Andover rebounds in major way to edge Xaverian

HS BOYS LACROSSE

Xaverian’s Beckett Soul, left, has his stick knocked out of his hands by Andover’s Dan Guinee during Andover’s 9-7 boys lacrosse win. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

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By Brendan Connelly

Correspondent

WESTWOOD >> The best way to overcome adversity is by answering with authority.

After a tough loss earlier this week, Andover’s boys lacrosse team did just that Saturday. Seniors Jack Cooper (hat trick) and Ben Gwiazda (two goals) propelled the attack, as the Golden Warriors (5-1) registered one of their biggest wins of the season with an impressive 9-7 win against Catholic Conference power Xaverian.

The game was a great litmus test between schools hoping to establish themselves among the state’s elite programs. Andover was coming off its first loss to a vaunted Billerica squad, but still listed No. 8 in the Herald’s latest rankings. Xaverian has endured one of the state’s toughest schedules.

Cooper buried a shot to give Andover a 1-0 lead just 54 seconds into play.

Xaverian (3-4) proceeded to bleed clock, controlling possession for nearly five straight minutes before Charlie Brennan sniped the equalizer to make it 1-all with 5:43 left in the first quarter.

However, every time the Hawks appeared to be gaining any semblance of momentum, Andover responded. Just 25 seconds later, Gwiazda fired home his first goal as the Golden Warriors restored their lead at 2-1. They would extend it to 3-1 with two minutes to play in the opening stanza, as Cooper potted his second.

“The Billerica game was tough,” said Cooper. “They’re a gritty team, and falling to them by that much kind of hurt us. But we had a great week of practice, the defense pushed the offense very hard. We kind of got ourselves together, and played like a team.”

The schools traded goals until the waning seconds of the half, when the Golden Warriors enjoyed a perfect sequence. As he attempted to finish off a hat trick, Cooper darted toward the cage, and was denied as his shot ricocheted high in the air. The Stony Brook commit settled however, and caught it uncontested. Then, he sprinted back to the cage and stuffed home his second try to make it 5-3.

With five ticks left in the half, Marcus DeJesus tacked on one more goal in frantic fashion, changing the game’s complexion as Andover constructed a 6-3 lead.

“I would say coming to one of these Catholic Conference teams is very meaningful,” Cooper said. “Us public school kids, I’d say we’re very gritty. These Catholic Conference players are gritty too, but it means more to us. I think it’s more of an energy thing. It was great to come out on the winning end.”

Andover received two goals from DeJesus. Dan Guinee and Nolan Dowling scored once for the Golden Warriors.

Brennan finished with four goals and an assist to carry Xaverian, with Michael Albert and Ryan Dorfman accounting for the Hawks’ other tallies.

“I think if we just keep working hard everyday in practice, everything is going to translate,” said Gwiazda. “I’ve got belief in our guys. I think we can make it far this year.”