The Boston Cannons defeated the Maryland Whipsnakes 9-7 in a quarterfinal playoff game Saturday night in Minneapolis, advancing to the semifinals despite a slow start to the season. A strong defensive performance and a hat trick from Coulter Mackesy propelled the Cannons to victory.
The Cannons began the season with a 1-4 record and faced criticism, but have since improved. Head coach Brian Holman attributed the team’s turnaround to “patience and a lot of love and a lot of communication,” noting the challenges of integrating new players.
Coulter Mackesy, a second-year attackman, led the Cannons’ offense with three goals on 11 shots, including what he called his first between-the-legs (BTB) goal. Matt Campbell, the 2025 Gait Brothers Midfielder of the Year, returned to the field after missing almost two months with an injury, though he did not score.
JC Higginbotham, the Cannons’ goalie, stopped 70% of Maryland’s shots in the first half and was a key factor in the defensive effort. Will Donovan’s move to close defense also contributed, with Holman praising Donovan’s “instincts” and ability to guard opposing attackmen. Ethan Rall scored a goal, caused three turnovers, and scooped up seven ground balls, while Owen Grant added two caused turnovers.
Veteran attackman Marcus Holman emphasized the importance of the Cannons’ defense, stating, “If you hold a team to seven goals, you should win that game.” He also acknowledged the game wasn’t their “prettiest,” but highlighted it was a playoff lacrosse game.
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