AC Lacrosse Honors Seniors

The Arlington Catholic boys' lacrosse team came together Tuesday for one final time after completing what was the most successful season in the program's history.

Coach Dan Brothers recognized the team's top performers and 10 departing seniors in a reception for players and their parents at the Arlington American Legion.

"It's a good night, but it's also a sad night," he said at the awards' ceremony. "I've really developed strong relationships with all 10 seniors over the years."

Brothers presented senior long-pole defender John Needham with the team's Most Outstanding Player award.

Needham, recently named a Catholic Central League all-star with five of his teammates, was the backbone of a Cougar defense that allowed the fewest goals against, 109, in school history.

"He played with a high level of intensity each time he stepped on the field," Brothers said.

Seniors Corey Donovan and Joe Daly, along with teammates Jamey Conley, Michael Centola and Evan Mills, were also named league all-stars. The Cougars (17-6) took a share of the league title and advanced to the quarter finals of the East Division 3 tournament.

Senior attacker Chris Wright was named the team's breakout player by Brothers.

"He played each game with reckless abandon," Brothers said.

Wright, of Hamilton, had a hat-trick in the preliminary round of the tournament in a 12-7 win against Fairhaven. He followed it up with another hat-trick in a 6-5 win over Martha's Vineyard in the tournament's first round. He had 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists) on the season.

Senior captain John Raimo received the Coach's Award, which goes to the team's unsung hero. Conley, Mills, John Busa and Daniel Graham were named as the team's captains for next year, while Kyle Daly earned the junior-varsity player of the year award.

The team's 10 seniors at a glance:

Corey Donovan, No. 6, two-year captain

● Long-pole defender

● Three-year letter winner, two-time league all-star

● A member of the National Honor Society, Donovan will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

● "He was a near perfect player," Brothers said. "One of the most dedicated and motivated players that I have ever coaches in 30-plus seasons."

John Raimo, No. 23, captain

● Midfielder from Medford

● Had eight goals and 17 assists in 2010

● Three-year letter winner

● A member of the National Honor Society, Raimo will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Joe Daly, No. 8, captain

● Midfielder from Woburn

● Had 35 goals and 22 assists in 2010

● Two-year letter winner, league all-star

● He will play lacrosse at Southern New Hampshire University

Breandan Crane, No. 30, captain

● Attacker and goalie from Billerica

● Four-year letter winner

● He will play lacrosse at Regis College

John Needham, No. 1

● Long-pole defender from Medford

● Two-year letter winner, league all-star

● He will pursue hockey at South Kent School in Connecticut

Chris Wright, No. 11

● Attacker from Hamilton

● Had 24 goals and 21 assists in 2010

● Two-year letter winner

● Will attend the University of New Hampshire

Chris Barrile, No. 22

● Attacker from Medford

● Had 21 goals and 23 assists in 2010

● Two-year letter winner

● Will attend Roger Williams College

Justin Guanci, No. 10

● Midfielder from Tewksbury

● Had six goals and five assists in 2010

● Two-year letter winner

● Will attend Merrimack College

Paul Kehoe, No. 19

● Midfielder from Stoneham

● Had five goals and four assists in 2010

● Two-year letter winner

● A member of the National Honor Society, Kehoe will attend Assumption College

Jeff Devine, No. 28

● Long-pole defender from Medford

● Three-year letter winner

● Will attend the University of New Hampshire