Few rivalries in Indiana sports are as significant as Hamilton Southeastern vs. Carmel in boys lacrosse. Every matchup is an instant classic and full-time thriller. On Friday, May 1, the Royals are playing the Carmel Greyhounds at home.
This matchup between the two powerhouses is what defines Indiana lacrosse. Each year, the Royals and the Greyhounds don’t just compete against each other; they set the standard. This matchup will show what is to come later during the postseason and could be an early indicator for who will come out on top.
“This game isn’t just a win or lose for both teams; this game sets the tone for the entire state,” Senior defender Graham Toner said.
Recent history only adds to the importance of this game. The Royals are two-time defending state champions and looking for their third consecutive state championship. In the past two state championships, the Royals have defeated Carmel both times. Carmel is looking to win their regular-season matchup against Hamilton Southeastern to set a statement going into the postseason.
Both teams are loaded with star power going into this matchup. Currently the Royals’ offense is led by senior attacker Marcus Laux and senior midfielder Henry Wans, who lead the Royals with 26 and 24 goals this season. The Royals offense relies on their senior core to score. On defense, the Royals are led by sophomore defender Dylan Joshi, who has 19 takeaways this season. Junior long-stick midfielder Vince Putnam also plays a crucial role on defense, as he leads the Royals in ground balls with 63.
The Carmel Greyhounds are led by senior attacker Ike Stitle. Stitle leads the state with 47 goals. Stitle is committed to the University of Siena to play lacrosse and will be a huge problem if he goes unanswered. The Greyhounds defense heavily relies on senior long-stick midfielder Matthew Quigley and junior midfielder Eli Chapa. Quigley and Chapa lead the Greyhounds in ground balls and are one of the main reasons Carmel can quickly get back to playing offense.
Both of these teams are high-scoring, efficient teams and will show each other no mercy. Beyond the stats, this rivalry is built on countless hard-fought battles and a legacy bigger than anything else. These two teams consistently show the rest of the state what the best teams look like each season.
The Hamilton Southeastern Royals will play the Carmel Greyhounds on Friday, May 1. Pack the stands that night because you will see a hard-fought, gritty battle between the top two teams in the state. Make sure to show out for the Royals Friday night to defeat the Carmel Greyhounds.
