HOLDEN — Wachusett Regional High’s Anthony DelNegro notched a hat trick and teammate Matt Dickinson chipped in with a pair of goals, but it was not enough to stop visiting Groton-Dunstable who held on for the win, 11-6, on April 25. The loss dropped the Mountaineers’ record on the season to 2-6, but don’t count out this intrepid bunch that is anxious and has the skillset to reverse fortunes.
“This team has been grinding on despite some tough losses. We have a lot of good guys, and they compete like a family,” said WRHS varsity head coach Derek VanOudenhove. “The guys have kept their heads in it, and today was evidence of that, playing right to the final whistle.
“We have to minimize our mistakes and maximize our opportunities. There are things we need to fine tune going into games that will help towards a positive outcome. Especially against a team like Groton-Dunstable, communication is key. They’re very quick in finding the open man, so the defense really has to have continuous talk. “
“This was a tough loss. We came in thinking that we were going to win,” said senior co-captain Matt Sloate. “We came out strong in the first half but made some mistakes that hurt us. At the beginning of the season, we had some tough losses, but I don’t think it hurt morale. We still come out and battle every day.
“We need to be moving the ball quicker on offense. Every drop matters. We need to be holding the ball more, and when we do and don’t get shots off, it’s just a waste of time. We have to clean up on offense moving the ball around.”
“We played well after starting off rough, and had good second and third quarters before falling down in the fourth,” added fellow senior captain Kyle Citro. “But we’ll keep going. Confidence is high right now. We’re starting to play together better. We saw a lot of good stuff today, and we’ll keep going.”
The 2023 campaign opened with five consecutive defeats until the squad knocked off a tough Westborough High team and another quality opponent in St. Bernard’s High before squaring off versus the Groton-Dunstable Crusaders.
“We have to clean up some small things like stickwork and just finishing down low,” Sloate said. “When that happens, things are going to start clicking and we’ll be rolling. What I like most is coming out with the kids every day. We might not have the best record, but being with these guys all day long is fun. We have a good time and make it work.”
“I like the grit we have. When we’re down it doesn’t really affect us,” said DelNegro. “We still play with our hearts. First half, we were kind of rolling and kids were putting the body on, which I like. Physicality is our best trait.”
“This group has a never-give-up attitude,” VanOudenhove said of his team that looks for a fast rebound to the season. “We’ve been in some tough situations, but we continue to persevere, and I think that’s a testimony to the character of the athletes this season.”
Members of the 2023 Wachusett Regional High School boys’ varsity lacrosse team are Malachi Leary, Matt Sloate, Jake Norton, Anthony DelNegro, Ethan Reando, Nick Brousseau, Matthew Dickinson, Greyson Doyle, Kyle Citro, Colin McGuinness, Frankie Smith, Cameron Fontaine, Thomas Cooney, Joe Raeke, Austin Fiske, Lucas Plouffe, Owen Powers, Max Gaffney, Chad Pelonzi, Jack Taliceo and Casey Dmochowski.
