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First-year St. Mary’s lacrosse coach Josh Field takes over the Spartans program in 2016 after several years of coaching in Swampscott.
By MIKE ALONGI
Coming off a 7-13 season in 2015, the St. Mary’s boys’ lacrosse team enters the 2016 season with a new coach and a new approach.
Josh Field, who played college lacrosse at Boston University and coached at Swampscott High for eight years from 2006-2013, will be taking over the program. Field spent the past few years coaching his sons in the Swampscott Nahant Youth Lacrosse League, before deciding to return to the high school ranks.
Field takes over a Spartans team that lost eight seniors to graduation, including top scorers James Torosian, Nick Amenta and Rich Cadigan.
But the cupboard is not completely bare. This year’s team captains, senior defenseman Kyle Smith and junior goaltender Brendan Donahue, lead a strong defensive unit which figures be the strength of this team.
“We have a lot of experience on the back end and we have a good goaltender,” Field said. “I think we’re going to be solid back there and the scoring can hopefully come from there.”
There is still plenty of growth to come, however.
“We definitely have a lot to work on, it’s so early,” Field said. “We’re putting in new sets on offense and on defense, so that’ll take some time to get adjusted. But the effort has been great so far, and all the guys are taking nicely to the new system.”
The Spartans have already gotten out onto the field down at Manning a few times this year, which is more than a few other local teams can say. On days when they can’t get outside, the Spartans have been getting their work in at an indoor facility in Revere.
In addition, St. Mary’s has played two scrimmage games to prepare for regular-season action. The Spartans scrimmaged Saugus last weekend before playing Lynnfield the following Monday.
“It was good to get out on the field and see the guys in action,” Field said.
Field hopes to get another practice or two in before Monday’s season opener on the road at Arlington Catholic.
As far as what he wants to get out of his first season with the blue and gold, Field has one fundamental goal: “Our goal is to teach the game to these guys,” he said. “We want them to learn, have fun, and respect the game of lacrosse. And then the winning will come from that.”
Mike Alongi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @m_alongi.
