Strength in Numbers: Boys Lacrosse Prepares to Take on the FCIAC

by Alex Hager

Strolling through the crowded hallways of Darien High School in the frantic four minutes between classes, it’s no secret that lacrosse is a big deal. Practically every other student walking by seems to be adorned with that crisp letter “D”, framed by the two crossed sticks in the background. Living in a town once dubbed “LaxTown USA” by Lacrosse Magazine, it has been made abundantly clear that Darien’s enthusiasm for the sport is unparalleled. From the elementary schools’ “Blue Wave Buddies” stepping on the field for the very first time, to the perennially dominant DHS teams that bring home championship after championship, lacrosse is huge. But just how huge? The sheer numbers themselves shed some light on the size of the Darien High lacrosse program.

According to the team’s website, the Boys Lacrosse team has a 46-man varsity roster. The team is built of members from all four grades, but it’s also worth mentioning the 43-man freshman squad and a JV roster that boasts a grand total of 60 players. Numbers like these may seem normal at face value, but when put into context, it’s clear how truly preposterous they are. Consider the fact that, in a lacrosse game, each team plays just 10 men at any time, including a goaltender. This means that even the smallest of the three teams can only have less than a quarter of the team on the field during the game. To put this into perspective, consider a team like DHS basketball, an 11-man squad that has five players on the floor during the game. Due to their obvious differences, it’s difficult to compare the two teams, but the difference does provide some context as to how distribution of playing time can become an issue. In fact, to help quell the struggle to allot equal playing time, the freshman team has gone so far as to split into an “A” Team and a “B” Team so as to even out the opportunities for each player.

To get an idea for a coach’s perspective on dealing with the size of the teams, I talked to head coach of the Boys Freshman Lacrosse team, Keith McGivney. His comments shed some light on the thinking behind splitting up his freshman squad. McGivney said, “To have an A team and B team isn't so much about separating students, it’s about giving students the opportunity to play”. He then added that “all will hopefully have the opportunity to play.  While the other students stay back to practice and improve on their skills”.

All three levels of Boys Lacrosse this year are teeming with talented athletes ready to take the FCIAC by storm. Coach McGivney says that he is expecting big things this year, which reflects the expectations of the school and the town. If all goes according to plan, the team can “win FCIACs, states, and end the year in a pile”. 

Coach Brameier leads the Wave during the 2013 FCIAC semifinal.