LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High soccer and lacrosse standout Kelan Cardinal has made it official. He is heading to Endicott College this fall, where he plans to play lacrosse for the Conference of New England champion Gulls and major in exercise science.
Cardinal considered attending larger schools, including High Point University, but his opportunities to compete at such schools likely were limited to club level. He said Endicott, a 12-time conference champion which advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division 3 championship, was too good to pass up.
“Being close to home was a big part of the decision, but a major fact was definitely being able to hopefully walk on and play at Endicott, which I couldn’t do at schools like High Point,” he said. “I know so many people who love the school and have heard so many good things about the school. I am super pumped to be able to focus on one sport. I spoke with the coaches and they really know what they are doing and I am so excited about having a chance to play with kids who are better than I am.”
Cardinal is a three-time Cape Ann League All-Star in boys lacrosse, having made the second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior and senior. He was the Cape Ann League Baker Division Player of the Year as a junior and team MVP as a junior and senior. A two-time Daily Item All-Star, he was Lynnfield High’s Student Athlete of the Month in March.
A two-time captain, Cardinal tallied 45 goals and 87 assists in 2025. He also had 73 ground balls and 32 takeaways. He finished his career as the all-time leader in assists (181) and points (320), and was second all-time in goals (139). In 81 games, he also tallied 198 ground balls and 67 takeaways.
Pioneers Coach Pat Lamusta said Cardinal played almost every position and described him as “the unofficial GM” of the team.
“Kelan did a great job playing this game – scoring, defending, dodging – but what truly stood out for me was his ability to lead and represent the school in everything he did,” Lamusta said. “He led by example, was vocal at the right times, and just seemed to always have a beat on the pulse of our team . . . at the same time, stepping up to do whatever we asked of him.”
Cardinal also excelled in soccer as a captain and three-year starter in goal, helping lead the Pioneers to back-to-back appearances in the Division 4 championship final and a first state title in program history in 2023. A CAL All-League and Eastern Mass. All-Star, he finished his career with 39 shutouts.
Coach Brent Munroe said he was an integral part of the Pioneers’s success over those years.
“He had a great three years and it coincided with our team doing very well. He set some pretty high standards – some pretty crazy standards,” Munroe said. “He was a big part of our success without a doubt. He’s competitive, but has a good perspective. He’s never been one to toot his own horn, but is happy to be recognized.”
Cardinal said one of the best decisions he made was to go out for the basketball team this past winter.
“That was so much fun. I didn’t want to look back and regret not playing,” he said. “It was such a great team and a great experience.”
His favorite Lynnfield High memory? Winning the 2023 Division 4 state soccer championship.
“Winning that was definitely the highlight,” Cardinal said. “It was incredible hearing the whistles at the end of the game and, honestly, as a goalie, you are tensed up the entire game, so it was a huge lift off my shoulders when I heard those whistles. I wanted it so badly because everyone on this team was doing their best and I just wanted it for the rest of the team because as a goalie, I have always been so grateful for the last line of the defense because they have backed me up all four seasons.”
Cardinal’s final appearance representing Lynnfield High came last Sunday in the Harry Agganis All-Star boys lacrosse game. Late in the action, he scored the go-ahead goal for the North to make it 7-6. The North went on to win, 8-7. Cardinal was named the MVP of the North team.
“That was super fun, playing with kids I have played against for so many years and kids I never met,” he said.
Cardinal reports for preseason Aug. 23 in Beverly. With 18 Gulls having graduated from the 2025 Endicott team, he is taking an anything-is-possible approach.
“I honestly don’t know what it’s going to look like or what position I will play,” he said. “I’m not locked into anything, but I am looking forward to whatever comes.”
