The Bellarmine lacrosse program improved upon a great 2017-2018 and had a very successful 2018-2019 season. The Bells varsity team finished the season with a 13-8 record. The team started off the season with 5 straight wins but were then tested with a slate of tough games against premier teams. However, the Bells battled through and came out a stronger and more mature team. Injuries plagued the team for much of the year, but due to the depth of the team, younger players were able to step up and take on larger roles. The season was highlighted by an undefeated trip to L.A. where the team bonded and prepared for playoffs. Although the season ended with a frustrating loss in the WCAL semifinals, the team goes into this upcoming offseason with a core of dedicated players who have renewed determination to put in the work necessary to be dominant in the 2019-2020 season.
Varsity lacrosse loses eleven seniors this year, but has a strong group of experienced returners ready to fill the role of the 2019 class. The offense comes back anchored by several hungry senior attackmen and midfielders who will look to avenge the WCAL semifinal loss and win the first ever WCAL title for Bellarmine. The defense, even with the graduation of two-time team MVP Louis Harvey, will look to build a formidable unit backed by the play of rising junior goalie Willie Riley. With a pool of talented JV players with great potential, there is a huge opportunity for immense growth and depth for the 2019-2020 season. The coaches and the team will look to develop the rising varsity players this offseason through rigorous conditioning and workouts, and look forward to what will no doubt be another successful varsity lacrosse season for the Bells.
Coaches
John Alpizar joined the Bellarmine community in February 2016 and is excited to be entering his fourth season as the head coach for the varsity lacrosse program. Alpizar played Division I lacrosse at the State University of New York at Albany, where he was a starting midfielder all four years. After graduating college, Alpizar began his coaching career in New Jersey at Summit High School, where he coached the boys’ varsity team alongside Hall of Fame coach, Jim Davidson. Alpizar helped lead that team to multiple state championships and had a 126-13 record. The Bellarmine coaching staff will look to improve in 2019-2020 through strengthening returning players and further developing the younger players of the program.