The Franklin boys’ lacrosse team extended its perfect start to 10–1 with a thrilling 11–10 win over previously undefeated Mansfield on Friday. Both squads entered at 7–0 in Hockomock League play, Mansfield at 12–0 overall, and Franklin at 9–1, and the contest lived up to the hype. The Hornets struck first, but Franklin answered repeatedly, trading goals through the first three quarters. Each time Mansfield pulled ahead, the Panthers rallied, showcasing balanced scoring from attackmen and midfielders. With the game tied 10–10 and only 16 seconds remaining, senior Nate Walsh seized his moment. Driving hard to goal, Walsh fired a low shot past the goalie for the game-winner, snapping Franklin’s one-goal deficit and igniting the home crowd. That goal marked Franklin’s 57th straight league victory, continuing a run that saw the Panthers go 10–0 in conference play last season. Tomorrow at 6 PM, Franklin hosts North Attleboro, a team on a five-game win streak. At Franklin High School, the Panthers will look to maintain their Hockomock dominance and build momentum for postseason seeding. With Walsh’s heroics and balanced play across offense and defense, Franklin remains the team to beat as the league race intensifies.
