{span}Exeter’s Owen Williams (center) is congratulated by Tyler Bland (right) and Griffin Genard after Williams opened the scoring of Exeter’s 12-2 win over Chelmsford (Mass.) on Wednesday. Marshall Lasewicz (11) jogs in the join.{/span}
{span}Exeter’s Owen Williams (center) is congratulated by Tyler Bland (right) and Griffin Genard after Williams opened the scoring of Exeter’s 12-2 win over Chelmsford (Mass.) on Wednesday. Marshall Lasewicz (11) jogs in the join.{/span}
EXETER — Over the past three seasons, the Exeter High School boys lacrosse team has been knocking on the door of winning the program’s first Division I championship, only to fall short against Bishop Guertin.
With the motivation to win that elusive championship at full throttle, the Blue Hawks have come into this season with a mission to complete, and they’re certainly playing that way so far this spring.
Exeter’s latest early-season conquest came on Wednesday night when it improved to 4-0 by blitzing Chelmsford (Mass.) by a 12-2 decision at William Ball Stadium. Senior Owen Williams and junior Marshall Lasewicz scored three goals apiece for the Blue Hawks.
“Coming off last year, we came up short in the playoffs and we came back this year looking to pull this team back together and pedal to the metal throughout this season,” Lasewicz said. “We’re just going to come into every game with our best mindset and try to kill every team.”
After losing twice to BG in back-to-back championship games in 2021 and 2022, Exeter’s quest to reach a third straight title game in 2023 ended when Pinkerton Academy held off an onslaught of Exeter shots in the final four minutes in last year’s semifinals for a 13-12 victory.
Exeter won two state titles while it was in Division II, in 2000 and 2001.
In his third season at the helm, Exeter coach Matt Brewster can feel his team’s hunger. The Blue Hawks have outscored opponents 53-15 entering Friday’s game against Pinkerton (2-2) in Derry.
“They’re definitely motivated and this is definitely a very team-oriented group. They all like each other, which is certainly a benefit,” Brewster said. “I’ve got guys who just want to get better at lacrosse and that’s a good feeling. We’ve come out good, but I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we want to be because it’s still too early, but we’ve got some good things cooking.”
Exeter may have graduated 14 seniors from last year, but the Blue Hawks returned nearly their entire defense. Senior goalie Ethan Bernich is the backbone as a three-year starter and is helped by Saint Anselm College commit Tanner Smith, Harry Caracciolo, Andrew Nichols and Fletcher Neveu.
“(Bernich) has clearly been the No. 1 kid here and he’s grown with his voice and how he carries himself,” Brewster said. “He’s grown up, matured, and he uses his voice. He’s not the loudest guy in the locker room, but he’s highly respected by everybody and has just done a great job of being a great captain and leader.”
Brewster noted that Bernich received a few Divison I collegiate looks, but Bernich made an academic decision to play for perennial Division III powerhouse Rochester Institute of Technology.
“I’m very confident in the defense in front of me and pretty much all of them have been starting since I came in sophomore year, so we’ve got a good group and meshing well and I’m excited to see what our offense can do,” Bernich said. “I feel like we’re more energized this year. Everyone wants this.”
Williams has an extra chip on his shoulder after missing the majority of his junior season with an injury before he returned in time for the stretch run. The Jacksonville University commit is already off to a fast start as the go-to player on offense along with Lasewicz and sophomore Patrick Hathaway.
“I think it’s more of a ‘want’ factor between everyone in that locker room and we’re all eager for this championship and we’ve got a great group of guys to do it,” Williams said.
