Exeter boys lacrosse takes another step with win over Portsmouth (video)

PORTSMOUTH - Matt Brewster knew going into the season that the Exeter High School boys lacrosse team would be a work in progress.

When the Blue Hawks dropped early season contests to in-state rivals Bedford and Bishop Guertin, and an out-of-state affair Billerica (Mass.), the head coach didn't panic.

And while the third week of the season comes to an end, Exeter may not be where Brewster believes the team can get to, it's getting closer, as evidenced by Friday night's 11-5 win over Portsmouth at Tom Daubney Field.

The Blue Hawks jumped out to a 4-1 lead by the end of the first quarter, coasted a bit in the second, and put the game away in the third quarter. Exeter (5-3, No. 4 in the MerchSquared.com/NHHSSports Coaches Poll) went on a 3-0 run in the first six minutes of the second half to take a six-goal lead.

Marshall Lasewicz led the Blue Hawks with five goals and two assists, with three of those goals coming in the first quarter. Tyler Bland added two goals and two assists while Pat Hathaway had two goals and an assist and Alex Garrigan had a goal and two assists.

Jackson Greene also scored a goal and Ronan Wilbur finished with 11 saves.

"It was better," Brewster said of how his team played. "It’s always fun playing (Portsmouth). They’re a good team, they’re competitive, and it’s a good environment. It’s a perfect situation, perfect weather, and our boys came to play, and they came to play hard."

It started for Exeter on the faceoffs, where senior Will McIlroy won all six in the first quarter to help jump start the Blue Hawks offense. From there, Lasewicz did what he's been known to do.

"I think he just plays a classy game," Portsmouth coach Chad Vischer said. "It’s fun to watch him play and he plays it right. Just how fast he goes and how powerful he is. You always appreciate a kid that’s good, but when he’s a nice kid, too, you really appreciate it."

Undeniable was how Brewster described the way Lasewicz, who is going to play at the Air Force Academy next year, plays.

"He makes groundball plays against three guys and then feeds another kid to score," Brewster said. "He’s doing everything that he needs to do. He’s a great leader and the kids really appreciate what he does. He goes a hundred percent all the time."

For Portsmouth (5-3, No. 6), Ben Purcell had three goals and an assist in his first action of the regular season. Reilly Collins added two goals and an assist while Cortland Barr and Nash Conklin each had an assist.

Kai Paterson finished with 14 saves for the Clippers but Vischer acknowledged that the offense didn't put the defense in the best of positions.

"We can’t turnover the ball at the rate we do on offense and not expect our defense to give up goals is what it comes down to," he said. "We know that’s the case. I thought Kai Paterson played a really good game and some good saves. Those guys can shoot."

While Purcell, the team's top returning offensive player, on the field was a boost the Clippers needed offensively, the senior isn't quite at his peak.

"We were trying to test the waters with him, so I think he was trying to do a lot too much," Vischer said. "I’m happy he’s out there. It definitely changes our offense."