May 20, 2009
New England high school roundup
Hit, injury mar Guertin-Pinkerton clash
by Staff Report/
An illegal hit that left Bishop Guertin midfielder Nick Astarita with a Grade 2 concussion inflamed an already heated New Hampshire rivalry.
Guertin’s game against Pinkerton Academy last week was stopped by officials before the final whistle after Astarita was crushed at midfield by defenseman Zach Tulley in the waning moments. Astarita, who also suffered a separated shoulder, was motionless immediately after the hit and the uncertainty of the situation on the field brought several of his teammates to tears.
Tulley received a three-minute spearing penalty with 2:20 left in the game. Play did not resume.
Citing game film, the injured player’s father told the New Hampshire Union Leader that the Pinkerton player had “at least a 9- to 10-yard head start’’ and used “his head to hit the top of Nick's right shoulder, and continue through to the top of Nick's head."
Astarita will not be able to compete in contact sports for several weeks, his father said.
Guertin won the game, 14-6. Read Marc Thaler’s account in the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Massachusetts
They remain a team to beat but the Duxbury Green Dragons won’t be the only team to beat in the Massachusetts’ Division 1 boys' playoffs this season, writes Peter Martin in the Boston Globe. St. John's Prep, which snapped Duxbury’s 99-game winning straight against Massachusetts opponents this season, is a contender. Reading, Needham, Lincoln-Sudbury, and Billerica are also in the mix. MIAA boys’ and girls’ tournament seedings will be announced Friday. Check out the LaxPower rankings for Massachusetts teams and more Globe lacrosse coverage here.
Connecticut
They’re grinning in Cheshire again, where several younger brothers of members of the 2002 championship team are gunning for a state title in 2009. Read Nick Carboni’s story in the Hartford Courant.
Maine
Three weeks after routing Lewiston, 16-1, unbeaten Brunswick needed a rally to overcome the plucky Devils Tuesday night. The Dragons climbed to 9-0 with their 6-5 victory. Read Paul Betit's account in the Portland Press Herald.
