By Kyle Auger
Sports Editor
According to ESPN, Loyola University’s mens’ lacrosse team is the ninth best team in the nation, and after he graduates, the team will add Westford Academy junior Jay Drapeau to their already stellar roster. He has verbally committed to playing for the Greyhounds.
“I was very excited, they were my first choice for schools, so when I heard that they wanted me to play there I was very excited,” said Drapeau.
He is heading towards the culmination of a decade long journey of hard work and gathering experience, and it is clear that the work has paid off.
“I have been playing since I was 6 or 7 […] I love the pace of the game, I love the ball movement, teamwork, all those aspects,” said Drapeau.
After his young start, Drapeau fell in love with the sport playing for a myriad of select and school teams, thriving at all levels. However, playing at a division I power is a whole other plane of competition. But to Drapeau, it is still just lacrosse and he is embracing the challenge.
“I am looking forward to it, it is going to be a big change, but I think I am capable of handling it. […] Everyone at that level is just ten notches up, and they just have skills that are just nothing like anything at the high school level.” said Drapeau.
Playing at Loyola is sure to be a culture shock. Instead of being the “big fish” so to speak, he will be competing against other athletes who were in the same place as Drapeau, putting up absurd statistics while not being challenged to the fullest extent. But there will surely be no easy match-ups, all of the time he is on or off the ball, he will be crowded by world class defenders.
However, Drapeau does possess the necessary skills and five year teammate junior Ryan Hesseltine is confident that he will succeed while competing for national championships.
“I think he will do well there, Loyola is a great school, he will definitely help the program and hopefully he can help them win their next championship,” said Hesseltine.
Drapeau comes from a lacrosse family. His brother, Jack was a varsity captain and his father is an assistant coach for the varsity team. He describes Jack as a huge help throughout his career and in picking a school.
“He has been a big help, I have been playing with him for all four years [of high school], he has always been my teammate, he has always been there.” said Drapeau.
Heading for a new frontier will definitely be difficult but with years of work behind him, Drapeau is confident, after all.
“It’s just lacrosse.” said Drapeau.
