CM Lacrosse Wins School's First-Ever Catholic Conference Championship

Editor's note: The following was provided by Catholic Memorial.

's varsity lacrosse team made history on Tuesday night, capturing the program's first Catholic Conference championship with a 9-8 win over BC High. 

For Coach Kevin Lynch and the 11-3 Knights, four regular season games remain before a postseason where they hope to make even more history.

Going into the May 8 matchup, the team heard that St. John's Prep had lost to Xaverian earlier in the day, meaning the conference crown was theirs for the taking.

"Hearing that news definitely helped motivate them," said Coach Lynch, "and they executed."

Despite the win, Lynch was equanimous. "I congratulated them. They did make history. But we need to make sure this isn't the high point of the season - and that's to get another banner," he said.

One of CM's youngest athletic programs, lacrosse has grown fast at CM since 1999, now fielding three sub-varsity levels. This marks the program's eighth varsity season. 

Senior captains Tom Stanton and Miles McCarthy credited the conference win to the enthusiasm of this year's players.

"We've always had athletes, but we've not always had lacrosse players," said Stanton. "These are kids who just love to play, who want to get results."

McCarthy noted what a strong presence of college-bound players are on this year's squad: he'll play at Williams next year, while Stanton will play at Union. Austin Bannister '12 and Chris Ryan '12 likewise will play in top lacrosse programs.

"But every player is contributing," McCarthy, the team's starting goaltender, added. "And we really had some kids who showed up to play last night - Tyler Bogart played really well, as did Austin [Bannister], and Chris [Ryan] and Ryan Sullivan on defense."

Coach Lynch credits his senior leaders for setting the tone early in the season, one that began with 63 goals accumulated in the first five games. 

"They're committed to getting better at every practice and every game," said Lynch.

Of the remaining games, Lynch said Norwell and Archbishop Williams will be tough opponents.

Last year, the team advanced through the preliminary round to the first round of the postseason. This year's team is optimistic that they can get further. "This was our first goal," said Stanton, "but now, to do what we can for a run in the postseason is our goal."