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# Started at bottom, Dahl hoping to help keep Bishop Guertin boys lacrosse on top
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/started-at-bottom-dahl-hoping-to-help-keep-bishop-guertin-boys-lacrosse-on-top/
- Published: 2022-04-06T01:10:23.000Z
- Updated: 2022-04-06T01:10:23.000Z
- Description: Nick Dahl had a nickname among the coaches during his first year playing for the Bishop Guertin High School boys lacrosse team. As a freshman, Dahl was the last player kept for the varsity roster and typically took the field when the Cardinals were trying to finish out games.
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Bishop Guertin, boys lacrosse, Cardinals, NH High School Sports Insider, Nick Dahl, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

Nick Dahl had a nickname among the coaches during his first year playing for the Bishop Guertin High School boys lacrosse team.

As a freshman, Dahl was the last player kept for the varsity roster and typically took the field when the Cardinals were trying to finish out games.

"Freshman year, he was the last guy we took on varsity," Bishop Guertin coach Chris Cameron said. "We called him the closer because he would go in at the end of games.

"We saw potential with him being a coachable kid. You give him that talk. Do you want to be the guy on varsity who doesn’t play? Or do you want to be on JV and play the whole game? We’re always up front and let them know where they stand, and he embraced that role and worked to get better."

Dahl opted to play on varsity, getting playing time whenever he could. But looking back, after having his sophomore year cancelled due to COVID-19, that experience was just what he needed.

"Coming in freshman year, not to sound (negative), but I really wasn’t that good," Dahl said. "(Cameron) took me on as the last guy on defense. No stick skills, no footwork at all, and being exposed to all that, without it, and then sophomore year with nothing, I wouldn’t have had even as close to as big of a role last year."

In 2021, Dahl was a starter next to three of the top defenders in the state in Alex Ahearn, Jon Sullivan and Matt Cranney. They helped Bishop Guertin reach the Division I title game for the 16th straight year and win its first championship since 2017, completing the program's first undefeated season.

But with those three graduated, Dahl is now the veteran on a talented but somewhat inexperienced defense.

"Those guys, they left their mark on us," he said. "Obviously, we had talent throughout every position, but I feel like they taught us so much that they left (the captains) in a place where we can lead this team. The underclassmen have been with us, they know the culture we have, and there’s such a precedent that stays no matter who is in the lead."

Dahl is one of four captains for the Cardinals this spring, and being in that leadership role is not only something he enjoys, but also already has experience doing.

"I love being a vocal leader, whether it’s on the field or in the huddle," he said. "For basketball, I was a captain, too, and obviously, I wasn’t play too much. I felt like a vocal leader for them. Being the one to get the guys fired up and ready to play, I love it."

Cameron is expecting a lot from Dahl, both on the field and off, but having seen the way the senior carries himself in two sports - Cameron has also been an assistant basketball coach for the Cardinals the last three seasons - he knows what he'll be getting.

"He worked his way up," the coach said. "We’re going to expect a lot of him. He is going to draw the No. 1 (player). He’s either going to have to bump up and play the other team’s top middie or the other team’s top attackman."

Dahl will be joined on defense by juniors Colin Roark and Dylan Yeung and sophomore Alex Dumont. All three got playing time a year ago, but their roles will expand this season, and Dahl and junior goalie Zach Connerty, who is also a captain, will have to lead the way early.

"We have some talent down there," Cameron said. "Nick is certainly the leader of the defense. We’re not deep down there."

Defense has always been where Dahl felt most comfortable playing, whether it was lacrosse or basketball, but while he spends most of his time on the field in front of his team's goal, Dahl does like the opportunity to jump in offense every once in a while.

"In every sport I’ve played, I’ve always been more of a defensive-minded player," he said. "In this, where I can play defense, and not only stop, but when we get into transition and I can push the ball and run, the open field aspect, that’s what I love. I love being able to play defense, but also being able to push it on offense, too."

Dahl started playing lacrosse around the time he was in first grade, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Andrew, and some of his friends. The relationships made between teammates and opponents helped keep Dahl involved, starting with Nashua Blast and eventually with the New Hampshire Tomahawks.

After considering a handful of options to continue playing collegiately, Dahl settled on playing at Trinity College next year.

"It came along later in the process," he said. "I had interest and offers from all levels and I had to figure out what was right for me. When Trinity came along, and I knew there was a chance I could go to such a good academic school that’s also very competitive in a good conference, the NESCAC, it was perfect."

As Dahl gets ready to get his senior season for the Cardinals underway, Cameron believes there's a couple of ways the senior could leave his mark on the state.

"His goal should be to be an All-American," Cameron said. "We really preach that team success leads to individual success. We don’t want to put individual success ahead of team success, but that’s what leads to it. The goal is to win a state championship, but we’re not going to be able to without him being a shutdown defender."