BRUNSWICK — Top-seeded Brunswick shook off an early challenge from No. 4 Cheverus and cruised to an 18-8 win in an Eastern Class A boys’ lacrosse semifinal Saturday.

The unbeaten Dragons, the defending regional champs, will play No. 2 Messalonskee on Wednesday night for the regional title.

Brunswick, the state’s lone unbeaten lacrosse team, held a statistical edge in every category on the way to its 14th win of the season. The Dragons outshot Cheverus 38-23 and had a 22-19 advantage in groundballs.

Ian Schlosser, a senior midfielder, won 17 of 27 faceoffs for Brunswick.

“We love to push the ball and play fast-paced lacrosse,” Brunswick Coach Don Glover said.

“When we get those opportunities to get up field quick, we take advantage and go.”

Brunswick started quickly, jumping out a 5-0 lead in the first quarter.

Cheverus took advantage of Brunswick penalties to get back into the game in the second quarter.

The Stags scored three goals in man-up situations to close to within 5-3.

“We hurt ourselves at times with the penalties, and they capitalized,” Glover said. “Six-on-six, our game plan was good.”

Mitchell Smith made eight his 10 saves in the second quarter to help the Dragons regain the momentum.

“Mitchell was outstanding, and he has been that way all season long,” Glover said.

The Dragons, who didn’t play Cheverus in the regular season, took an 8-4 lead into the second half.

Twice, the Stags closed to within four goals during the third quarter, but they could get no closer and Brunswick gradually pulled away.

Matt Brooks, a senior middie, had five goals and four assists for Brunswick. Ryan Croatti, a senior attackman, also scored five goals, and Kyle Woodruff, a senior attackman, chipped in with three goals and an assist.

Cam Glover, another senior middie, scored two goals and had three assists. Tyler Hillis, a senior attackman, finished with two goals and T.J. Sullivan scored once.

James Kane, a junior middie, scored three goals for Cheverus. Alex Nason, a junior middie, contributed two goals and an assist. Max Coffin, a sophomore middie, added a goal and three assists. Tom Lawson, a senior attackman, and Finn Cawley, a freshman middie, each scored one goal.

The Dragons snapped the Stags’ six-game winning streak.

“We’re a pretty youthful team, and I’m extremely proud how these guys played,” Cheverus Coach Bill Bodwell said.

“At one point (this season), we were 2-5, and we worked our way back to get into the tournament. They came a long ways this year. I’m really proud of them.”

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