Strong start at both ends helps Bedford boys lacrosse get win against Exeter (video)

BEDFORD - Steve Gaudreau spent part of the preseason stressing to the Bedford High School boys lacrosse team the importance of bringing intensity to practice and carrying it into a game.

Against Exeter on Wednesday, the Bulldogs brought all the intensity they had.

Bedford got out to a five-goal lead in the first quarter, and led by as many as nine in the second half, on the way to a 16-8 victory over the Blue Hawks in an early-season Division I matchup.

Bennett Matthews had five goals and an assist and Brody Helton dished out five assists to go with two goals, while the Bulldogs (2-0, No. 2 in the MerchSquared.com/NHHSSports Coaches Poll) also got a solid defensive effort, led by goalie Ethan Conn (13 saves).

"It’s early in the year and it certainly wasn’t a mistake-free effort, but for us, it’s about trying to play hard and trying to bring a level of intensity," Gaudreau said. "We’re trying to instill in them that you’ve got to bring that level of intensity every day into practice and try to translate that into a game.

"We have a lot of guys with a high compete level and I thought we did that. We executed defensively and certainly put some goals on the board to give ourselves a cushion. For the second game of the year, a high-level game, two solid teams, any time you can beat Exeter is a good day."

Luke Purnell added four goals and an assist and Bryce D'Urso had three goals and an assist while Evan Copella also scored twice.

Exeter (1-1, No. 3) got three goals from Alex Carrigan and two goals from Marshall Lasewicz while Tyler Bland had a goal and an assist. Patrick Hathaway and Jackson Greene also had a goal apiece.

James Bernich finished with seven saves, after he came on in relief of Ronan Wilbur (one save) midway through the second quarter.

"They’re a very good team," Exeter coach Matt Brewster said. "You play at a high level and make a small mistake, they score a goal, that’s how it rolls. We’ve got a lot of new kids and they’re in roles that are maybe a little different, a little new. Some younger guys are stepping up, but it’s early in the season."

Will McIlroy was 16 of 28 on faceoffs, at times helping the Blue Hawks slow down the Bulldogs' offense by getting Exeter possessions. The Blue Hawks just couldn't capitalize on those opportunities.

"He’s a one-of-a-kind kid," Brewster said of McIlroy, who will attend the U.S. Military Academy next year. "To back that up, only one-of-a-kind kids get into West Point. He’s on a different level maturity-wise and with academics. He’s an anchor for this group. When things get kind of rocky, he’s a good captain."

McIlroy opened the game with a faceoff win, but Exeter turned the ball over after getting possession, setting up a transition goal by D'Urso just 26 seconds into the game.

Bedford made it 2-0 when Helton rang a shot off the post and the rebound was scooped up by D'Urso.  The sophomore then found Matthews in close for a goal, which was preceded by a save by Conn on Exeter's previous possession.

The junior finished the first quarter with five saves, keeping the Blue Hawks off the board until a transition goal by Carrigan in the final minute of the quarter. Bedford led 5-1 at the end of one.

"All you have to do is go on YouTube, our guys are well documented out there," Gaudreau said. "Exeter did a good job trying to do some different things and forced us to adjust and think about things, try to slow down. When our offense can get us a little bit of a lead there, it takes some pressure off our defense. I was happy with the way we competed."