BYFIELD — Local parents of adolescent boys who are looking to capitalize on a Division 1 college scholarship might consider sending their child to The Governor's Academy to play lacrosse.
The Govs boys lacrosse team appears to be the nesting point for budding athletes looking to play for top 10 programs nationally. This year's team, which yesterday finished a perfect (17-0) season by capturing its first outright Independent School League title in its 72-year history, fields two of the most highly recruited prospects in the nation. Walpole-native Mike Shakespeare accepted a full scholarship to University of Maryland last spring as a junior. Jeff Muscatello, a Wells, Maine-native, also accepted a full scholarship as a junior to a perennial top-10 team — University of North Carolina.
Even a homegrown local product — Groveland's Greg Allis — has accepted a full scholarship offer from Lafayette College, another Division 1 program.
The talent pool has helped the Govs earn the No. 3 ranking in New England and No. 37 in America, according to a national power ranking.
"This is what happens when you combine a lot of talent with a good bunch of kids," Govs coach Peter Bidstrup said.
But Bidstrup's collection of talent seems a far cry from the local public-school lacrosse scene where Newburyport, Pentucket, Georgetown and Triton have all formed varsity programs within the last six years. Amesbury still does not offer a boys or girls lacrosse team. Thus, there wouldn't appear to be college recruiters combing the River Rival Region looking for the hidden gem.
"Up here in New England, lacrosse isn't as prominent as it is in New York or Maryland," Muscatello said. "You have to rely on exposure at showcase events in the summer. Those are the big ones."
The summer tournaments, which are typically held in the Mid-Atlantic region, offer invitations to players across the United States as well as scouts from many colleges. Both Shakespeare and Muscatello have been invited to the National Senior Showcase this summer in Chicago. The top 96 players in the nation earned invites to that tournament.
"If you play well at those showcases, there's a good chance you'll be recruited," Shakespeare said. "I signed with Maryland during the winter of my senior year, so they didn't even get a chance to see my last two years (at Governor's Academy) before they made the offer."
The Govs shared ISL titles in 2002, 2006 and 2007 before winning outright for the first time this season. Bidstrup believes his team's top-end talent may help change the perception of lacrosse in New England.
"Our players have gone to camps and represented themselves well," Bidstrup said. "It's led to coaches understanding we have good players in Eastern New England."
Both Shakespeare and Muscatello began playing lacrosse as third-graders. Shakespeare also played hockey at Governor's Academy; Muscatello played football.
"It's all lacrosse this summer," Muscatello said. "We're working with a bunch of professional trainers and lacrosse players to refine our skills and speed before college."
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