Bishop Guertin’s boys lacrosse program is on the ball again this spring, even with two losses on the record.

No surprise, right?

Since taking over coaching duties in 2004, Chris Cameron has compiled a winning percentage of .800 and six Division I titles (2005, ’08, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13). That’s not even counting the times his teams reached the finals and lost, there were three of those (’06, ’07, ’09).

Yeah, add it up. Bishop Guertin has been to the Division I final every spring since 2004.

What makes this Cardinals program so darn consistent in NHIAA action year-in, year-out? Simple answer: they don’t play a full in-state schedule.

BG schedules the minimum required in-division games – at least one game against each Division I opponent (two versus Exeter) – then fills the remaining open slots with top-tier programs from out of state.

The latest interstate matchup came Wednesday night, as BG (14-2) – New England’s eighth ranked team out of the Top 500, according to LaxPower – lost 8-6 to No. 11 Duxbury (Mass.).

It’s only the second loss of the Cardinals’ season, the first a 14-13 loss to No. 21 LaSalle Academy (R.I.) on May 10.

They’ve also pulled out some big New England wins – 18-6 over No. 281 Bishop Hendricken (R.I.) on April 14; 10-9 over No. 16 Needham (Mass.) on April 22; 9-8 over No. 27 Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.) on May 3 – and a 16-3 East Region win over St. Joseph (Metuchen, N.J.) – No. 153 out of 870 – on April 26.

This is the difference-maker. The Cardinals don’t shy away from facing the best competition possible – even if it takes drives to Rhode Island or Massachusetts to get it done.

Nothing’s different in New Hampshire lacrosse this spring, the BG is still tops.

If only Division II power Bedford, ranked 32nd in New England, was on BG’s schedule. That would be the only serious threat to the Bulldogs’ 55-game win streak.

In the end, don’t be surprised when BG reaches its 10th straight final at Bedford High School on June 11.

Even more, don’t be shocked when the Cardinals are hoisting their fifth straight championship.

George Scione can be reached at 594-6520 or gscione@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Scione on Twitter (@Telegraph_BigG).

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