Eyes on the prize: Harwood Boys Lacrosse has the state title in sight
June 8, 2021 | By James Biggam | Times-Argus The No. 2 Harwood Boys Lacrosse team is one victory away from reaching the Division II finals for the fourth straight year after Friday’s 18-5 win against Stowe in the quarterfinal match of the spring playoffs. The Highlanders host No. 6 Colchester at 4:30 p.m. today for the semifinal match. Colchester bested Spaulding on Saturday, 18-16, to win a spot in the next-to-last round.
Harwood in Friday’s game buried five unanswered goals in the second quarter and coasted from there to its victory over No. 7 Stowe.
Finn O’Hara notched eight goals and two assists; Jake Green pumped in four goals for Harwood. A wide lead, 11-2, at the half meant many on the roster got time on the field.
“The Stowe players fought hard and they played good, clean lacrosse that was just really fun to watch,” Harwood coach Russ Beilke said. “It always helps when you can jump out to an early lead and put the other team on the defense really quickly. We’ve been practicing a lot and we were able to get into some sets that we haven’t normally been able to run. And because of the score, we were able to go deep into the bench and get a lot of these guys some really good playing time.”
Jon O’Brien scored two goals for HU and teammate Hayden Adams was another offensive weapon. Brian Bechtel, Timothy Russo and Cam Forbes led the Highlanders on face-offs. Gavin Thomsen won nine ground balls, while O’Hara and Grant McCracken won five apiece.
Goalie Conner Dunne made 14 saves for the Raiders. Addison Dietz recorded six saves for the Highlanders before teammate Will Burkes (two saves) finished up in front of the cage.
“Gavin Thomsen was outstanding and our whole defense was terrific today,” Beilke said. “Ground balls and face-off dominance led to the overall win. Addison didn’t have any saves in the third quarter and he was doing really well all game.”
Harwood suffered a 9-7 loss to Stowe in the 2019 championship. The Highlanders fell short against the Raiders, 13-10, in the 2017 title game.
“It’s always fun to play Stowe,” Beilke said. “The rivalry that has developed over the years in all sports — basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse — and having these two communities this close is really nice. And to compete against each other each and every year, it always adds something a little extra special. The crowd seemed to be that much bigger today and hats off to the Stowe athletes and their coach for having a good year.”
Stowe ended the season at 6-7. Harwood stands at 10-2 before taking on Colchester (7-4) today.
James Biggam covers high school sports for the Times-Argus. His story from Friday’s game is online at TimesArgus.com and is published, updated here, with permission.