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Finals Bound, Part 1: Cards take care of business vs. ‘Hawks

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Jun 8, 2023

Bishop Guertin's Ryan Kelley, left, Noah Zeman (29) and Aiden Laurendeau (22) have a low key celebration of a goal during the Cards' 18-1 Division I semifinal win over Merrimack in Exeter Wednesday night. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

EXETER – There wasn’t much huge celebrating immediately after, although a loud cheer could be heard from the Bishop Guertin High School boys lacrosse huddle about five minutes after Wednesday’s 18-1 Division I semifinal win over Merrimack at Bill Ball Stadium.

The 17-3 Cardinals just felt they were taking care of business, but the fact of the matter is they achieved a remarkable feat, reaching their 18th consecutive Division I state championship game. That will be here Sunday at 2:30 p.m. vs. old rival Pinkerton Academy. The Astros edged No. 2 Exeter, 13-12, in the earlier semi.

“We were sharp today,” Guertin coach Chris Cameron said. “We were a big favorite coming in, but I felt that we were focused, and we did everything right.”

Did they ever. Guertin scored almost immediately, led 6-0 after one, 12-0 at the half and the second half was played in running time. Merrimack’s Kyle Dunn prevented a shutout with a goal late in the game.

Brady Dumont and Connor Guibord each had three goals, while Mike Matuszewski and Connor Bouvier each had a pair. Aiden Laurendeau, Tim Kiely, Caleb Yeung, Connor Hughes, Bobby Canaway, Owen King, Carter Jozokos, and Noah Zeman all had single tallies. Just not a fair fight.

“It was a pretty complete game,” Cameron said. “When you have this many seniors, and they’ve been playing for so long, they play with poise and they know how to play the game, right?”

That’s for sure.

“I feel like we played well in transition, pushing the ball,” Guibord said. “And having pressure on the ball 24-7. And we really limited turnovers today. I feel like that really helped us.”

Meanwhile, it became somewhat of a a mixed week for the No. 5 Tomahawks, who had the huge high of their overtime upset of Bedford on Saturday coupled with last night’s disappointment.

“I thought we’d be more competitive, to be honest,” Merrimack coach Brian Miller said, his team finishing at 11-6 with a first ever semis appearance. “But (the Cards) moved the ball well, hats off to them.”

Still, Merrimack can look back at a benchmark season, highlighted by that 9-8 win over Bedford, which had beaten the ‘Hawks 15-5 during the regular season. They graduate nine, led by keys Dunn, Reimello Hyde and Jackson Forbes.

“I think the other day had all the components of the greatest story ever told,” Miller said. “It was a great experience for our guys, and I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.

“We’ve got a great group of guys, talented group of seniors, both lacrosse-wise and athletically. They did a great job, I’m really proud of them.”

And now Guertin moves on to face the Astros for the 11th time in the finals. Guertin’s won six, Pinkerton’s won four, including the last two times they met (2018-19). But unlike a lot of those previous meetings, the Cards, who beat Pinkerton 16-6 during the season, go in as a heavy favorite.

All you had to do was watch them last night to see why.

“It’s a rivalry game,” Guibord said. “Get back to practice, and just work hard all week.”

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