Athlete Of The Week: Sawyer McCutchen

NORTH EASTHAM – Less than eight minutes had gone by during Nauset boys lacrosse’s first game of the Division 3 state tournament Monday, and senior Sawyer McCutchen had already scored four goals. 

That, along with junior Oscar Escher’s three first-quarter goals, got the scoring thoroughly started for the No. 2 seed Warriors, who glided to a 20-6 win over No. 34 seed Montachusett in the first round.

McCutchen’s four goals, three of which came within the game’s first three minutes, made up part of a nine-goal first quarter. 

The Warriors needed those early goals to get going, according to Head Coach Jesse Peno, who said McCutchen is “a huge part” of the offense and has “had an incredible year.”

“We kind of put our foot on the gas pedal, and he was a huge part of that today,” Peno said.

An Orleans resident, McCutchen said teammates “were just feeding me on the crease.”

“They have the ability to just see me anywhere on the field, and I love that, and so I give them a lot of credit,” he said.

Nauset’s 20 goals in the opening playoff game are the most the team has scored all season. Eleven different Warriors scored against Montachusett, but McCutchen and Escher’s four goals each were the high marks.

“It feels great,” McCutchen said. “I love the feeling of a goal. It’s amazing. All your teammates come around you, hugging you, giving you high fives, everything. It’s great. Love it.”