New Boys Lax Coach Wants ‘Classy’ Program

Members of the MHS boys lacrosse team fight for the ball during their April 19 victory over Cambridge. Photo by Tricia Healey.

Story Updated 10:10AM Thursday, April 22, 2010

– Allison Goldsberry

Ask new Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Mike Engel about his goals for the season, and you might be surprised by his answer.

“We want to become known as a very classy program. We want guys that are class acts,” said Engel.

Engel, a guidance counselor at Everett High School, defined a “class act” as an athlete that plays the game with respect and who plays the right way.

“The wins and losses take care of themselves…I think that product will show up on the field,” said Coach Engel.

The Mustang varsity lacrosse team is off to a strong 4-2 start under the new head coach, with victories over Northbridge, Saugus, Cambridge, and Malden.

“We’re having a nice year,” said Engel.

Engel said there is “a lot of excitement” around this year’s program, which includes both a varsity and junior varsity team. According to Engel, lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the country.

Engel, a former All-American lacrosse player for Newton North High School and coach at Marian High School, has recruited two pro lax players from the Boston Blazers as assistant coaches, Nick Cotter and Gary Bining.

The Mustangs are currently 2-0 in the Greater Boston League after defeating Cambridge and Malden this week. They are ranked tenth in the state according to a Boston Globe sports poll.

Coach Engel said being recognized by the poll was nice but that “rankings don’t mean that much.”

Medford will host Cambridge and Malden on Tuesday, April 27 and Thursday, April 29, respectively.

Since Somerville and Everett do not have boys lacrosse teams, the GBL competition includes only Malden and Cambridge. The Mustangs will have plenty of non-league games to round out their schedule.