South Portlanders Kam Andrews and Jack Fiorini hashed a hat trick apiece – and seven of their teammates lit the proverbial lamp as well – against visiting Gorham on Saturday evening as the No. 1 Riots battered the five-seed Rams 16-7 in the teams’ semifinal matchup.

“We played a great first,” said South Portland head coach Tom Fiorini. “We had patience with the ball on offense, and [played good] man-to-man D. In the second, we got sloppy and tried to do too much, which led to us giving up goals.”

The win bumped the Riots to 12-1 on the season. They will host No. 2 Thornton (11-3) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday the 17th in the A West Final.

South Portland controlled from the outset. Andrew Whipple found Jack Fiorini for the team’s first point, just 1:42 into the opening quarter. A minute and 10 seconds later, Whipple assisted Jake Angell for their second. Whipple followed up with two more assists, both to Andrews, before adding a goal of his own with just 6.2 seconds to play in the first.

In the second, the Rams doubled-down on both Jack Fiorini and Whipple, and slowed the Riots’ attack for a long stretch. Mike Susi gave Gorham their first point midway through the quarter, but soon enough, South Portland answered. Heavier coverage on Fiorini meant other talented Riots marksmen opened up.

“If they try to shut off Andrew and Jack,” said Tom Fiorini, “that’s fine. We have plenty of other players who are capable of scoring.”

Andrews and Jack Fiorini finished with three apiece, as mentioned; Fiorini also had a pair of assists. Whipple finished with two goals and seven assists. Chris Mitchell and Lucas Michaud finished with two goals each, and Michaud had one assist. Kyle Halvorsen, Eben Babbidge, and James Ellis earned one apiece.

“We need to stay patient on offense,” said Tom Fiorini, “and play a complete, 48-minute lacrosse game…We’re looking forward to Wednesday.”

Also of note: Jack Fiorini has been named a 2015 Brine National High School All-American, and has been selected to represent New England at the 2014 Brine National Lacrosse Classic, to be held at the River City Sportsplex in Virginia, from June 29-July 2.

The Brine National Classic gathers together top high school talent from across the country, pitting regional teams against one another on a national stage. Plenty of college coaches will be in attendance.

Gorham’s Mike Susi levers into a shot at South Portland on Saturday.Boys lacrosse players are often told to pressure their opponents’ hands…but sometimes the chin gets in the way. South Portland’s Lucas Michaud collides with Gorham’s Alex York in the teams’ semifinal on Saturday.Cam Wright loses his footing trying to escape from heavy Riots defense.Jack Fiorini splits a pair of Gorham defenders – Taylor Perkins (27) and Ryan Hamblen (6) – to unwind into a shot.Gorham’s Mat Anderson harangues South Portlander Patrick Graff in the teams’ semifinal on Saturday.Gorham’s Mat Anderson guards Riots standout Andrew Whipple.South Portland’s Andrew Whipple elbows into Gorham defender Alex York.