RallyNorth.net

A solid defensive scheme and talented goalie are always vital in lacrosse, never more so than in the state tournament.

That message was reinforced yesterday in the Gloucester boys' Division 1 East preliminary round game at Lowell.

Can you think of a more satisfying way to clinch a tournament spot than by beating your fiercest rival on their home turf?

The Gloucester Fishermen (9-9) boys lacrosse team can now answer that question after beating Danvers, 11-9, last night in both teams' regular season finale. With the win, Gloucester awaits word on their next opponent which they'll find out tomorrow.

With its postseason hopes riding on the outcome, the Fishermen picked an opportune time to make history. Gloucester (8-9) knocked off perennial NEC champion Beverly, 6-5, in overtime yesterday when senior attackman Jeremy Fanning (4 goals, 1 assist) scored two minutes into the OT. Avenging a 13-6 loss earlier in the season, the Fishermen beat the Panthers for the first time in school history.  

For three quarters, the Gloucester boys lacrosse team turned in a very competitive effort against Hamilton-Wenham.

But in the end, the Fishermen were done in by the fact that they were missing a number of starters for different reasons.

The Fishermen rebounded from a loss to Marblehead last week, with a much-needed win this time around.

Jeremy Fanning scored a hat trick for Gloucester (5-7), while Joe Falzarano and Jared Toye also added goals.

Boys lacrosse is starting to gain popularity on Cape Ann, with the organization of the relatively young youth and the Gloucester High programs, and given that some of the sport's most fundamental elements are easily recognizable to local hockey and football fans.

Danvers captain Steve Kontos broke an 8-8 tie with nine minutes to play to lift the Falcons (5-6) to a pivotal NEC win, 9-8 over Gloucester. Eric Sands had a solid day with three goals while Kontos finished with a pair and three helpers. Danvers, which led 6-4 at the half, got single goals from Jay Sabino, Steve Deroche, Ryan Burrige and Mike Parisella.

In an early season filled with adversity, the Gloucester boys lacrosse team is starting to hit its stride after winning its third straight game.

The Fishermen held off Swampscott, 7-6, at O'Maley Field behind senior midfielder Adam Quinn's game-high five goals. The win was vital for Gloucester, who climbed back to the .500 mark as it tries to qualify for the postseason.

The second quarter was a killer for Pentucket as the Sachems committed six penalties that led to three Gloucester goals. Despite a strong defensive showing in the second half, the Fishermen scored the sudden-death goal in overtime.

Gloucester boys lacrosse coach Drew Dominick has a seemingly simple philosophy on what is the key to playing winning lacrosse | play solid for four quarters.

 Unfortunately for the Fishermen, they turned in just one quarter of solid play in their 5-4 loss to Salem yesterday at Salem High School.