Boys Lax Looks to Hit Ground Running

Members of the MHS boys lacrosse team fight for the ball during a victory over Cambridge last year. Photo by Tricia Healey.

– Allison Goldsberry

After posting a solid record, winning the GBL, and qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in four years last season, the boys lacrosse team is planning on another strong season this year.

Head Coach Mike Engel, in his second season, said the team’s goals are to “play with class,” defeat teams the Mustangs lost to last season, and to qualify for the state tournament again.

“Our goals and expectations of the season-”keep playing….with class” This motto is what we live by. It means that we always play aggressive and up until the final horn, but we also do so with class. We aim to respect ourselves, our teammates, the game of lacrosse and those that invented it-Native Americans. Our second goal is to beat several teams that we lost to last year, and make it back to the division 1 state tournament, like we did last year,” said Engel.

This year’s team will be led by senior captains Pat Trainer, Pio Romano, and Joao Rosa. They are part of a program that has grown tremendously, thanks in part to a strong feeder system and help from Athletic Director Bob Maloney.

According to Coach Engel, the Mustangs’ toughest opponents this season are all outside of the Greater Boston League, including Northbridge (a team they defeated in overtime last year), Framingham, Brookline, Malden Catholic, and Arlington.

“Arlington is a major ‘friendly rivalry.’ I am good friends with the head coach, Danny Gardner, and the kids always get fired up for that one,” said Engel.

The team’s first home game is Friday, April 1 at 4:00PM when Wakefield comes to town. The Mustangs will play their first game on the artificial turf fields installed behind the high school last summer.