The Day's All-Area Boys' Lacrosse Player of the Year: East Lyme's Drew Sager

It is getting more difficult in a self-indulgent society to preach the concept of “team.” Or perhaps better stated: Preaching is one thing, but getting your players to absorb it is quite another.

And then there is Drew Sager, for whom “team” is done from habit, not reaction.

“Drew has set a standard here,” East Lyme coach Gary Wight said, “and knowing Drew, he would gracefully expect those measures to be met — and would want for our program that they be exceeded by his Viking brethren next spring.”

Sager, who set a state boys’ high school lacrosse record during the regular season, is The Day’s 2024 All-Area Player of the Year in the sport. He scored 83 goals and had 62 assists, 78 ground balls and 40 takeaways. Sager, recently named to the Class M all-state team, led the Vikings (13-8), long the region’s yardstick in lacrosse, to the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament title and to the state tournament semifinals.

“Drew is a player who you always hope to have on your team. He’s an individual of admirable character who approaches everything with passion,” Wight said. “Always keeping in mind ‘team first.’”

During the regular season, Sager posted an eight-goal, seven-assist game, giving him 15 total points and a spot in the state record book for most points in a game, per LaxNumbers.com.

“We got some great faceoff (wins) from Jake (Correia) that day,” Sager said. “Just a great team game.”

The record lasted eight days. Fitch’s Boden Frost finished a subsequent game with three goals and 12 assists.

Off the field, however, is where Sager’s story gets better. The gaudy stats aside, the best he’ll play lacrosse in college is on the club team level. He’s headed to Notre Dame and then to serve his country.

“I’m doing a Navy scholarship through an ROTC program,” Sager said, “and then I’m getting commissioned in the Navy after my four years at Notre Dame. It started a long time ago. My dad's in the Navy. My sister’s at the Naval Academy right now. My whole family. Both my grandfathers served in Vietnam. So it's embedded in our family. Serving my country is what I want to do with my life and that's what I'm hoping to do.”

Sager, who also plays hockey for the Eastern Connecticut Eagles (his dad, Eric, is the coach) knows he could play in college at some level. But here is one example of an athlete still believing in the power of higher education.

“I decided coming into high school when the whole recruiting process started. I wanted to go to school for academics,” Sager said. “Notre Dame was my No. 1 from the beginning. Great campus, great people. The alumni connection is awesome. And obviously their academic reputation is great. So that's really what I was looking for. I'm super excited for it.”

Even though Sager’s time at East Lyme has ended, the legacy lingers. And Wight can get great mileage from what Sager leaves.

“He is a student of the game and his knowledge of lacrosse has made him a significant contributor,” Wight said. “He led by example, providing guidance, and would always encourage his teammates. His natural leadership qualities, both on and off the field, have inspired those around him to always do their best. He’s created lasting chemistry here.”

m.dimauro@theday.com

The Day’s 2024 All-Area Boys’ Lacrosse Team

Player of the Year - Drew Sager (East Lyme)

Attack - Mason Bussmann (Old Lyme), Jack Campbell (East Lyme), Roman Rich (Fitch)

Midfield - Noah Courter (St. Bernard-Wheeler), Boden Frost (Fitch), Logan Jenkins (NFA), Aidan Patterson (East Lyme)

Defense - Spencer Kennedy (East Lyme), Dom Hedge (Waterford), Zach Carroll (Bacon Academy)

Short-stick defensive midfield - Luke Sallan (East Lyme)

Long-stick midfield - Campbell Posgay (East Lyme)

Face-off - Jake Correia (East Lyme)

Goalie - Chase Beyus (Fitch)

Utility - Ben Howes (St. Bernard-Wheeler), Brendan Li (Williams), Ethan LoVetere (Bacon Academy)