Wakefield Boys' Lax Falls to Burlington in OT

Wakefield Memorial High School’s Kevin Doherty scored the tying goal with just nine seconds remaining at Burlington High School on Wednesday, but it was Burlington’s Chris Litchfield who netted the game-winning score for the Red Devils in sudden death overtime on a running shot, putting Wakefield away 10-9.

“The last two minutes of the game was probably the two best minutes of lacrosse we’ve played all season long,” said fifth-year WMHS coach Eric Gobiel.

“The kids should be proud of their effort today. It’s a tough loss, we’ve had quite a few of those this season, but, again, something to build on going into Friday’s game against Reading.”

Wakefield falls to 5-7, while the Red Devils improve to 7-5 on the season.

The Warriors trailed the entire game and Burlington held a three goal lead three separate times.

The first Burlington lead came at the start of the game, with Burlington’s third goal  netted on a Wakefield turnover at Burlington’s own net. The second three-goal lead occured going into halftime at 6-3. And the third three goal lead for the Red Devils was in the middle of the fourth quarter when they were up 9-6.

The Warriors made it a two-goal game, 9-7, just four minutes after Burlington’s ninth goal, after a pass was received across the field for Wakefield’s score.

Doherty then brought Wakefield just one-goal behind, 9-8, with 24 seconds left after numerous misses by the team. Wakefield then got the faceoff with 16 seconds remaining and took a timeout.

At nine seconds, Doherty slammed the ball in past Burlington goalie Chris Ikier and it was 9-all.

But Burlington earned the faceoff and Chris Litchfield buried the ball in the back of the net, scoring against Sam Bridges, ending Wakefield’s enthusiasm and intensifying Burlington’s and its fans.

“Today the kids, the kids played a great fourth quarter,” Gobiel said. “They worked hard and we had a ton of shots. We didn’t connect on a lot of them, but we got the opportunities that we needed.

“Sam did an outstanding job in net today,” continued Gobiel. “He kept the game close the entire time, he came up with big saves when we needed it, and you know in the fourth quarter, again, just did a tremendous job keeping the game close and allowing us to get offensive possessions and tie the game.

“(Burlington’s) a good team. They’re a good team, they’re very sound defensively (and) their goalie (Ikier) is tremendous. Their goalie was a difference for the game today, he played a great game.”

For Wakefield, Michael Dellanno scored a hat trick and made one assist, Corey Davis scored twice and Alec Brown and Ryan Doherty each made one goal and two assists.

Next up, Wakefield hosts Reading High School on Friday at 4 p.m.

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