Here's how Cranston West boys lacrosse's late magic topped Cumberland
CRANSTON — With consecutive losses to top programs, Cranston West boys lacrosse was on the fringes of league play.
The Falcons, against a demanding Division II slate, faced falling behind the pace when hosting Cumberland on Thursday. And that realization nearly came to fruition as the Falcons trailed by two with six minutes to play in regulation.
“Just hustle, getting the sideline up and getting them rowdy,” Cranston West senior, Charles Maguire said of facing the late deficit. “It's all hustle and just grit. We have more heart than them, we care more.”
Maguire struck top right to trail by just one and then bagged another goal a minute later as the Falcons mounted their comeback. After Cumberland answered, Maguire knotted the contest a second time with three minutes to play and then Jayden Bogle delivered the winner.
With the 8-6 triumph, Cranston West (8-4) halted Cumberland’s six-game win streak and swept the Clippers on the year, which could prove crucial in the overall standings.
“It was amazing,” Bogle said. “There’s so much riding on this season. We have such high expectations and I just try to score as much as I can.”
Jack Majcher provided the insurance tally with 1:05 left in regulation as Cranston West scored five goals in about four minutes to take control of the contest. Maguire also scored just a minute into the second half to cap a four-goal afternoon for the senior.
The win lifts the Falcons into a tie with Prout and South Kingstown for second place with two games left in the regular season. Pilgrim, who hosts the Falcons in the regular season finale, tops the division with nine wins, while Cumberland (7-5) falls to fifth.
Cumberland led 3-2 at halftime on goals by Samuel Lopes, Samuel Asermely, and Colin Peterson. In the second half, the Clippers were paced in scoring by Benjamin DeFusco, Justin Drohen and Matthew Mastrostefano, who scored to give Cumberland a 6-5 lead with four minutes left in regulation.
The league’s parity has been a common theme all season as Cranston West earns its marquee win of the spring. The Falcons started the year with four consecutive wins before falling in back-to-back games. They won three straight then had the relapse against South Kingstown and Prout leading into the contest with Cumberland.
Topping the Clippers at home, in comeback fashion, could jump start a title run for the Falcons.
“We’ve just got to be gritty, this is our only full game,” Bogle said. “We just got to put more of those together. Coming off the SK loss and Prout loss, we’ve just have to keep going for playoffs.”
jrousseau@providencejournal.com
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Maguire, Bogle lift Cranston West boys lacrosse over Cumberland
