Sunday, June 8, 2008
Danvers, MA
Billerica – 12, St. John’s Prep – 9
Three minutes. That’s all it took today for Billerica’s defense to effectively secure a win at Cronin Field, where the St. John’s Prep Eagles had previously stood unbeaten in 2008. Heading into the game’s final frame, trailing by 5, The Prep’s senior-heavy squad desperately needed a change in the momentum that had so mercilessly favored the opposition all afternoon. When a yellow hanky hit the ground in the form of a 3-minute, locked-in illegal stick penalty against Billerica, the Eagles saw their chance. But as the undermanned green-and-black five pressured relentlessly, shot after shot went, high, wide, dirt, helmet – literally anywhere but net. The Prep’s best six shooters – 5 of whom should enjoy serious time within the college ranks next fall – were held scoreless. Billerica’s defense, as suffocating as the 96 degree field temp, killed the penalty and immediately went on the offensive, firing the ball upfield to an uncovered attackman, dumping in their 12th goal of the afternoon as soon as their tenth man hit the field. The breakaway, backbreaking shot slapped a big “Maybe Next Year” on the contest with 1:17 remaining on the weathered Cronin Field scoreboard, and sent a promising Prep team home early this year.
The Billerica boys rest comfortably tonight, awaiting next week’s state championship game against the winner of Duxbury and Xaverian. Fitting, considering the former two are the only teams in the land to have beaten 2nd-ranked Prep this season, until today.
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