With ample time to watch from the Pinkerton Academy lacrosse sideline over the first half of the season, “what might have been,” often permeated through Gavin Burwell’s thoughts.
“I had to think I had the stuff to play, but I just never got the opportunity to show it,” said the Astros’ junior goalie. “I thought I was just going to be the backup all year.”
A mid-year hand injury to sophomore starter Owen Perkins changed that thinking instantaneously.
What might have been … was … and Burwell was thrust into the lineup of the top-seeded boys lacrosse team in the state.
If Pinkerton faltered, all eyes would be on him.
Burwell and the Astros have yet to stumble. In fact, they have soared, all the way into Saturday night’s (7 p.m.) upcoming Division I title game at Exeter against four-time defending champion Bishop Guertin.
“We knew Gavin could play. However, we did not know he was going to be this good,” said Astros first-year head coach Marty Auger. “He had minimal experience with varsity as he was on JV last year.
“We all had confidence he could play at this level. We just didn’t know he would have this much success. It seems that his confidence has improved exponentially as the year has progressed.”
In Wednesday night’s Division I state semi vs. Exeter, Burwell was especially sharp in the first half, pitching a shutout as the Astros built a 6-0 lead at the break.
“A lot of that has to do with my defense,” said Burwell. “They were incredible and they have been great all year long.”
The Astros’ crew of protectors includes sophomores Nate Smith and Brady Blaszka, juniors Caleb Hobden and Brenden Carney, and senior Jackson Chase.
And Burwell, the anchor behind them, has kept things simple.
“He sees the ball well and clears with confidence,” said Auger.
A forward on the hockey team, Burwell was somehow drawn to the lacrosse goalie position in elementary school.
He says the pain of the position is well worth the satisfaction of it.
“It absolutely hurts to get hit, but the adrenaline, the rush of saving the ball makes up for it all,” he said.
Burwell, even as a junior, remains a bit of an unknown at Pinkerton. He moved from Nahant, Mass. (near Lynn), to Derry and is actually home-schooled, taking just one class at PA.
After graduation, he’s got his sights on making his mark in the trades, with plumbing a definite possibility.
But for now, it’s all about the game and a potential shot at a title. Guertin, while seeded lower, is the prohibitive favorite, having beaten the Astros in the regular season, 16-8.
“Bishop Guertin is definitely a very skilled team, but I think we’re the team to beat them and end their (championship) streak,” said Burwell. “We believe we can beat them.”