Boys’ Lacrosse Keeps the Browning Trophy
Following a tough loss to Loomis on Apr. 25, boys’ lacrosse has bounced back. Big Red snuck past a powerful Brewster team 12-11 last Wednesday before shifting its focus to Tabor. After a rocky start to the season, the Brewster Bobcats went on a little mid-season win streak before dropping a tough game to Phillips Andover prior to the Exeter competition on Saturday.
Exeter rolled into the match with some momentum, but the two hour ride to Marion, Mass. tested the teams’ determination to succeed. Both Tabor and Exeter are home to historically strong lacrosse programs, so both teams expected a tough match.
While E/a remains the most heated rivalry in prep school lacrosse, the competitiveness with Tabor isn’t far behind. Each season, when Exeter and Tabor square off, more than just a W is on the line. The teams battle to keep or steal the Browning trophy.
“He’s always early to practice helping kids shoot and staying after practice helping our face off guys or D-poles. He’ll watch film with anyone at any time of day.”
Originally an intra-family rivalry, the Brownings sent many players to both Exeter and to Tabor. To honor the longstanding rivalry between the two top teams, the Browning Trophy was introduced and awarded to the winning team each year. In recent history, Exeter has protected the trophy and entered Saturday’s game having not lost to Tabor since the late 1990s.
The game also featured a notable coaching matchup. Exeter’s head coach Bill Glennon prepared to take on Tabor’s knowledgeable coaching staff, including his son, Travis Glennon.
Upper Malcolm Ogden called attention to some of Bill Glennon’s coaching characteristics. “I’d say he’s very high intensity; everything he does has a purpose,” Ogden said. Clearly rubbing off on his players, the team, has upped its intensity in practice and in games.
Upper Nick McCall explained that Glennon “helps us get in a positive mindset,” as well as “motivates us after long bus rides, which is part of the reason why we are undefeated on the road.”
As for his son, Travis, Tabor attackman Billy Philpott said that “he’s always early to practice helping kids shoot and staying after practice helping our face off guys or D-poles. He’ll watch film with anyone at any time of day,” Philpott said.
It was another outstanding game, one that included flashy moves and smart defense. Experience proved to be a key factor as Exeter firmly defeated Tabor by a score of 11 to 6, furthering its Browning trophy dominance.
Highlight performances included attackman McCall, who recorded his second straight hat-trick and also dished out two assists. In addition, players spotlighted goaltender senior Thomas Stockham’s constant communication and “cat-like reflexes” as a main contributor to the team’s success.
After acknowledging the need to improve upon ground balls the week before, the team drilled all week, and it seemed to pay off. Furthermore, some players suited up for the first time coming off injuries.
“We were efficient in transition,” McCall said, “and Ethan Romero stepped up hugely.”
Both Exeter and Tabor played with poise and purpose for all forty-eight minutes of regulation, but Exeter ultimately stole the win.
Looking ahead, Exeter has some tough competition in NMH and Deerfield, two pivotal games that could heavily influence their mindset heading into a monumental game against Andover on Apr. 23.