The 2019 state championship plaques of the Dover-Sherborn Regional varsity boys lacrosse and varsity field hockey team were added to the press box at Nora Searle Field on Thursday. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
With much of the 2020 MIAA athletic season lost, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School has been forced to adjust to new methods of honoring their star athletes and championship-winning teams.
Last Thursday, members of the DS varsity boys lacrosse and varsity girls field hockey teams met at Nora Searle Field for the revealing of their 2019 state championship plaques on the stadium's press box.
So far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a drastic effect on field hockey due to the sport being played in the fall. However, many of the girls on the DS field hockey team also play lacrosse in the spring. Following the cancellation of the MIAA spring season, the high school athletic careers for these senior athletes abruptly ended.
The narrative is much different for the DS boys lacrosse team. After winning their way to the Division III state championship last spring, the Raiders were set up to make a run at repeating in 2020. DS returned a strong senior class which included Colby-bound midfielder/attack-man Erik Niit, goalie Matt Gallitano and Skidmore-bound midfielder John Sveen. Unfortunately, the 2020 senior class never got the chance to suit up for one final year after the season was cancelled.
Asked whether or not there is some type of silver-lining for he and his fellow senior teammates, Erik Niit says it feels strange going out on top in this manner.
"Obviously, not having a season this year is very tough, but it is satisfactory knowing we went out on top," said Niit. "Every coach always says play like it could be your last time playing, and it feels good to have fulfilled that statement playing for DS."
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as game highlights, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
