Ronan Schipani's return helped propel Norwell High boys lacrosse to its first state title
WORCESTER – Starring in a state championship was not the spot Norwell High boys lacrosse player Ronan Schipani expected to be in on Wednesday.
Four games into the season, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his shin. That injury was supposed to end his season. This season was a homecoming for Schipani, who spent his freshman year at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham.
“I was devastated when I missed (time), I knew I was going to be out for most of the season, my first season here,” said Schipani. “When I came back, it felt amazing to know that we could make a run.”
More: Norwell High boys lacrosse team claims first state title with 'unbelievable' performance
Although the sophomore was playing through the pain, Schipani posted a stellar performance in an 11-3 win over Medfield in the Division 3 state final. He scored two goals with a long pole and helped anchor a defense that limited the Warriors to their lowest goal total since 2018.
“It was huge,” said Norwell senior Griffin Vetrano of getting Schipani back from injury. “He’s obviously a very good player and it was really special. We really did need him and he proved it tonight. He was amazing.”
Schipani said he played the first four games of the season (the Clippers went 4-0 in those games) and didn’t return until the Division 3 Round of 16 win over Nipmuc.
More: Norwell High boys lacrosse team claims first state title with 'unbelievable' performance
“It’s definitely a push,” said Schipani of playing through the injury. “Technically, I wasn’t even supposed to be back. The injury has been still prolonged. I’ve been going through pain but once I get going on the field with the adrenaline, it disappears.”
When Scipani first went down, Norwell had some initial struggles. They dropped their only two games of the season, losing to Marshfield in the Chowda Cup and falling to Franklin in April. Those were the only two games in which Norwell allowed double-digit goals.
With Schipani on the field, Norwell went 8-0 and allowed 24 total goals.
In the state final against Medfield, Schipani successfully cleared the ball in the first half and had a good look at a shot. He hesitated and passed the ball, which ultimately resulted in a turnover. He didn’t pass up his chances in the second half.
“Earlier in the game, he had a shot and he didn’t shoot it,” said Vetrano. “He pulled up and passed it. We were like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to shoot it.’ And (later) he did and it was huge. He stepped up tremendously.”
More: Dynamite defensive performance sends Norwell boys lacrosse past Hanover into state final
Schipani’s first goal came in the third quarter. Medfield scored to pull within three goals, but Schipani finished off an assist from Austin Shea. That started a five-goal Norwell run, including four goals in the final 2:46 of the third quarter, to break the game open.
His second goal was the final goal of the day, a little cherry on top of a state-championship sundae.
“I’ve known all of these kids for my whole life and I just think we owe it to the seniors to give them a championship,” said Schipani, who played hockey in the winter. “This is one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of, and I just think it was our year and we deserved it.”
Schipani said he returned to Norwell because Nobles wasn’t the right fit.
“It’s like a homecoming to me to be able to come back and win a state championship with my home friends,” said Schipani. “It means the world to me, it’s the best.”
"I belong back here with my boys.”
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Back at home and on the field, Schipani stars for Norwell boys lax
