Pictured during his senior season at Needham in 2017, Sam Eisenstadt has become a defensive mainstay for UMass the last three years and was named to the Boston Herald’s All-Decade (2010-2020) lacrosse team last week. Photos by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Despite being deprived of their 2020 seasons due to COVID-19, the powerhouse programs that are Medfield and Needham High School boys lacrosse are still making positive headlines.
Last week, Needham and Medfield each had a pair of alumni named to the Boston Herald’s All-Decade boys lacrosse team.
From Needham: LSM Sam Eisenstadt (’17) and midfielder Michael Panepinto (’14). From Medfield: midfielder John MacLean (’16) and attack-man Matt Treiber (16).
Beginning with players who are still active in the college game, Treiber finished his stellar career at Medfield with 200 goals and 114 assists for 314 points, all while helping the Warriors to three consecutive Division II state championships (2014, 2015, 2016). Treiber was twice named to the Eastern Mass Lacrosse Coaches Association’s First-Team. Following his time at Medfield, Treiber has continued his dominance for Division III power Tufts. Treiber has racked up 79 goals and 49 assists throughout his four years and was named a 2019 Division III All-American. Treiber will return for a fifth year in 2021.
Next up is Sam Eisenstadt. One of the most dominant and versatile close defensemen/LSM’s the MIAA has ever seen, Eisenstadt secured 232 ground balls throughout his four years at Needham and also scored 23 goals. The 2017 Bay State Conference MVP and a two-time EMCLA All-American, Eisenstadt has started in 21 games throughout the last three years for UMass and was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s Second-Team as a sophomore in 2019.
Staying in Needham, Michael Panepinto was a force at midfield for Needham High School from 2011-2014. As a senior in 2014, Panepinto racked up a ridiculous 64 goals and 38 assists for 102 total points, earning himself Bay State Conference MVP. Panepinto was twice named an EMLCA All-American. After PG’ing at Phillips Andover Academy, Panepinto went on to Brown where he started all four seasons and captained the Bears his senior season in 2019. Panepinto totaled 67 goals and 19 assists throughout his four seasons at Brown. In 2019, Panepinto helped the Chesapeake Bayhawks to the MLL championship.
Finally, John MacLean served as a focal point of Medfield’s offense from 2013-2016, starting all four years and leading the Warriors to three consecutive Division II state championships, along with teammate Matt Treiber. MacLean finished his high school career with 225 goals and and 84 assists for 309 total points. MacLean was named an EMLCA First-Team All American three times and was the 2015 TVL MVP. MacLean went on to play two years of lacrosse at Boston University, where he totaled 16 goals and 11 assists.
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as game highlights, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
