Staples Boys Lacrosse Coach McNulty Reflects on Stellar Season

First-year Staples boys lacrosse head coach Paul McNulty made an immediate impact after arriving back at his alma mater, helping to spearhead the school's first undefeated (16-0) regular season. Triumphs over the likes of Greenwich and Ridgefield were just a few of the memorable moments of the team's spring campaign.

After a tough loss in the FCIAC tourney to St. Joseph and a one-goal defeat at the hands of Fairfield Prep in the semifinals of the state tournament, it's clear the Wreckers are on the rise.  McNulty recently answered several questions for Westport Patch in reflecting on his first season at the helm for Staples boys lacrosse.

Q:  What were some of the top highlights this past spring for Staples lacrosse?

A: Beating defending FCIAC champ Ridgefield,  who had a lot of returning players,  and two games later, beating Greenwich, an established FCIAC power and now the current FCIAC champion.

Q: What was the toughest part of the season? 

A: With three games to go in the regular season the team was feeling extra pressure to go undefeated. But that was a good problem to have.

Q: How special was it to run the table in the regular season?

A: It was definitely an excellent accomplishment. We had to get up for every game because everyone wanted to beat us.

Q: What was the toughest loss to take for you and your players?

A: The FCIAC loss which followed the 16 -0 regular season.  The burden of going 16- 0 made that game hard to get up for.  But we did play great in our three state playoff games.

Q: How special is it to be a part of taking a solid program to a whole new level? 

A:  Being told our '09 season was the first winning season (for Staples) since 1998 was definitely good to hear.

Q: What are your players doing this summer? 

A: Many players are going to recruiting camps and playing on elite teams.  We have six players playing college lax in the fall  and already we have two rising seniors committed to college lacrosse.