D1 Boys Lacrosse Preview: Bishop Guertin looks like the top contender going into 2021

It should probably come as no surprise that it would take nothing short of a global pandemic to keep the Bishop Guertin High School and Pinkerton Academy boys lacrosse teams from meeting in the Division I title game.

The cancelation of the 2020 season snapped a seven-year run of the two programs meeting in the final lacrosse game of the high school season in New Hampshire. For Bishop Guertin, it was the first spring since 2004 that the Cardinals weren’t playing in the final.

With so many question marks dotting the lacrosse landscape this year, there is perhaps one thing that can be counted on – Bishop Guertin will be very good. OK, make it three things, because Pinkerton and Exeter look like the two teams that could come the closest to challenging the Cardinals.

Like many of the previous seasons, the fourth spot in the division could go to a handful of teams. The only difference this year is that, because of the open tournament and likely regional brackets, it could really be just about any team.

Favorite

• Bishop Guertin: The Cardinals had, on paper, what was arguably their most talented roster in program history in 2020, and despite losing some of that to graduation, this year’s group isn’t far behind. Bishop Guertin has experienced players returning at every position, with the exception of in the crease, but the defense might be where the Cardinals are the strongest. Seniors Aidan Ahearn (Villanova), John Sullivan (West Point) and Matt Cranney (Merrimack) give Bishop Guertin three Division I commits on defense with junior Nick Dahl also playing a big role for the Cardinals. Six goalies, led by seniors Matt Peicker and Dylan Steward, will battle for playing time while junior JJ Murphy returns to handle faceoffs. There are as many as 10 midfielders who could be in the rotation, led by seniors Michael Kiely, Nick McGovern, Chris Heitmiller and Calvin Jozkos. Another trio of seniors – Dawson Clark, Jon Kirkorian and Declan Wilkie – will lead the way at attack.

Challengers

• Pinkerton: With a lot of new faces on the field, the Astros will rely on their seniors early, especially on the offensive end. Hunter Drouin, Mason Barbone and Aidan Price all return at attack, while senior Jackson Morrissette and junior Riley Spellman are back at midfield. While Pinkerton looks for someone to step in goal, seniors Declan Turner, Tony Samiotes and Kiyoshi Dustin (LSM) will look to lead the defense.
• Exeter: The Blue Hawks return an experienced senior class, led by midfielders Spencer Clark and Connor Holly, both of whom earned all-state honors as sophomores. Also returning at midfield are seniors Jackson Hale and Hayden Lechner, while junior Adam Neil and sophomore Gabe Albert will also be in the mix. Seniors Aiden Drunsic and Jack Mantell return at attack, while seniors Zach Gilvar, Davis Nelson, Matt Camfield and Uly Ellis return on defense. Sophomore Ryan Tatman and freshman Ethan Bernich will compete for time in goal.

Contenders

• Londonderry: The Lancers will be playing with heavy hearts this spring after the death of senior Jake Naar. Seniors Zach Fawcett, Isaac McCune, Aidan Dennis and Jake Kester will be looked to lead in the midfield with Robby Derhak and Ian Ward (LSM) will lead the defense in front of goalie Tim Breau. Hunter Smith will lead the way on offense and Alex Gruchot will handle faceoffs.
• Nashua South: While the Panthers lost a good amount of talent to graduation, they’ve got a solid, experienced core returning, led by seniors Drew Fleury (attack) and Jaden Murphy (midfield/attack). Also back are juniors Connor Rowsell (midfield), Nate Campbell (junior) and Griffin Johnson (attack) as are senior midfielders Sam Fletcher, Tyler Armeen and Aidan Walsh, who will take faceoffs. The defense will be led by junior goalie Ethan Johnson and senior Joshua Taylor with sophomore LSM Cody Goode, freshman Sam Patenaude and junior Rhett Medling stepping up.
• Souhegan: The Sabers return one of the top players in senior midfielder Riley Lawhorn and he’ll be joined at midfield by senior Connor Holland and juniors Tony Garrant and Chris Weeden. Also back on offense is senior Will Boyle at attack while senior Alex Karpawich and freshman Cole Manning will be looked to to contribute. With senior Luke Manning out for the year with a shoulder injury, junior Billy Davidson will look to lead the defense with sophomore Brady Melvin and freshman Brett Bouvier.

Dark Horses

• Concord: The Crimson Tide will have a big group of juniors and sophomores getting their first varsity experience this year, with their three senior captains lead the way. Sam Nichol and Eaten Tarbell return, and will both likely see time at attack and midfield, while Aiden Pope is back to lead the defense.
• Bedford: The Bulldogs will have seniors to lean on at each spot on the field, with Connor Arbusto returning at attack, Max Manniello back at midfield and LSM William Enners also in the mix on defense. Junior middie Mangnus Steele should give Bedford a physical presence and junior Parker Henrichon will be key on defense.
• Salem: The Blue Devils return three players who started in 2019 in seniors Spencer Deane (midfield) and Eli Lumb (attack) and junior Hunter Day (defense), with all three serving as captains. Dom Bucceri and Nick Antonetti will also play key roles  on defense, while senior Chris Hildebrandt and freshman Jack Schoenrock will battle for the starting spot in goal. Freshman Brett Atkins and senior Conor Doyle, who transferred from California, will be looked to contribute at midfield while freshman Jeremy Poirier will see time on attack.

Rest of the Field

• Merrimack: The Tomahawks have plenty of numbers in their junior and senior classes, but will be looking to get experience quick. Seniors Dan Best, Declan Covell and Connor Lanigan return at midfield while seniors Jason Hostler and Stephen Petz are back on offense. Juniors Shea Goodwin and Matthew Todd are also back at midfield and attack, respectively. The defense will be led by seniors Sean Morrilly and Dylan Sadowski and junior Camden Wheeler, while senior Kevin Bull and junior goalie Aiden Ward get their first varsity action. Senior middies Brett Michawlewicz, Aiden Laporte and Nathan Fleming will also be looked to for contributions.
• Dover: The Green Wave had a combined 37 players graduate in 2018-19 and have just five on this year’s roster with varsity experience, led by senior Luke Geppert, who will be the backbone of the offense. Junior Preston Kozlowski will be looked at to contribute on offense from the midfield and possibly on attack, while Tyler Schneider and Joseph Hoeing look to go from defensive middies to two-way contributors. Seniors LSM Asa Forbes will be key Dover’s defense.
• Nashua North

Editor’s Note: With an open playoff divided into regional brackets, instead of predictions for who will make the playoffs and the final, below is a projected top five and a prediction for the championship game.

Top Five

1. Bishop Guertin
2. Exeter
3. Pinkerton
4. Nashua South
5. Londonderry

Championship

• Bishop Guertin over Exeter

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Spencer Clark, Exeter

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Ahearn, Bishop Guertin

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