WELLESLEY — Since it was founded 11 years ago, the Boston Lax All-American Game has presented premier athletes in Massachusetts a unique chance to face one another. It’s not too often that you see the best from both the ISL and the MIAA battling it out on one field.
In the second installment of the series between the two leagues, the MIAA earned some bragging rights. Acton-Boxboro senior and St. Lawrence commit Camden Matthews was named the MIAA’s Offensive Player of the Game (four goals, assist), as he and his teammates rallied from an early four-goal deficit to knock off the ISL at Babson College, 13-9.
“This feels really good,” said MIAA coach and longtime Reading game manager Charlie Hardy. “There’s so much talent on this field, on both sides of the field. It was hard to decide who was going to go out first.”
The game opened up with a tribute to former Boston Herald and Boston Lax contributor Bruce Lerch, as well as former coach and Boston Lax personality Ryan Kilian. The two leagues also took a moment of silence to honor the life and memory of Franklin’s Nick Gaspar.
Then, it was time to take the field. Hardy’s group at Reading won the Div. 2 boys lacrosse championship just last month. However, he saw his collection of assembled MIAA All-Stars get off to a sluggish start. Tabor Academy product Evan O’Neil sniped a pair of goals in the opening frame, as the ISL quickly jumped out to a 5-1 edge.
The MIAA then turned to Billerica star Scott Einarson in net, who provided a newfound spark almost immediately. After making a few big stops, Matthews and his teammates began to start firing away.
“I think we were ready,” Matthews said afterward. “I think it was fun. The environment is obviously great, and I think the boys were ready. They brought their shoulders, I think we outweighed them in the penalty game a lot, but we did in the net too. So, it paid dividends.”
In a complete juxtaposition from the first quarter, the MIAA out-scored the ISL 4-0 in the frame, with Matthews tying things at 5-all with 28.7 seconds to play in the half.
Once the third quarter got underway, the Catholic Conference took over. BC High’s Will Emsing (two) and Patrick Maroney netted three goals, while St. John’s Prep star Jimmy Ayers added a pair, and the MIAA was able to coast to the finish, leading 10-6 after three.
BC High’s Andrew Toland was selected as the MIAA’s Defensive MVP after making a few critical saves down the stretch to preserve the victory.
O’Neil was selected as the ISL Player of the Game (two goals).
With the series between the two leagues now even at one game apiece, Hardy is hopeful that the showcase, and the newfound rivalry itself can continue for years to come.
“I think this is great,” Hardy said. “I think this is good for lacrosse. You look at the nice crowd we got. I think the young kids come out to watch and see the quality of play, both on the public side, and the other side, on the dark side… kidding! But no, I think it’s great for lacrosse. These kids get to know each other. I said to the kids: ‘Look right, look left. You’re going to be playing one of these kids, or playing against them. Or, you’re going to be a teammate of theirs next year.’ That’s what happens.”