Podcast: The guys break down the MIAA D-1 and D-2 seasons

Junior defender Kevin Abair is a key player for MIAA Division 1 title hopeful Lincoln-Sudbury. (Dave Arnold photo)

On this episode of New England Lacrosse Journal’s “Chasing The Goal” podcast, hosts Kyle Devitte and Owen Hart preview the MIAA season for teams in Division 1 and Division 2.

The MIAA is the largest public school league in all of New England, with more than 200 teams. As the league has expanded, new divisions have been developed, and different programs have risen to prominence.

In this pod, the hosts discuss coaching strategies and player development stories, and share personal anecdotes. They predict top contenders while detailing key players and team dynamics.

Watch the full podcast below on YouTube. It’s also available on all major podcast platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review. Watch more episodes on the Chasing the Goal podcast channel.

Here are some excerpts from the pod.

Kyle Devitte: (St. John’s Prep coach John) Pynchon, friend of the show. He also has a pod with us if you wanna go back and listen to that. The next logical step is BC High, right? Yep. You’ve written a couple articles about these guys. What are your thoughts on BC High as a potential challenger?

Owen Hart: So the thing that’s good about BC High is that they’re kind of on the middle ground, where they’re still being chased by the public programs, but they still have SJP to take down. That’s the white whale for them; they gotta chase ’em. They’re the bogeyman. But they kind of exist in a weird area where they have to still fight off the people that are coming to get (them). But they are also motivated towards the goal of getting SJP; they’re kind of double motivated that way. And not all teams can say that. 

KD: My Lincoln-Sudbury guy for size and athleticism is (junior) Kevin Abair. I saw him as a freshman at NELS. And I was like, “Yo, who’s this senior? Because he’s jacked. This guy must be going somewhere.” And some people around me said, “Oh, he’s a freshman.” Floored me. Now he’s going to Navy. So it’s not a surprise. Where do you put L-S in the greater scheme? Are they a legit contender (in Division ? 

OH: I have them right now as the best public school in D-1. Last year they lost Needham in the playoffs, and it was kind of a shock because they were one of the best teams in the state. Needham came in there with their wrecking crew of poles that they have and said, “OK, we’re gonna take this and go beat you guys.” And then they went on to give St. John’s Prep us a decent run at the state finals after knocking out (Acton-Boxborough). But Lincoln-Sudbury was really young last year and still was a two seed. They have guys back and they are a very selfless team. They make the extra pass and they play smart. We talk about these guys, but it’s not a run-it-and-rip-it team. They run a meticulous offense.

@TheKyleDevitte
kyle.devitte@laxjournal.com

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