Hawks gearing up for playoff run

The Bishop Hendricken lacrosse team is in the thick of the Division I playoff hunt and sits at 5-3 in league play, good for third place overall.

The Hawks’ most recent game was against Portsmouth, who handed them a 7-6 loss in double overtime. Ben Selle led Hendricken with three goals while KJ Lough added two in the defeat.

However, the Hawks have progressed since last season and have seen improvements on both offense and defense. Hendricken is just three goals shy of matching last year’s total with five games in hand and has allowed nearly half the number of goals against.

“We’ve greatly progressed from last year on both sides of the ball. The boys are progressing and their IQ has improved, we’re able to run more offensive schemes, defensive schemes,” said coach Matt Clifford.

Leading the way for Hendricken to this point has been Nick Senecal, who has emerged as an elite option with faceoffs, as well as Selle on offense and John Treat, Max Casten and Zach Iamarone.

Two of the team’s three league losses, and three of its four overall, came by just one score. Hendricken is still searching for ways to win the close ones, but Clifford is confident that they will have the answers come playoff time.

“It’s never fun to lose but all of (them) were great learning opportunities for the guys and things we can build on moving toward the playoffs. In the playoffs, everything is close,” Clifford said.

The Hawks will have some pivotal matchups in the final two weeks, including rematches against first place La Salle and second place Moses Brown.

Hendricken is excited to get a chance at redemption against the DI powers and is looking to make a statement.

“This group is building on the composure we had last year and the competitiveness is through the roof. They believe they will win, they can win, and with those losses, they know what they could have done to win,” said Clifford. “They’re excited to prove that they are one of the best teams in the state and that they can beat those squads.”

The Hawks will next take on East Greenwich on Friday before heading on the road to take on the Rams and Quakers.