2018 Central Mass Lax Previews: The Shrewsbury Colonials

By  Ryan Morgera (@RyanMor_ASSCO) 

Ed. Note- Spring has (sort of) sprung, and that means it's time for Central Mass lacrosse coverage here at SuiteSports. We've brought on a team of young writers to help cover the region in 2018, and we begin today with Ryan Morgera, an English and Mass Communications major at Assumption College, who also happened to be a heck of a lacrosse player during his days at Shrewsbury High School.

Ryan's first piece for SuiteSports isn't too far out of his comfort zone, as he previews his old team. Don't worry, we will be sure to keep him objective and honest, but who better to preview the Colonials than one of their own? 

Be on the lookout for more from Ryan, and our other new contributors, as the spring progresses!

Shrewsbury Colonials

Head Coach: Nate Skermont
Assistant Coaches: Matt Greenberg, Cole Vincequere, John Shapazian
Team Captain: Chris Campbell, Sr. LSM
Seniors: 10
First 3 Games: 3/29 @Littleton, 4/7 @Tantasqua, 4/10 @Westborough

RADIO: Shrewsbury Lacrosse, Leominster Baseball and More

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on "The Local Sports Luncbox" on WPKZ, I chatted with The Telegram & Gazette's Chris Kyne about local baseball and lacrosse, with a focus on the surging Leominster Blue Devils baseball team. Then, we were joined by Matty Ward and Chris Campbell, stars of the Shrewsbury lacrosse team, to tell us how they've been able to turn their season around.

Listen in below for all that, and more, on this week's show.

Postgame Blog: Big 3rd Quarter Helps Shrewsbury Survive Late Algonquin Rally

Junior Alec Buduo led Shrewsbury with four goals, all in the third quarter.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SHREWSBURY - While it may not have been a picture-perfect finish for the Colonials, it was an ending Shrewsbury will enjoy all the same. Thanks to an eight-goal third period, Shrewsbury built a lead, then held on for death life in the fourth to edge rival Algonquin 11-10.

The win moved Shrewsbury, who began the year 2-5 following a blowout loss to cross-town rival St. John's, to 7-5, and 4-0 in Mid-Wach A play. As the Colonials sit atop the league, they do so knowing they have defeated the next three best teams in Mid-Wach A (Wachusett, Groton-Dunstable and now Algonquin) each by a single goal.

"Every Mid-Wach game we go in to, we know it's gonna be a battle," senior midfielder Matty Ward said. "I'm proud that we pulled it out, and we've been able to pull out these kinds of games the past few weeks. It's huge for us, being 4-0 our first time through the league, and we're looking to continue it the rest of the season."

PHOTO GALLERY: Shrewsbury Lacrosse vs Algonquin

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury and Algonquin renewed their rivalry Thursday afternoon, and it was the host Colonials who came away with an 11-10 victory.

We'll have a full postgame blog up later tonight but, for now, enjoy the images of this thrilling Mid-Wach clash.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Shrewsbury's Skermont Named MIAA Lax Coach of the Year

Shrewsbury coach Nate Skermont (far left) celebrates the 2014 Division 2 Central/West championship with his team.     Photo credit: Shrewsbury Lacrosse.

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Following a season in which his team captured the first district title in school history, Shrewsbury lacrosse coach Nate Skermont was named the 2014-2015 Lacrosse Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).

Last year was a dream season for Shrewsbury in many ways. The Colonials avenged a 9-0 defeat at the hands of rival St. John's, knocking the Pioneers out of the playoffs in the Division 2 Central/West semifinals, then captured their first ever district title days later in a double-overtime thriller against Westfield.

The Colonials had many heroes last season, as goalie Chris Gorman earned All-American honors, attackmen Joe Buduo and Derek Tinsley wrote themselves into the program's history books with playoff game-winners, pole Griffin Couture established himself as one of the state's best players, and the squad rallied around then-junior Tim Hally's mother, who had suffered a brain stem stroke the year prior.

Skermont remembers last year's team as the best in program history, and a special group with character in spades.

Post Game Blog: Shrewsbury and St. John's Play One for the Ages

Shrewsbury celebrating its Division 2 Central/West semifinal win over rival St. John's. Click to enlarge.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Whoa.

That's about all I can say after Shrewsbury used a 4-1 fourth quarter run to upset St. John's 7-6 Tuesday.

The game had hard hits, an eventual game-winning goal that came off a rebound, and a big save from an All-American goalie playing with his team a man down. As a reminder, this blog is not a complete recap of the game. If you want that, head on over to BostonLaxNet or ESPN Boston for my two stories.

If you would just like to see highlights, you can find those here.

Post Game Blog: Shrewsbury Outmuscles Minnechaug

Shrewsbury pole Griffin Couture lays into Minnechaug middie Sam Christman

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Here is yet another reminder that this blog is only my wandering thoughts on the game and not a complete recap. If you would like the entire game story, it will be up on BostonLaxNet very soon.

If you would just like highlights from the game, you can find those here.

Post Game Blog: St. John's Too Much for Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury defenseman Griffin Couture (white) and St. John's attackman Drew Smiley (red) fought a physical battle all game.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

If there were any doubts about who the top lacrosse team in Central Mass was, defending district champion St. John's dismissed them emphatically with a 9-0 win over cross-town rival Shrewsbury.

Here is your weekly reminder that this is only a blog of my wandering thoughts, not a complete recap of the game. If you would like a full recap, head on over to BostonLaxNet or ESPN Boston for complete stories.

This Game Could Have Been Close… No, Really

Look, I don't want to make excuses for Shrewsbury, but they weren't as bad as the final score indicated. Through the first quarter, St. John's only won the shot battle 7-6, but still held a 3-0 lead.

CMass Lax Power Rankings: 4/14/14

Grafton came up just short against St. John's in last season's Central Mass title game. The Indians will get a shot at revenge this week.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

As you may or may not know, I am currently on my honeymoon in Amsterdam.

This means a few things. Firstly, that I am not covering any lacrosse games this week, and secondly that all of my opinions for these Power Rankings come from scoreboard watching. But, most importantly, it means these rankings will be brief so I can get back to enjoying myself.

Sorry guys, but I'm taking it easy this week. Anyways, here are our weekly Power Rankings and Game(s) of the Week.

2014 CMass Lax Preview: Shrewsbury Colonials

Star goalie Chris Gorman (far left) is just one reason why the Colonials are known for defense.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The faces and names may change, but one thing doesn't for Shrewsbury lacrosse: The Colonials are going to play great defense.

So, even with captain and star defenseman Zach Thebeau gone to graduation, Shrewsbury coach Nate Skermont doesn't expect his team to relinquish its spot atop the Central Mass defensive standings.

"The guys we have know our (defensive) system," Skermont said. "It's worked for us for years, and the guys really take pride in it. They have an attitude about it. They want to be known as a great defensive team."