Homecoming For Lacrosse Player Mahony

By Andy Hutchison

When Ben Mahony’s family packed its bags and moved to California last year, the high school lacrosse player never thought he would be back playing on the Treadwell Park turf with his former teammates.

On April 17, however, there he was — just like the old days.

Mahony, who now plays lacrosse at Chaminade Prep in West Hills, Calif., had a the rare opportunity to come across the country and see his former teammates for an organized practice.

Chaminade happened to have a trip to Connecticut planned to play games against fellow private schools Avon Old Farms and Choate Rosemary Hall. While the team was three time zone changes to the right, the opportunity to hit the field with Mahony’s old team came up in discussions. Chaminade Coach JD Lopez was put in contact with Newtown Coach Brian Micena and the teams lined up a practice (a game couldn’t be scheduled because of Chaminade regulations, the coaches said). So, Mahony practiced against his former teammates and peers.

“I never thought I’d be coming back here,” Mahony said. “We were joking around and stuff — having fun. It’s fun to be able to play with everyone again.”

Mahony, a midfield player, says he’s enjoying playing for a private school in the Los Angeles area. West Hills is roughly 30 miles from LA.

“To have Ben come to play his old team is a lot of fun,” Micena said. “Ben still, and always, is a big part of our program.”