Already Elite, Lake Forest's Boys’ Lacrosse Team Reaches Higher

Six time defending state boys' lacrosse champion New Trier is the program by which all others measure themselves, according to . 

was a disappointment, but it may have marked a turning point in an already successful season. The Scouts (8-3 overall, 6-0 in the North Suburban Conference) showed themselves that they have what it takes to contend for the state title and dethrone New Trier.

 “You’re going to feel good if you beat New Trier,” Maigler said. “But you won’t feel bad if you lose because nobody beats New Trier.” 

Scout stars Ryan Laughlin and Sean Kelleher disagree. They were two of the reasons the Scouts put themselves in a position to upend the Trevians. Laughlin tallied four goals against New Trier and Kelleher scored three. The seniors brought their team back from a 10-5 deficit early in the fourth quarter to the verge of sending the game into overtime. 

“We know we have to keep positive,” Laughlin said. “We have to play hard the whole game.”

The only time New Trier (7-0 overall) could appear on the Lake Forest schedule again is in the state tourney. 

The one-point setback made Laughlin and Kelleher realize their team has the potential to beat New Trier to become the school’s fourth state champion this year.

 “We have to keep a positive attitude,” Laughlin said. “If we do that we can beat anybody. We have to keep everything in front of us.” 

Attitude works both ways. The Scouts have been ranked among the top five in the state this season, and showing why will stick with opponents when the state tourney starts toward the end of this month.

“They know we’re a good team,” Kelleher said. “If we give them a problem they’ll remember us next time. That’s what we accomplished today." 

Laughlin remembers the 16-4 defeat the Scouts suffered at the hands of New Trier a year ago. He said he felt the Trevians didn't take the Scouts seriously then and now that has changed. He too is waiting for the next time. 

“They didn’t respect us (after the 16-4 defeat),” Laughlin said. “Now they have to. They’re going to respect us now."

The season is a highlight for both Laughlin and Kelleher, but it will be a midpoint of successful careers. Both Laughlin and Kelleher began playing lacrosse at an early age. Kelleher started as a youth in Lake Forest before moving with his family to California. The family later returned to Lake Forest and became a mainstay for the Scouts. 

Laughlin began playing the game in fifth grade in his native Philadelphia. “I’m from the east, that’s what we do,” he said of lacrosse. When his family arrived in Lake Forest a few years later, he played for St. Mary’s Middle School before becoming a Scout. 

Originally Laughlin played football as well as lacrosse, but made lacrosse his full-time passion this year. He likes the action. 

“You don’t run and stop,” Laughlin said. “You keep going. You’re running back and forth in lacrosse. You keep the pace going.” He plans to continue as a preferred walk on at Denver University next year. 

“You’re getting a very good look in tryouts,” Laughlin said, describing the process when no scholarship is involved. “They know who you are.” Kelleher will be playing for Wittenberg University in Ohio when he enters college in the fall. 

Maigler is as excited for the future as he is for the present. Laughlin and Kelleher are part of a deep team with a solid crop of juniors poised to provide leadership in a year. They also may be one of the smartest classes after 11 juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society.

“They are there for each other,” Maigler said.