Boys Lacrosse Cruises Past Newton South

May 29, 2026
• The Rockets outscored the Lions 11-3 in the second half. 

No. 15 Needham boys lacrosse defeated No. 18 Newton South, 17-7, in their first round playoff matchup, advancing to the second round for the sixth straight year.

The Rockets were led by junior Matt Ledbury and senior Cal Sullivan with six goals.

Newton South opened the scoring in the first quarter with a goal from Jacob Spector just under four minutes in. Needham answered with three straight goals, each from a different player, to take a 3-1 lead at the 5:06 mark. But, the Lions scored two goals in the last 1:30 of the quarter to tie the game at three.

Sullivan dominated the second quarter, scoring all three of the Rockets’ goals and giving them a 6-4 lead at halftime. He surpassed 150 career goals, having entered the game only needing two. Needham outshot Newton South 9-7 in the first half, controlled 8-of-13 face-offs, and forced multiple turnovers.

After a quiet first half, Ledbury came alive in the third, scoring four goals. Sullivan added his fifth in the quarter as the Rockets outscored the Lions 5-1 to take a commanding 11-5 lead. Sophomore goalie Ben Lieberman saved 5-of-6 (83.3%) Newton South shots on goal to help the Rockets pull away in the quarter. The one goal he allowed was the third for Spector, who had four total in the game.

Needham continued to dominate in the fourth, scoring six more goals while only allowing two. Junior John McCarthy scored a highlight goal after winning a face-off and scoring immediately after, and senior captain Tyler Scully scored his first of the game in the fourth. Tyler Berger added his second goal of the game, while Ledbury scored his final two and Sullivan netted one, to make the final 17-7.

The Rockets outshot the Lions 23-15, while Lieberman stopped 8 of Newton South’s 15 shots on goal (53.3%).

Needham will face the winner of No. 2 St. John’s Prep vs. No. 31 Arlington in the second round. The date and time of that matchup is to be determined.