Table of Contents
The Winchester High boys lacrosse team (18-2), the seventh seed in Division 1, has outscored its first two state tournament opponents – Bridgewater-Raynham (13-2, 26th seed, 12-7 final record, counting playoffs) and St. John’s of Shrewsbury (15-14 in OT, 10th seed, 11-9 final record, counting playoffs) – by a combined score of 28-16.
These wins set the stage for an Elite 8 showdown against host St. John’s Prep of Danvers (18-2, second seed) on Saturday, June 6, at 2 p.m.
Winchester coach Phil Reuland had no complaints about his team’s play in both postseason games.
“We turned in great team efforts in both these games,” Reuland said. “Our faceoff guys – Gianni Deprimeo and Chris Russo – have been excellent. Senior captain and attackman Ryan Martin is one of our leaders on offense. He had seven goals and one assist in the Round of 32 game against the Trojans, plus three more goals in the St. John’s Sweet 16 game.”
Gianni Deprimeo was credited with the game-winner in overtime against the Pioneers, his fourth marker of the game.
Winchester All-Americans
Junior midfielder Andrew Mango and senior captain Cooper Spence, a defender, were recently named USA Lacrosse All-Americans, and Reuland said of them:
“They have been huge factors in every one of our games this year, including the last two (against aforementioned Bridgewater-Raynham and St. John’s).”
Junior goalie John Reuland made a key breakaway save in the extra period of the St. John’s game that led to Gianni’s heroics.
Reuland says that he’s not going to change a thing going into the St. John’s Prep Elite 8 playoff game.
“We play hard at all times, while also (respecting) the game,” the veteran Winchester coach added.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
