Driscoll thriving in new lacrosse role for Camels
Peabody’s Sean Driscoll is a tri-captain of the Connecticut College lacrosse team, a squad that is off to a great start.
In a big NESCAC rivalry game last weekend, the Camels beat the nation’s fifth-ranked team in Division 3, Middlebury, 8-7, scoring the game-winning goal with under three minutes to play. When the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll was released this past Monday, the Camels were ranked No. 10 nationally.
Last Tuesday they pulled off their second straight one-goal victory, 12-11, over Keene State in the rain.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Driscoll has a new position this year at defensive midifielder. He has scooped up 24 ground balls in the team’s first seven games, all wins (including 3-0 in league play).
After being an offensive threat his entire career, Driscoll has made the switch to defensive responsibilities with ease. The success this year has been largely due to unselfish play, and Driscoll, a two-time captain who starred at Peabody High before transferring to Pomfret, is a perfect example.
“Sean has been a selfless leader for our team this year,” said head coach Dave Cornell, a two-time All-American at Gettysburg College. “He was our leading scorer his freshman year and missed sophomore season due to a leg injury. Following a tough year (as a junior), we asked him to take a look at the short stick D-mid position.”
Cornell recalled Driscoll never hesitating before telling him this was his senior year; he’d do whatever Cornell thought would help the team. Cornell said that willingness to switch positions says it all about Driscoll, who is a great competitor and always puts the team first.
Conn College has posted wins over Farmingdale State, Amherst, Clarkson, Plymouth State, and Trinity. The 10-8 win over Amherst was the first victory over the Lord Jeffs since 2001. Driscoll and freshman defenseman Brogan O’Connor of St. John’s Prep are the two local players on the squad.
The Camels know every team will be looking to end the unbeaten streak. They take on NESCAC rival Bowdoin in a key game on the road this afternoon.
Driscoll was also just named to the NESCAC’s winter All-Academic team. Students must be a varsity letterwinner and have a cumulative average of 3.35 or better. Driscoll was a two-year hockey captain for the Camels.
The second annual Charity Flag Football Game at Manning Field in Lynn last weekend was a huge success. The biggest winner was the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which received $3,392 from the family-friendly event.
Police and fire departments from Peabody, Lynn, Salem and Beverly competed in the exciting games. The money raised came from ticket sales at the gate and at each department participating, donations from local businesses, raffle tickets and from the North Shore Flag Football League.
Donations from local businesses paid for the T-shirts worn by the teams. Roland James, a former New England Patriot, handled the coin toss for the Peabody vs. Lynn Fire Department game, and stayed around to sign autographs for the kids.
The Boston Militia women’s pro football team was also on hand to raffle off team apparel and held a 50/50 raffle that raised over $200 for Make-A-Wish. Pop Warner ran a concession stand to raise money for the league.
The Make A Wish Foundation sent four volunteers to help out at the gate, and the flag football league donated the flags for the games.
“The weather was great, the games were great and everything ran smoothly,” said NSFFL founder Austin Bradshaw, who organized the event. “This event will only get bigger and better every year.
“I have already been contacted by the departments to discus what we can work on for next year. The two new teams, Salem and Beverly, told me they are in for next year’s event. We may move it to Peabody or Beverly and possibly have it before the football season opens in August, because the weather is so unpredictable this time of year.”
Local businesses that helped sponsor the departments included Murphy’s Restaurant and Bar, Engine House Pizza, Pickled Onion, Fibber McGee’s, Paddy Kelly’s, Champions Pub, Lynn Fire Union and the Police Athletic Club.
New Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, the former St. John’s Prep football player, has been busy lately.
He was the first speaker at the 14th annual Key Bank Gridiron Legends Luncheon Series at the College Hall of Fame in Irving, Texas. The series, which runs from March through June, is open to the general public, and Kelly spoke to a sold out crowd last month.
Kelly will also receive the 2010 Lee Tressel Ohio College Coach of the Year award later this month. He is being honored for his work as the highly successful head coach at the University of Cincinnati prior to being hired at Notre Dame.
After 41 years at the Ipswich High helm, Ken Spellman has stepped down as the Tigers’ head spring track coach and indoor coach Pat Rich has taken over.
The Tigers also have a new girls coach in Marty Binette. He replaces Micki McVann, who had coached the team for six years.
“Ken is the best assistant coach anybody could have,” said Rich. “Just because he’s no longer the head coach doesn’t mean he’s not around; he’s there every single day and is a tremendous help. I’m delighted he is so involved because he has so much knowledge to share.”
Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and columnist for The Salem News. Contact her at .