Under the right circumstances, heightened expectations for success can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Such has been the case over the past three years in Chelmsford, Mass., where a pair of powerhouse lacrosse programs have emerged.
Sean Wright took over the boys program three years ago from mentor Tom Gallagher, after serving as an assistant and JV coach for six years. At the time, the team was coming off a 4-16 season in 2015. Wright’s squad improved to 8-10 the next season and then leapt ahead again to 14-5 in 2017.
This past spring, the team racked up 15 wins before falling, 14-7, to Andover in the Division 1 state quarterfinals.
Looking back at the team’s evolution into a state title contender, Wright said, "We tried to create a new identity a few years ago. We had the talented kids. We just weren’t getting the commitment either to the sport mentally or to each other as teammates.
