Needham players celebrate their win over Acton-Boxborough in the MIAA Division 1 semifinals. (Dave Arnold/N.E. Lacrosse Journal)
BURLINGTON, Mass. – In a battle of two MIAA public school powerhouses, sixth-seeded Needham knocked off No. 3 Acton-Boxborough, 9-8, in the Division 1 semifinals on Tuesday.
With both teams coming out firing, from the opening faceoff, everyone in attendance knew they were in for a barnburner under the lights.
At the half, Acton-Boxborough held a narrow 5-4 lead. But once the second half got underway, as the temperature on the field cooled down, the competition started heating up.
A score by senior captain Sean Reilly with under four minutes remaining proved to be the knockout blow to punch Needham its ticket to the D-1 final, where it will face top-seeded St. John's Prep.
