Massachusetts Talent Propels Merrimack to NCAA D2 Lax Title Game

After a decorated career at Longmeadow, which included an undefeated D2 state championship run, long pole Dan Cotnoir hopes to bring an NCAA D2 national championship to Merrimack. But the former Lancer is just one of many Massachusetts products hoping to lead the Warriors to victory in their home state.  Photo courtesy of Merrimack Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - Sports are cruel.

Last year, the Merrimack men’s lacrosse team advanced to its first NCAA Division II title game, and had the lucky draw of playing in the Commonwealth at Gillette Stadium.

The Warriors let a lead slip away late and lost to Limestone.

This year, though, the Warriors are back in the title game, and return to Foxboro better than ever with a team getting contributions up and down the lineup from Bay State natives. Merrimack's second consecutive title game in Massachusetts will take place Sunday at 4 pm against No. 6 St. Leo.

Thanks to the wealth of local talent, coach Mike Morgan believes his group is capable of leaving Gillette Stadium victorious this season.

Come Out for the "Be Legendary" Lacrosse Family Fun Day

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week brings a great event for those looking to honor the memory of late Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace, and help a worthy cause.

Thursday from 4 to 6 pm at the Brookings School in Springfield will be the first ever "Be Legendary" Lacrosse Family Fun day, with all profits going to support local programs and activities for underprivileged kids in the Springfield area, including potentially helping a few local lacrosse programs get off the ground. The event was organized by coach Pedace's niece Cecelia, her friend Julia and, of course, his sister Gianna.

For those wondering why the event won't be near Tantasqua, well, John was kind of a big deal throughout the state.

Westfield Lacrosse Holds Off St. John's (Shrewsbury) to Reach D2 C/W Final

By Nick Beaudoin (@beaudoin91_)

SHREWSBURY - Today’s D2 Central/West semifinal matchup up was a thriller between the Pioneers of St. John’s (Shrewsbury) and the Bombers of Westfield. In the end, it was the Bombers who prevailed, 8-7, after battling off a late rally from the Pioneers.

The storylines from this game were ground ball battles and timely calls from the officials, and Westfield seemed to benefit from both.

Longmeadow Wears Down St. John's (Shrewsbury) in Premier D2 Central/West Clash

Longmeadow's Clay Moseman fires a shot at St. John's goalie Matt Mongeau.

By Ryan Bowman (@_ryanbowman_)

SHREWSBURY - What started off as a very even game developed into a lobsided 8-3 victory for the Longmeadow Lancers over the St. John's Pioneers Wednesday at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury.

These teams are very familiar with each other, having faced off in the D2 Central/West semifinals in 2015 and the finals last year, with both games won by the Lancers. Longmeadow (15-3) again emerged victorious Wednesday, while St. John's (12-3) was left looking for an elusive victory in this meeting between the premier lacrosse programs in Western and Central Massachusetts.

PHOTO GALLERY: Longmeadow Lacrosse vs St. John's (Shrewsbury)

Photos by Ryan Bowman (@_ryanbowman_)

We will have a full story up soon, but here are some images from Western Mass power Longmeadow's big win against rival St. John's (Shrewsbury). The win gives the Lancers the inside track to the top seed in Division 2 Central/West.

Continue below for images from today's game, and note that you can click any image to enlarge it and launch a slideshow.

Massachusetts Lacrosse Recruiting Database

Tyngsboro senior middie and UMass-Lowell commit Kyle Laforge.

Compiled by Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi) and Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Lacrosse season is upon us, so SuiteSports has compiled a list of every college lacrosse commitment with ties to Massachusetts that we could find. As always, if we've made a mistake or left somebody off, Tweet editor Joe Parello here.

For our baseball recruiting database, click here.

Ed. Note- If a player has "Ivy League" listed as their commitment, they are in the process of being admitted to an Ivy League program, but have not made public which one (at least as far as we can find). The Ivy League recruiting process is a bit different, and you can read all about it here. Of course, if we have a player listed as "Ivy League" and you specifically know where they are going, Tweet at editor Joe Parello and he will update the listing.

Also note that for out of state prep schools featuring Massachusetts natives, we have listed the player's home town in parentheses after their commitment.

Full Highlights: Longmeadow's Championship Win

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

It's been over two months since Longmeadow took home the Massachusetts division 2 boys lacrosse championship.

The Lancers completed a perfect season in coach Ryan Liebel's first year at the helm, and defeated Eastern Mass power Medfield for the title at Worcester's Foley Stadium. If you want to see the highlights I put together for BostonLaxNet, along with an excellent game story from Bruce Lerch, you can find those here. But, for every goal, and some dope music if I do say so myself, you can check out the full highlights below.

Postgame Blog: Longmeadow Captures D2 State Championship

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

Here is your weekly reminder that this blog is only a few of my wandering thoughts from the game. If you would like a full recap, head to BostonLaxNet for a game story, highlights, and a sidebar on coach Ryan Liebel's perfect first season. That last story features video postgame interviews with Liebel, along with players Keegan Dudeck and Drew Kelleher.

Postgame Blog: Longmeadow Defeats St. John's in D2 Semifinal

The officials scolded Josh Freilich for this Superman pose, but I thought it was pretty awesome.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

Here is your weekly reminder that this blog is only my wandering thoughts on the game. If you would like a full recap head to BostonLaxNet or ESPN Boston. The LaxNet story also includes video.

Anyways, here we go.