In what may be a preview of the State Division 1 Tournament boys lacrosse championship game next month, Billerica High broke on top early but couldn’t sustain it as host Duxbury handed the top-ranked Indians their first loss, 9-6.

Boys lacrosse

Duxbury 9

Billerica 6

Grant Whiteway, who leads the state in both goals (64) and total points (102), netted a hat trick for BMHS, which fell to 13-1 overall while Duxbury improved to 13-1.

Cam Slatton (assist), Ben Melaugh (assist) and Bill Frevold also scored, Jim Holland and Tim Canniff had assists and DJ Smith made 6 saves.

Also playing well in the defensive struggle were Sean Dougherty, Mike Hurley, Ian Abrahamson, Ryan Nickerson and Sean McLaughlin.

“We started off with a 3-0 lead,” said Billerica coach Craig Flynn. “We didn’t play so well in the second and third periods — but I was proud the way the kids came back in the fourth and fought to the end. Hopefully we get another shot at these guys in the tourney.”

Billerica hosts Chelmsford in an MVC 1 rematch/showdown tomorrow under the lights at Calabrese Stadium (7 p.m.).