Senior forward Michael Grant scored a pair of first-period goals and the fourth-ranked BC High hockey team handed No. 8 Xaverian its first loss of the season, 8-2, in a Catholic Conference matchup at the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston on Saturday afternoon.

Timmy Kelly solidified the win at 11:50 of the third, and senior defenseman Sean Hearly added a two-point performance with a goal from the right dot at 7:43 of the third period.

After Xaverian (5-1-2) pulled junior goaltender James Herring, backup goalie AJ Scott could not contain BC High either in a second period again dominated by the Eagles (3-3-1).

BC prevailed with a deflection goal from senior forward Danny O’Connell with 7:23 left and two goals in the final minute of play. Senior forward Maverick Woods scored on a breakaway strike at 14:00 and sophomore forward Aidan Carey pushed a loose puck through the crease with 19.3 seconds remaining to give the Eagles a commanding 6-1 lead entering the third period.

“It was a good hockey game,’’ said BC High coach John Flaherty. “I thought our guys came out of the gate like we wanted them to and they never looked back.’’

With just 2.1 seconds remaining in the first period, the Eagles took a 3-0 lead as Hearly fired a shot from the left point that found the stick of O’Connell for a deflection that beat Herring.

Grant’s second goal was from pure hustle and determination while powering his way toward the net from the right wing. He slipped a wrist shot between Herring’s pads with 3:33 left in the first period for a 2-0 lead.

A determined Andrew McDonough charged the net from the left wing with the puck on his stick and wristed a shot that rang the left post and allowed Grant to corral the loose rebound and send the puck toward an empty net with Herring out of position to put the Eagles up, 1-0, with 11:01 left in the first.

“I just thought that it was a good play by Andrew McDonough,’’ said Grant.

“Nice indirect pass off the boards right there and just getting to the puck.’’

Xaverian’s scores came on Ryan Pomposelli’s power-play goal at 14:00 in the second followed by Matt Ryan’s third period goal at 10:38.

“I was happy with a complete 45-minute effort tonight,’’ said Flaherty.

St. John’s Prep 4, Malden Catholic 2 — The third-ranked Eagles (4-1-1) converted three power-play goals, including a pair from senior defenseman Tim Usalis, to rally from a 2-0 first-period deficit for the Catholic Conference win at Valley Forum II in Malden.

“After that first period, I was probably the most disappointed that I have been in the Prep team in a long time,’’ said Prep coach Kristian Hanson. “I flat out said that I was embarrassed. Obviously, I didn’t have them ready to play today. I take responsibility for that, but we turned things around with the power play time that we had left. We got some confidence and we were right back the game.’’

MC (1-3-1) outshot Prep, 12-2, in the first period and seized a 2-0 lead on power-play goals from Kyle Furey and Riley Duran. Usalis put Prep on top, 3-2, in the second period, off a feed from Brian Carrabis, who closed out the win with an empty-netter with 35 seconds remaining.

North Andover 6, Haverhill 2 — Seniors Matt Lucey and Nick Oliveri each had two goals for the host Knights (5-1-1).

Hopedale/Millis 6, Cardinal Spellman 0 — Aidan Wilde (3 goals, 1 assist), P.J. Gray (2 goals) and Hunter Dunn (1 goal, 3 assists) helped the host Blue Raiders (3-5) score five goals in the first period to beat the Cardinals.

Kimball Union 3, Cushing 2 — Senior forward Logan Cash collected a goal and an assist for the Wildcats (12-3-1).

Girls’ hockey

Winchester 3, Reading 1 — Junior goaltender Baile Lazarus made 20 saves for the Sachems (5-0), ranked 13th in this week’s Globe poll. “She played great. When she was under siege, she made all the saves, cleared the rebounds,’’ said Winchester coach Craig Seabury.

“She was our best player today. She kept us in the game.’’

Reading (3-2) had the advantage early in the game, outshooting Winchester, 7-3. But it was the Sachems who would capitalize first.

With 3:32 left, Niki Micciche secured the puck off a defensive draw and started the rush. In the Reading zone, Micciche caught the near post for the score.

The Sachems followed up with a strong second period, with senior Franny O’Brien setting up senior Juliana Bray with a goal just 1:35 in. O’Brien added one of her own, converting a power-play chance off a rebound from senior Madison Micciche with 4:07 left in the period.

Reading started to surge in the third period, getting a key opportunity with a 5-on-3 power play for one minute and 43 seconds.

But the Winchester PK and Lazarus prevailed, limiting the Rockets to only five shots on net.

“It was a little nervewracking,’’ said Lazarus. “We just played a zone and tried to keep them under control.’’

Just after the kill ended, Reading senior Chloe Doherty scored on a breakaway. But the rally ended there.

“Reading is always a tough team to beat, and they’re always a tough game. It’s really good to beat them,’’ said Lazarus. “Our team really stepped it up.’’

“We all really worked together and put in the effort to win.’’

Westford 5, Waltham 3— Junior defenseman Jackie Ricko recorded two goals and an assisted another for the Grey Ghosts.

Boys’ basketball

Newton North 78, Billerica 52 — Senior guard Ethan Wright blazed the trail with 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals for the Tigers (4-2).

Tabor 78, St. Sebastian’s 60 — Junior point guard Noah Fernandes poured in 27 points and senior Chris Herren Jr. added 24 for the Seawolves.

BB&N 47, Brewster ‘B’ 41 — Sophomore forward Julius Nagin had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Knights (3-2).

Girls’ basketball

Newton South 53, Cambridge 35 — With her 22nd point, senior guard Veronica Burton (23 points) passed 1986 grad Katrina Antonelli (1,486) as the Lions’ career scoring leader in leading top-ranked Newton South to the Dual County League win.

Mansfield 42, Taunton 36 — Senior captain and guard Ann Maher dropped 14 points in the bucket for the Hornets (6-2).

Girls’ track

Dartmouth Relays — Behind first-place finishes from its 4 x 200 (Julia Sergeant, Ally Bennett, Grace Dunn, and Hope Joel, 1:49:41) and 4 x 400 (Hannah Lansberry, Emma Joel, Julianna Kennedy, and Delia Barbanti, 4:05:68) relay teams, Andover won the relays in Hanover, N.H., with 48 points, edging Danbury, Conn. (37), and Portsmouth, R.I. (35).

Wrestling

Walpole 48, Dracut 24 —The Rebels (9-0) swept Marlborough (54-24), Milford (60-18), Central Catholic (36-35), along with the Middies to present fourth-year coach Sean Petrosino with his 100th career win. He is 59-25 at Walpole, in addition to his 43-4 run at Plymouth South, his alma mater.

Nobles 36, BB&N 33 — Cam Camacho clinched the match with a 13-11 decision over Henry Ross at 160 pounds.