DUXBURY — Whenever a team attempts to take away a top weapon, someone has to pick up the slack.

TJ Pikul started his Saturday feeling confident, and decided it was his time to shine.

The senior turned in one of his best games of the season with a four-goal performance, while classmate Zach Falls netted four goals himself as Duxbury avenged its loss in the 2023 Div. 2 boys lacrosse final with a convincing 15-5 drubbing of Reading in the Players Cup championship.

“Honestly, it feels great,” Falls said. “We remember that game like it was yesterday. It’s always in the back of our heads. This tournament? This was big for us to make a statement. Duxbury is no joke, and we’re coming. We don’t care if you’re Division 1. We don’t care if you’re D2. We want everyone, and we’re going to take you. We’re going to play our best game against you, and that’s what you’re going to get.”

The Dragons (7-1) entered their den, hoping for payback.

Meanwhile, following its dominant run in tournament play, Reading (6-1) made a concerted effort to isolate Duxbury star attackman Sam Wien. Despite that, however, the Dragons still found ways to pot goals in the first half. Pikul netted a hat trick in the first two quarters. Meanwhile, Falls added a pair to help the Dragons construct a 7-3 edge at the break.

“I knew I was due,” chuckled Pikul. “I was feeling it this morning when I woke up.”

Once play resumed, the Dragons picked up right where they left off. Liam Goodwin tallied his second goal with 9:22 left in the third quarter, as Duxbury extended its lead to 8-3. Pikul added a goal later in the frame, before Wien added his name to the box score with a snipe to provide the Dragons an 11-5 lead entering the fourth.

“We’re a team full of good players, and we rotate,” Pikul said. “We each do the little things right. When the whole team does the little things right, and puts in the work, everyone shines. That’s what happened here today. 15-5, great win over the team that beat us last year in the ‘chip, Reading. Great revenge.”

Once the final quarter began, the Dragons were able to pull away, outscoring the Rockets 4-0 in the frame to seal things.

Goodwin finished with a hat trick for Duxbury as well, with Colin Hulett recording two goals in the effort.

Joey Casetlli paced things offensively for Reading, netting two goals.

“Obviously as a coach, I’m pleased,” said Duxbury coach Chris Sweet. “It was a big week. We proved a lot to ourselves as a team, what we’re capable of. We just had one of those great weeks where everybody showed up on our team, and played well. We played really good lacrosse at both ends of the field.”

Reading’s Nick Casanaro, left, attempts a shot on goal while being defended by Duxbury’s Cole Martin on Saturday in Duxbury. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)