Lacrosse Coverage; presented by Kristen Donahue: Wolverines Clamp Down Late to Edge Needham

May 2, 2026
 
Westwood welcomed Bay State League powerhouse Needham to Flahive on Saturday night for a rare under-the-lights showdown—and the matchup delivered in every sense. With Needham ranked #19 in the MIAA Division 1 power rankings and Westwood sitting at #11 in Division 2 (and #17 in the Boston Globe statewide rankings), this was a high-level test for both programs outside of league play.
 
Needham came out firing, controlling faceoffs and dictating possession early. The Rockets capitalized with four unanswered goals to open the game, putting Westwood on its heels heading into the second quarter.
 
The Wolverines responded with adjustments and grit. Will “The Thrill” Stuehler got Westwood on the board, finishing on the doorstep after a fast-break setup from Liam Williams. Moments later, Westwood struck again on a man-up opportunity, as Williams buried a rocket inside the near post to cut the deficit in half. Needham answered to stretch the lead back to three, but Westwood refused to back down. Freshman Matt Humphrey ripped a shot under the bar to spark the sideline, and Will Sesselman added his first of the night to keep it a two-goal game at halftime, 6–4.
 
The momentum fully shifted in the third. Greg Walsh, one of the most complete players in the state, set the tone early with a powerful inside move and perfectly placed bounce shot to bring Westwood within one. Stuehler followed by tying the game on an outside bounce shot, and shortly after gave the Wolverines their first lead of the night, 7–6. Needham capitalized on a late turnover to even things up at 7–7, setting the stage for a dramatic final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter turned into a defensive showcase. Both teams slowed the pace, valuing possessions as goaltenders Jaden Pollack and Ben Lieberman traded clutch saves. Sesselman broke the tie midway through the quarter, finishing a key possession to give Westwood an 8–7 lead.
 
From there, it was all about the defense.
 
Needham had the ball for the final three minutes, pressing hard for the equalizer. The Rockets fired shots from all angles, but Westwood’s defense held firm, forcing outside looks and winning key ground balls. CJ Hancock delivered a standout performance down the stretch, causing multiple turnovers—including a physical stick check that snapped a Needham player’s stick. After a timely timeout allowed Needham to regroup, Westwood’s defense dug in one last time.
 
With under 10 seconds remaining, Hancock forced another turnover, and Greg Walsh scooped up the ground ball and cleared it to seal an impressive 8–7 victory.
 
Westwood’s defense was dominant throughout, with Ryan Williams and Ryan Owens anchoring the unit and consistently disrupting Needham’s offensive rhythm. Hancock finished with five caused turnovers, most coming in critical late-game moments. Stuehler and Walsh also contributed on the defensive end, showcasing the team’s depth and two-way play. Pollack was outstanding in net, particularly in the second half, finishing with eight saves and several key stops to preserve the lead.
 
With the win, Westwood improves to 10–2 on the season and officially punches its ticket to the MIAA Division 2 tournament.
 
Next up, the Wolverines head to Medway for a TVL Small matchup against the Mustangs.