Hornets Boys' LAX Hangs on to Beat Sharon 9-7

With less than two minutes to play and up by two, things were not quite over for the Mansfield boys’ lacrosse team against Sharon. With the Hornets playing at least a man down for most of the final moments, the game had the makings of an Eagles comeback. Despite Sharon playing with a two-man advantage at times, the defense was able to hold on for a 9-7 league win.

The victory gives Mansfield an overall record of 4-5 and a league record of 3-3.

Although Mansfield spent most of the first quarter on the attack, it was Sharon that took a 1-0 lead off a Andrew Ventresco one timer from Andrew Titus with 2:18 left in the quarter.

Mansfield would respond only 63 second later when Adam Blackman’s pass from behind the net to Kevin Flynn resulted in a goal from seven yards away. Another goal from Travis Marks gave Mansfield a 2-1 lead going into the second quarter.

Strong performances once again from Mike Donnelly (3 goals, 1 assist) and Mike Barressi (3 goals, 1 assist) kept the Hornets ahead despite the constant threat of the Eagles.

Barressi scored with 8:42 left in the half to extend Mansfield’s lead before Sharon was able to tie the game at 3-3.

Shortly after losing the lead, Donnelly’s drive to the net quickly after the face-off resulted in the Hornets regaining a lead they would take into the half.

Up 8-7 with a little more than four minutes to play, Blackman would put some separation between the Hornets and the Eagles with time ticking away.

Sharon had the chance to come back with Mansfield playing a man down with 1:55 to play and then two men down with 56 seconds left but the Hornets’ defense was able to clear the ball and protect the lead against a strong Sharon team.

The Hornets will travel to Sandwich on May 1 for an out of league match.