It was year of firsts for the Boys  Varsity Lacrosse team in what can only be categorized as their most successful season in program history. Although not over yet, the team has logged an incredible eleven wins, met only with five losses, which ties them with the most wins in St. Rose Boy Varsity Lacrosse history. Other milestones include a program defining win over Southern Regional in the Shore Conference Tournament and earning a seed high enough in the state tournament to warrant a state game at home.
The group of boys behind this team was composed of mainly seniors, 12, who led an extremely talented group of underclassmen to become one cohesive unit. The team returned all four of its captains from the prior year, and the leadership skills and respect the team has for them was an indispensable quality. Griffin McDermott, Senior Captain and emotional anchor, illustrated just how important team chemistry and unified effort under a leader is when he scored in overtime against New Egypt on senior day. The sweet victory made waves around the shore and was an example of the Boys Lacrosse team getting the job done despite not being the most talented team.
The highlight of the season is without a doubt the teams win over Southern Regional in the shore conference tournament. St. Rose received a 14 seed in the tournament and was given a tough test when they faced the 3 seed in Southern Regional. Prior to this year, a 1, 2,or 3 seed had never lost in the first game of the shore conference tournament for lacrosse. This means that when St. Rose won 8-7 in a game that was close the entire way, they had completed the biggest upset in tournament history. Furthermore, to prove the win against southern wasn’t a fluke, in the following game the boys faced St. John Vianney, the 6 seed, and gave them all they could handle losing only by three goals. Senior attackman Chris Bormida, who broke the single season point record this year, said beating Southern Regional was without a doubt the highlight of his career. “I don’t think I will ever forget it. We did what nobody gave us a chance to do. We battled, we outworked them, and we did it as a team. I’m so proud to be a part of this team and of everything we have done.”

by Alex Phipps ’17