WEYMOUTH — What a season it was for Marblehead’s boys lacrosse team. 21 straight wins — a program best — individual records, and a Final Four berth in Division 2.
Unfortunately, the storybook ending all Magicians wanted ended prematurely, as Marblehead lost to Duxbury 12-4 Wednesday.
Not only did the Magicians have to endure a two-hour journey to Weymouth, but had to wait out a two-hour lightning delay, something done earlier in the tournament, too. Marblehead went back to the locker room trailing 2-1 in the first.
“I told them you will either come out flat or flying. The one thing this group never does is come out flat,” Marblehead coach John Wilkens said.
The Magicians came back out for the rest of the first quarter, but turnovers haunted them.
“We made some bad decisions,” Wilkens said. “Instead of pulling the ball out, we tried to shoot it. When you start forcing, you make errors.”
Marblehead started to find its groove in the second quarter, moving the ball with intent. After a great save from goalie Finn Maniaci (11 saves), the Magicians raced down the field and Connor Cronin found teammate Carter Laramie to cut Duxbury’s lead to one (3-2).
Unfortunately for the Magicians, they were penalized with a controversial two-minute locked-in slash.
With the man advantage, Duxbury scored right away, then added another as the penalty ended to extend its lead to 5-2.
“I thought it was a bad call. It was slash to the head I believe which is normally a one minute, but they decided it was a two-minute locked in,” Wilkens said. “It was a momentum-killer. It ended up being a two or three goal swing.”
Duxbury led 5-2 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Connor Cronin did what he’s been doing all season. Cronin, off of an assist from Baxter Jennings, fired a shot past the Duxbury goalie — much to the delight of the traveling Marblehead faithful.
After the game, Duxbury head coach Chris Sweet knew Jennings and Cronin were the keys to stopping the Magicians.
“It was a simple game plan: don’t let number 22 (Cronin) or number 7 (Jennings) beat us,” Sweet said.
“We knew that was going to happen, that’s been a common theme,” Wilkens said. “They’re a very well-balanced team and have been around the block. Credit to them.”
The Magicians ran out of gas in the final quarter, and Duxbury advanced to the state title game.
Wilkens was proud of his team and the accomplishments it had, nonetheless.
“They’re a great bunch. It was a pleasant surprise this year,” Wilkens said. “It was a great ride. Not many people can say they went 21-0 and made the semifinals… Cast of characters I call them. They’re a fun bunch, I’m going to miss the seniors.”