COHASSET — The South Shore has become a hotbed for boys lacrosse over the past 20 years.

In a matchup between two perennial powerhouses, Jack Mullaly was the difference. The senior captain took on a newfound role Friday, registering a hat trick as Cohasset (4-0) made a statement with an impressive 9-6 victory over Duxbury.

“I think we had three great days of practice,” said Cohasset coach Steve Rotondi. “We scouted, we came in with a plan and we’ve been talking about correcting mistakes. Sticking to what we needed to do to be successful today. It was a question of would we do it or not, and they did. The kids stepped up between the lines.”

For Cohasset, it was the first win over the Dragons since 2018. Entering Friday’s tilt, Duxbury (4-2) was listed ninth overall in the Boston Herald’s top 25, with the Skippers hunting to be in the mix. The Dragons threw the game’s opening punch, as Liam Goodwin sniped a shot to make it a 1-0 game with 8:32 left in the first quarter.

It was the only time Cohasset trailed. Just 1:06 later, Mullaly sniped the equalizer, as the Skippers drew even. His classmate and fellow captain, Shane Mulcahy, buried a shot with 1:44 to go in the frame, making it 2-1.

After Duxbury fought back to tie things at 2-all off a shot from Jake Falls with 9:06 remaining in the half, Cohasset caught lightning in a bottle with three unanswered tallies. Mulcahy connected for two more goals to complete a hat trick, before Max Monahan tacked on a third as the Skippers built a 5-3 lead at intermission.

Once the third quarter began, Cohasset found a second gear, shutting down the Dragons in the frame. Gus Greene and Taighe Dwyer each potted a goal, before Mullaly ripped a rocket into the twine with 2:11 to go in the stanza. Suddenly, the Skippers had broken things open in stunning fashion with a commanding 8-3 advantage.

Normally called upon as a facilitator out of the midfield, Mullaly found himself dialed in offensively.

“I feel like it was a great game from everybody,” Mullaly said. “I feel like we had a lot more opportunities with the middies dodging from up top. We took advantage of those opportunities really well, everyone on the field did. I think I just had a couple more land.”

Even when Duxbury ramped up the pressure late, Mullaly was able to breathe life back into the Skippers. The senior sprinted toward the net, and fired a bullet home for his third tally with 7:19 to play, sealing things as Cohasset made it a 9-5 affair.

In addition to Goodwin and Falls, Duxbury received goals from Brady Rhinesmith, Evert Pang and Cole Martin.

Cohasset continues to climb the Commonwealth’s rankings. The Skippers now turn their attention to their upcoming South Shore League slate, and the looming Chowda Cup, which is set to begin April 22.

“I think we (keep momentum) by just doing it just like any other game,” Mulcahy said. “Just had a big win, so got to keep it rolling. Just bring it to practice Sunday morning, and keep bringing the energy.”