WARWICK, RI – The Bishop Hendricken Hawks lacrosse team has opened the spring season with three consecutive victories, building on last year's state championship run and establishing themselves as early favorites to repeat as Division I champions.

The Hawks, who captured the Division I lacrosse title last spring for the third time in five years, returned eight starters from that championship squad and added several talented underclassmen who have impressed in early games. Head coach Brian Coen, who has built Hendricken into one of the premier lacrosse programs in New England, expressed cautious optimism about the team's prospects.

"We have a lot of talent and a lot of experience, but we also know that every team in the state is going to be gunning for us," Coen said. "We can't take anything for granted. We have to earn it every day in practice and every game."

Senior attackman Tyler Rossi, who was named the state's top player last year, has picked up where he left off, scoring 12 goals in the team's first three games. Rossi, who has committed to play at Duke University, is considered one of the top lacrosse recruits in the country.

The Hawks' defense, anchored by senior defenseman Patrick Connolly and sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Murphy, has been equally impressive, allowing just eight goals in three games.

"This program has done incredible things for our school and our community," said Hendricken athletic director Michael Moran. "The lacrosse team represents everything we stand for—hard work, teamwork, and excellence."

The Hawks' schedule includes several challenging non-conference matchups against top programs from Massachusetts and Connecticut before the Rhode Island Interscholastic League season begins in earnest.