Swampscott boys lacrosse ready to make the next step

After posting a 16-5 record in 2014 and making it to the Division 2 North semifinals before losing to Hamilton-Wenham, the Swampscott boys? lacrosse team is looking to be even better in 2015. The Big Blue lost only seven starters from last year?s team, and a group of 11 seniors is ready to lead the way this spring.
?We have a very strong senior class this year, 11 guys,” coach Todd Pierce said. “All three of my captains are seniors and we are going to have a ton of leaders.”
The three captains are Jason Digman and Devin Conroy, both midfielders, and defender Tucker Millett. He “might be the best player in the league,” Pierce said of Digman, who won over 90 percent of his faceoffs in 2014.
Conroy is another first-line midfielder, and after a great junior year, expectations are high.
?I expect him to have an even bigger impact than he had last year, he?s going to be great,” Pierce said.
Millett may be the team?s best defender. “He?s a presence back there,” said Pierce. “He?s going to have to have a big year for us.”
The biggest question for the Big Blue will be the goaltending situation. Swampscott graduated both goalies from last year?s team and there are some new guys fighting for the job.
?I?m excited to see them compete and see what we have with them,” Pierce said.
As with most teams this spring, Swampscott is stuck inside because of all the snow.
?It really hampers us as a team that we don?t have a turf field,” Pierce said. “I think every team on our schedule has a turf field that they can practice on. It?s not fair to the guys.”
Swampscott will travel to Medford this weekend to get some time on its turf field.
?After that, we probably won?t be outside again until our first game in Marblehead (on April 2),” said Pierce.
?Don?t get me wrong, we have a great fieldhouse,” he continued. “But it?s going to affect our transition game because the spacing isn?t right inside, among other things.”Mike Alongi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @m_alongi.