Pictured clearing a ball last season against Hingham, midfielder Matt Guagliano (27) is one of 10 Needham High School lacrosse seniors who robbed of their 2020 senior season due to COVID-19. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
In 2019, Needham High boys varsity lacrosse won the Bay State Herget Division with a 14-4 record. Then-Boston University committed attack-man Jason Child was named Bay State Conference MVP after leading the team in goals and total points.
Despite having hopes of making a run to a sectional and/or state championship, the Rockets were upset by reigning state champion and No. 12 BC High in the opening round (12-9), ending their 2019 campaign in heartbreak.
Determined to rebound from last season's tough finish, the Needham boys entered 2020 motivated. The Rockets returned a solid core of seniors, which included a pair of co-captains: shutdown Brewster Academy-bound close D man Hugh Curran, as well as Bentley-bound midfielder and captain Andrew Fitzgerald. Also back to lead the Rockets as seniors were Assumption-bound attack-man Kurt Brinkhaus, goalie Seth Kleiman, midfielder Matt Guagliano, close D Tim Hasenfus, midfielder Cole Nawrocki, close D Anthony Berejik, midfielder Josh Shaffer and goalie Christian Bliss.
Unfortunately, the Rockets were grounded, as was the entire MIAA spring athletic season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no 2020 season, these seniors will depart the high school level with their final organized lacrosse game being a first-round defeat their junior season.
These seniors were also robbed of their annual senior night. In response, head coach David Wainwright and his staff put together a little social media campaign to honor the class of 2020, posting a graphic and quote of each senior.
Throughout the last four years, this class accomplished a heck of a lot both on and off the field. It's a shame these boys will end their school tenures without the chance of competing on the lacrosse field in 2020. Great things lie ahead for all of them.
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as game highlights, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
