Mt. Hope Boys Lacrosse Claims D-III Championship in Thrilling Comeback

PROVIDENCE – In a dramatic turnaround, the Mt. Hope boys lacrosse team clinched the Division III championship on June 6, overcoming last year’s disappointment with a 12-9 victory against Lincoln. The team turned the tide in the final quarter, fueled by memories of their previous loss in the finals.

Initially, the Huskies struggled to find their rhythm, falling behind 4-1 early in the match. Lincoln's Logan Szynal and Daniel London made an impressive start, each netting two goals, with Szynal contributing an assist to London’s scoring. As halftime approached, it seemed Mt. Hope might face another letdown. However, they rallied at the last moment, scoring three goals in just 50 seconds to equalize at 4-4, with senior captain Charlie Knapman netting two of those goals in quick succession. “That run was very important; it changed everything for us,” remarked Mt. Hope coach Jay Spina.

Despite the momentum shift, Lincoln responded with a powerful 4-0 run to start the second half, marking their largest lead of the game. Szynal dominated this stretch with two more goals and an assist, finishing the match with four goals and two assists. Nevertheless, Mt. Hope remained undeterred. “In that fourth quarter we brought them in with those timeouts and said, ‘Listen, this is the time to do it,'” Spina said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their game plan.

As the game progressed, the Huskies regained their footing, finishing the third quarter with two quick goals. With the score at 9-6 and under ten minutes remaining, goalie Ethan Labollita made a crucial save that led to a goal by sophomore Brayden Vales. Labollita, who ended the game with eight saves, stressed the team’s resilience, stating, “We were never worried. We were just ready for the next play.”

With victory within reach, Mt. Hope continued to press the Lincoln defense. Senior Nathan Carpenter scored the equalizing goal with 4:41 left, then delivered the go-ahead score with just 1:42 remaining. “Being in this position last year, we never wanted to feel that feeling again,” Carpenter reflected. He finished with four goals, adding one more in the final minute to secure the championship for Mt. Hope.

Looking ahead, Lincoln's junior captain Joseph London expressed pride in his team’s journey, despite the loss. “It’s hard, because we’ve preached one thing: We’re family,” he stated. The team is optimistic about the future, with key players set to return. Daniel London noted, “I feel like we have a very bright future. We have to remember this experience and hope to get that privilege again next year.”