HINGHAM – Framingham High boys lacrosse team travelled to Hingham for its first MIAA playoff game in years today, June 19.
The Flyers, under first-year head coach AJ Mulvey lost to the Harbormen 15-7, ending their season.
The Flyers finish 7-7 overall and 6-6 in the Bay State.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and couldn’t be prouder as a coach. Weird saying that after losing 15-7 in the first round of the playoffs, but it’s true. And anyone who was at the game would tell you, it didn’t feel like a 15-7 game,” said head coach Mulvey.
“Our boys were relentless for the entire 48 minutes. Today was a huge step in the right direction for our program and I’m so proud of our seniors for leaving behind their legacy and establishing a new benchmark for our program,” said Mulvey.
For Framingham, it was a tale of two stories – our seniors and our underclassmen, said the head coach.
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“Our seniors have set the bar high this season. Their leadership got us into the playoffs and their relentless effort today will be their legacy. 65% of our ground balls (16/25) came from our seniors – Sean Clark, Darren Palma, Thomas Chase, Connor Flynn, and Jared Shimelman,” said Coach Mulvey.
Senior Captain Brady Morgan had 6 saves in the first quarter and 4 saves in the second – giving him 10 saves in the first half.
“Brady made some huge stops, robbing some very talented Hingham shooters. He was dialed in and basically standing on his head out there, dropping to his knees – doing every and anything to stop the ball. Brady was simply awesome, period,” said Coach Mulvey.
“Sophomore Davin Nichols was on fire today with 3 goals in the first half. Davin scored the first goal of the game assisted by Sean Clark – working a nice 2-man game on the wing, Davin slipped Clark hit with a touch pass and Davin buried a wrister,” said the head coach.
Hingham, however, would go on a 7 goal run.
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“To have Davin Nichols answer one more time, this time the spot feed came from Junior Tommy Duane who hit a cutting Nichols across the middle for a quick stick goal on the crease. Davin’s ability to release the ball instantly is something special. His quick release is ridiculous – and goalies never see it coming,” said Coach Mulvey.
Sophomore Billy Neiberger would score off a scrappy ground ball on the crease with a nice box-style face dodge finish to make it 11-4 (Hingham), said the head coach.
Hingham would score two more goals, 13-4.
“With 4:53 left in the 3rd quarter, Palma would find Junior Tommy Duane for an EMO (extra-man offense) goal. Duane would strike again off a great ground in traffic on the crease to bury it far low for his third goal of the day,” said Coach Mulvey.
Junior Kyle Patriarca had 3 saves in the third quarter and 5 in the final quarter – giving him 8 saves in the second half.
“Kyle was awesome, he made some big-time saves and commands the defense very well,” said Coach Mulvey.
Junior Joey Ferrante was an absolute workhorse for us today – winning 9 faceoffs, 3 ground balls, and his assist to Nichols late in the second,” said Coach Mulvey.
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“Sophomore Shea Callahan also stepped up to take some faceoffs. Shea has a lot of grit, he lost one faceoff to stay all over Hingham’s faceoff guy to steal it back and win the possession,” said Coach Mulvey.
“Our defense played with a ton of heart. Junior Mason Moy, Junior PJ Farese, and senior Shimelman were able to handle their matchups very well,” said Coach Mulvey. “Senior Connor Flynn moved to Long Stick Midfield and was also able to shadow his matchups and minimize Hingham’s ability to dodge. What killed us what Hingham’s ability to move the ball. They beat us with their passes, not their dodges. And that goes back to the old saying, the ball moves faster than your feet.”
Hingham will now play Silver Lake Regional High in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 South tournament.
Hingham at 12-2, now 13-2 was 4th seed in the tournament. Framingham was the 13th seed.
Bay State Conference rival Natick High is the #2 seed at 11-1 and hosts Marshfield High on Monday at 6 p.m.
Franklin at 15-0 is the #1 seed in the MIAA tourney.
“Our D-mids / short-stick defenders were put to the test today. It was very hot and we don’t have a deep bench. Anchored by Senior Thomas Chase is also Sophomore John Yerardi, Junior Noah Pearlman, and Senior Brett Williams. Freshman Ben Lincoln stepped up to provide some much-needed help and was able to make some big plays for us,” said Coach Mulvey.
“Ben among a few other freshmen came up to varsity to experience the playoffs. We knew Ben is very athletic and could handle himself at practice, but it was great to see him out there holding his own against some of the best in the state,” said the head coach.
In the playoff game, Nichols had three goals and one ground balls. Duane had three goals, two assists, and three ground balls. Neiberger had 1 goal and two ground balls. Clark had 1 assist and three ground balls. Palma had 1 assist and four ground balls. Brett Williams had 1 assist and 2 ground balls.
“Our seniors have cemented themselves into the foundation of our program. And our underclassmen are extremely talented and all in. On top of that, our U15 Select Team (7th/8th graders) just lost in the Massachusetts Youth Championship game last night against Burlington. The future for Framingham lacrosse is looking very bright,” said Coach Mulvey.
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“A huge thank you to both our Athletic Director Paul Spear and Principal Carolyn Banach – as they choose to be with us on a very hot Saturday on the turf at Hingham High. We are extremely grateful for their continued support of our program,” said Coach Mulvey.
“From the second we get off the bus, Hingham’s Coach John Todd greets us with the utmost hospitality. I’ve coached a lot of lacrosse and there is a reason Hingham is a consistent powerhouse – great coaching and attention to detail. Coach Todd is awesome – the last time I was at Hingham High I was competing against him as a player 21 years ago, so it was pretty cool to coach against the legendary coach in our first playoff game. I have tremendous respect for Coach Todd, his staff, and the program he has built over the decades,” said the Flyers head coach.
“Losing to this Hingham team is nothing to be ashamed of. Their stickwork and ball movement are as good as it gets. We made some mistakes and they made us pay for it as great teams do. Regardless of the score, it was an intense game, every minute, every second. Our boys never gave up and played tough, physical lacrosse but clean,” said Coach Mulvey.
“Both teams honored the game and showed great respect and sportsmanship. Watching our boys joke around with the Hingham players after such an intense game is why I love coaching this game. The game of lacrosse is bigger than any team or person and it was awesome to see both teams respect and honor the game I love so much,” said the Flyers head coach.
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Mulvey said the the Flyers will hold free pickup lacrosse league at Victory Field this Thursday night.
“Perfect for veteran players and/or anyone who wants to try lacrosse,” said Mulvey.
All are welcome. Any questions email ajmulvey@gmail.com
Watch the MIAA Plyaoff game here: https://bbiglive.com/events/138-framingham-at-hingham-miaa-lax-tourney-2021-06-19?token=dgj6S8QGRgV7HFi8kzANeHCr
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