Boys lacrosse: Warren tops Maine South

Warren junior Bobby Devenport was outstanding in goal Tuesday night for the Blue Devils against visiting Maine South.

But it was his effort - and his assist - on the offense end that had the crowd gasping.

In the latter stages of the first period, Devenport made a save and, looking to get an outlet pass, felt the pressure from a Hawks attacker.

At that point, the junior keeper made a 360 move to juke out the Maine South player, drawing oohs and aahs from the fans, then delivered a bomb to Ryan Landry, who raced in to score.

That made it 4-1, and the Blue Devils didn't look back in a 12-7 nonconference boys lacrosse win.

"I was thinking that I had to make a play," said Devenport, "and help jump the team up. I was getting pressured, I just threw a fake, and saw my teammate streaking down the sideline so I gave it to him."

Warren coach Greg Janczak has come to expect special moments like that from his goalie.

"He stands on his head a lot of times," said Janczak, "and the reason we're in games is because he's a brick wall back there."

Devenport added that the Blue Devils were looking for a little repayment for a tough loss that their football team suffered last fall to Maine South, by a score of 10-2.

"Honestly we came out pretty good tonight," said Devenport, "knowing we were looking for that revenge."

Janczak, who said that he had heard talk that his team was looking for a little retribution for the close defeat by their gridiron comrades, added that he has a lot of respect for the Maine South lacrosse program.

"They've always been a tough team," said Janczak of the Hawks. "They play us close, and we play them close. You've just got to defend your home turf."

Warren (18-3) junior midfielder Drew Deney scored the 7th goal for the Blue Devils late in the 2nd period, but attacker Sean Mullan of Maine South countered just before halftime to make it 7-3 at intermission.

The Blue Devils led 9-4 after three quarters, then extended the lead in the fourth when Clayton Bewick scored to make it 11-4.

The Hawks made a mild rally in the final minutes to make things interesting, but as was the case most of the evening, they couldn't get many chances against Devenport and the stellar Blue Devils defense.

Warren junior defenseman Kole Weinberg and his teammates were solid in front of the goal all evening.

Bewick led the home team on attack with five goals, while Deney scored four times.

Michael Gardiner found the back of the net three times for Maine South, leading the way for the Hawks, while Mullan tallied twice.

After the game, Janczak lauded the play of his defenders, and his coaching staff.

"Just stifling defense," said the coach. "We mix it up between man and zone, pressure and loose, and our 'D' coordinator, coach (Justin) Van Schaick, we does just an unbelievable job of getting the kids prepared."