassisted, while his second goal was credited to himself due to the defensive pressure he put on Nestor, who dropped it inside the net to tie the game. Swampscott was unable to respond, forcing the game into sudden-death overtime.

And with just under two minutes remaining in the unofficial fifth quarter, Kennedy found the net to seal the victory for Swampscott.

The Big Blue attack, although notable, could not quite pull away in the third quarter. Swampscott found in the first half, with three goals from Rothwell and one from Brian Santry. However, the only goal in the third quarter came from senior Andy Covino, even though Swampscott got plenty of strong shots off. The Big Blue’s final goal came from Alex Balleza with 8:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Both teams’ head coaches had problems with one of the referees, who was in constant argument with both Swampscott’s Josh Field and Gloucester’s Andrew Domenick throughout the game. As a result of the lack of referee interference, play seemed to get very aggressive between the two teams, with scuffles happening constantly after the whistle was blown.

With Thursday’s loss, Swampscott falls to 1-5 on the season. The Big Blue play Saugus on Sunday at Endicott College as part of the “See by the Sea” lacrosse festival. The three games being played will raise funds to fight choroidermia, an eye disease.