BRUNSWICK – Cheverus Coach Bill Bodwell told his players they needed to score the first two goals of the third quarter to get back into the Eastern Class A boys’ lacrosse final against Brunswick.

The Stags did better than that.

Second-seeded Cheverus scored six consecutive goals in the third quarter, and Warren Murray’s goal with 1:42 remaining gave the Stags a 10-9 victory and their second consecutive regional championship.

The Stags (13-2) will play three-time defending state champion Scarborough (13-1) for the state title at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

Brunswick (12-2) held a 6-3 lead at the end of the first half before Cheverus fought back.

“If we let up today, we knew it would be our last game, and we didn’t want it to be the last game for the seniors,” said Cheverus midfielder Jack Sutton, who scored two goals. “Coach told us to go out and put it all on the line.”

“I knew we were going to be all right,” said Bodwell, in his first season as coach of the Stags. “We were getting good looks during the first half, and their goalie played very well during the second quarter.”

Brunswick scored three goals in the final three minutes of the second quarter, but the Stags took advantage of penalties in the third quarter to open up a 9-6 lead.

“In the third quarter we hurt ourselves with the penalties, and you can’t hurt yourself like that,” Brunswick Coach Don Glover said.

Cheverus scored three goals with a man advantage.

The Dragons rallied for three goals in the fourth quarter, forging a 9-9 tie with 2:42 left when Alex Croati converted a feed from Matt Brooks for his third goal.

At that point, Bodwell asked game officials to inspect the stick being used by Brunswick midfielder Sam Fortin. It was ruled illegal, and the Dragons had to play the next two minutes one man down.

The Stags quickly capitalized as Murray put in a shot from the left side for his third goal of the game.

Hilmar Smith had two goals and an assist for Cheverus. Nick Schleh also scored twice, and Tim Lawson added a goal. James Biegel made 12 saves.

For Brunswick, Cam Glover had two goals and an assist, Ryan Croati scored two goals, J.J. Sullivan had a goal and an assist, and Lucas McCue scored once.

Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH