Last season, the boys lacrosse team relied on only one senior to guide success and authority on the field, but with a senior class of 13 players this year, the team is equipped for a shift in leadership.
Head Coach Michael Bassani said the biggest improvement he expects from having a large and unique senior class is to play as a maturely skilled varsity team and be level with opposing teams.
“Two to three years ago, our skill level as a program was not that strong, so these guys got the chance to play a lot on varsity as freshmen and sophomores,” he added.
Senior captain Henry Pitts explained having this many seniors allows for more depth and experienced players on the varsity roster.
He added this sets a great example for younger players who will one day play on a more competitive level as well.
Pitts said playing extensive varsity minutes along with participating in club lacrosse over the years has led them to reach their full potential on the field for their final season together.
“I think the amount of experience we have as a class will be a huge contributor to our success this year,” he added.
Junior captain Solan Coutts said the seniors have all experienced varsity level competition for years now. They are extremely comfortable with the tempo and physicality of the game, which brings a bulk of the talent to the field, he explained.
“As they’ve matured as lacrosse players, they’ve become more disciplined, and their knowledge base has increased, which allows them to stay calm during pressure situations,” he added.
Senior Wyatt Simons said he sees an abundance of leadership on the team this year compared to years prior, along with a healthy sense of seniority.
“Most of the seniors have been playing lacrosse alongside each other since third grade, making this a meaningful season with the goal of positively leaving it all on the field,” he added.
The class’s diverse set of skills and loud leadership has set the tone for years to come, Bassani explained.
“They have changed the perception of the program and put us on the map as a legit contender,” he added.
Many of the team members have been varsity starters since freshman year, which has given them more exposure to high pressure games and intense plays, Simons said.
Coutts said multiple leaders are impactful on the field because their chemistry with the ball improves as a result.
Bassani explained the team’s double overtime comeback after being down 0-6 in the third quarter against Jonathan Alder March 25 was possible because of the team’s maturity, leadership and strength. He said they might not have been capable of this comeback in prior seasons.
“In years past, we would have given up and turned on each other,” he added.
There are all different kinds of leaders this season, which is extremely helpful in all aspects of lacrosse, Simons said.
Pitts explained their leadership prevailed against Bishop Watterson March 28, when they put up nine goals and came closer than ever to defeating a team who has been a front-runner in the league for years.
Last year, the Lions put up two goals against the Eagles, making this year’s matchup a huge improvement for Bexley, he added.
This class has already left their mark on the Bexley lacrosse program and will continue to do so throughout the season, Bassani said.
“I expect us to have the best season in program history this year and send them off on a positive note,” he added.
