MANSFIELD — The walk to Alumni Field hasn’t changed much in his 21 seasons for Mansfield. The stadium lights still can be seen for miles.

For the first time in a few years however, the Hornets’ nest is buzzing again, and boys lacrosse coach Tim Frias can’t help but appreciate the newfound momentum his group has gained this spring, taking on a new challenge each day.

“It’s a group of young men that are enjoying the sport,” Frias said. “It’s really fun to watch them play.”

The Hornets have always competed in the daunting Hockomock League, but usually struggled against perennial powerhouses such as Franklin and others. Then, the team caught fire in 2024.

Today, Mansfield is ranked seventh overall in the MIAA’s Div. 2 power rankings, with a 14-2 record and a rating of 7.2899.

The Hornets have seen a spike in offensive production, with Nico Smith (76 points) and Cole Holgancamp (75 points) leading a young core. Andrew DeGirolamo has added 67 points.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time I had three guys with point totals that high,” Frias said. “It probably was that 2015 team with Connor Finnerty, Billy Grant and Hunter Ferreira.”

Mansfield’s season has featured notable wins over Nauset and Cohasset. Next challenges are against Silver Lake and Taunton, before capping the regular season against foe Franklin.

The Hornets are hoping to win their first Hockomock League title since 2012, and they will have a prime opportunity to do so.

The Div. 2 playoff field will not be an easy march to overcome, but given the results so far, just about anything seems within reach.

“Those (past) teams really help me as a coach find out who I was,” said Frias. “They were just good kids, they loved lacrosse, and they brought me to that next level, where I hope to bring these kids.”

Dual success has Nantucket on an island

NANTUCKET — The ferry rides can be tiresome, but most have ended in celebration for both of Nantucket’s lacrosse programs.

The Whalers’ girls team is 15-0, leading the Div. 4 power rankings and sporting an MIAA power ranking of 8.9463. The boys? Also ranked No. 1 in Div. 4 at 13-1 and a rating of 7.1920.

“This has been a season to come for a lot of years,” said Nantucket girls coach Jami Lower. “We have super strong classes, on both the girls and the boys. They’re just really athletic, they’re competitive, and they love the sport. It’s coupled, and the energy is just contagious. Trickling down to the underclassmen, between the boys and the girls. There is a good rapport between the two groups.”

Helmed by Bailey Lower (101 goals, 59 assists) and by Emerson Pekarcik (82 goals, 31 assists), the Whalers have defeated each and every opponent in their path. One of the team’s highlights came at the start of the season, when the Whalers defeated Boston Latin on April 6 in a wild 20-13 contest.

The boys have been on a tear also, with senior captain Colton Chambers (30 goals, 21 assists) carrying a balanced attack. The Whalers have also witnessed the rise of sophomore midfielder, Arann Hanlon (34 goals, 14 assists).

The Whalers have been tasked with a tough Cape and Islands League schedule, but avenged their lone loss against Falmouth on May 24 with a convincing 8-4 victory.

“It’s been this group of seniors, for the most part,” said Nantucket boys coach Sam Aloisi. “They’ve been playing sports together their whole lives. They played hockey together. They’ve played lacrosse together, and they have a lot of experience, a lot of kids here between them. We’ve got a decent sophomore class, some other contributors there. Everything is just coming together.”