Woburn, MA-The #17 seeded Central Catholic Raiders travelled to the 16th seeded Winchester Red and Black for a first round MIAA Tourney game. Winchester carried the play early testing Raiders goalie Michael Brothers. Winchester broke through with 8:56 left. Junior Shane Napolitano popped home a rebound of a Liam Doherty shot and it was 1-0 WHS. With 6:38 left, Winchester struck again, this time on the power play. 2005 Max Tong ripped home a shot, bar and down with an assist to Cole Dente. Winchester’s goalie Max Lowenberg was tested and made one great save on a point blank chance with 1:23 left. Period ended with the Red and Black up 2-0.
The second period, Central Catholic came out with energy and some snarl. Sophomore Charlie Winship had a quality chance early as he dipped to the net and ripped a shot. Lowenberg was up to the task. Soon after, Junior Sean Gray who had been a factor all game, drew a penalty. Central took a penalty of their own soon after but still seemed to have momentum. Then with 7:39 left, Junior Andrew Duval tipped a Cam Marzilli shot home to make it 2-1. Sophomore AJ Songini earned the secondary assist. Winchester had some chances on the power play with under four minutes to go but they could not convert. Brothers was solid and had shut the door. Quality period for the Raiders as they went to the locker rooms with Winchester up 2-1.
The Raiders kept coming in the third and Duval hit a post on the power play just 1:15 into the frame. Winship, Sean Gray and freshman Max Gagnon all created quality bids in the final frame. Central was able to get Brothers out for some 6v5 time and came very close to tying the game late. Winchester held on for the 2-1 win over a young and talented CC team.
Three Stars
First: Max Lowenberg, Winchester
Second: Max Tong, Winchester
Third: Liam Doherty, Winchester