BOILING SPRINGS — In a game packed with momentum swings and dramatic moments, Dorman found a way to strike last.
The Cavaliers scored the go-ahead goal with 43 seconds remaining and held off a furious final push by Boiling Springs to win 12-11 on Monday night, claiming the Upper State lacrosse championship at Boiling Springs High School.
Boiling Springs (15-5) entered the night with confidence, having knocked off Dorman (16-3) 16-9 during the regular season. But early on, it was the Cavaliers who dictated the pace, racing out to a 6-2 lead behind a strong offensive start.
Lincoln Huskey, the Bulldogs’ senior star and Queens University commit, sparked a Boiling Springs rally, cutting the deficit to 6-5. Dorman responded with two late goals to take an 8-5 lead into halftime.
Out of the break, Boiling Springs came out firing. They quickly tied the game and seized their first lead of the night when Caden Quaranta buried a goal to put the Bulldogs ahead 10-9 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. Moments later, Huskey added another goal, pushing the Boiling Springs advantage to 11-9 heading into the final frame.
But the fourth quarter belonged to Dorman.
Hallston McKenzie scored with 9:36 left to cut the deficit to one. After back-to-back Boiling Springs penalties, McKenzie capitalized again, tying the game at 11 with 7:36 remaining.
Boiling Springs had its chances late. Dillon Snyder had a good look at a go-ahead goal with five minutes left, but Dorman goalie Jamison Porterfield made a crucial stop at point-blank range. After a timeout with 3:19 left, the Bulldogs set up multiple opportunities, including a pair of shots from Snyder and Huskey, but both attempts narrowly missed.
Dorman regained possession and, after a timeout with 1:59 to play, methodically drained the clock. With 43 seconds left, Anthony Peaks found the net on a fast break, giving the Cavaliers a 12-11 lead.
Boiling Springs had one final opportunity after a timeout with 41 seconds to play. The Bulldogs tried to set up Huskey for the tying goal, but the pass slipped off his stick with 15 seconds remaining, and Dorman pounced on the loose ball to seal the victory.
With the win, Dorman advances to the state championship game, while a strong Boiling Springs season comes to a heartbreaking end.
