BRUNSWICK — Cheverus, a team that has given the Brunswick High School boys lacrosse team fits over the past few years, was the opponent for the topseeded Dragons in an Eastern Maine Class A semifinal contest on Saturday.

Brunswick, which lost to the Stags on back-to-back playoff occasions before finally taking Cheverus down last year on the way to the State Class A title game, started quickly and pulled away late for a 19-8 win.

The Dragons will host No. 2 Messalonskee, 10-4 and a 14-5 semifinal winner over third-seeded Lewiston, on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for the Eastern A Regional title. Brunswick defeated the Eagles twice during the regular season, winning 19-12 at Thomas College in Waterville and 17-13 at home on May 27.

Brunswick opened up a 5-0 lead in the first quarter against Cheverus (8-6).

“We had an excellent start,” said Brunswick coach Don Glover of his 14-0 Dragons. “They played a zone, and instead of taking good shots, we held for a better shot. Their goalie (Sean Walsh, eight saves) made some good stops to keep them in it.”

Cheverus pushed back in the second quarter, closing to 8-4 by halftime. But, the Dragons scored during a two-minute non-releasable penalty that extended into the third quarter, and Brunswick was able to pull away from there.

Matt Brooks led the Dragons with six goals and four assists, while Ryan Croatti finished with five goals. Kyle Woodruff chipped in three goals and a helper, Cameron Glover had two goals and four assists, Tyler Hillis two goals and TJ Sullivan one.

Face-off specialist Ian Schlosser won 19 of 25 faceoffs.

Brunswick native Jamie Kane, Alexander Rason and Finn Cawley had two goals each for fourth-seeded Cheverus.

Dragons goaltender Mitchell Smith, (“Mitchell had an incredible game,” said Don Glover) had 11 saves, including seven in the opening half.