Since starting the Darien High School boys’ lacrosse program in 1984, Jeff Brameier has coached countless All-Americans and many standout players. There are almost too many to name.

But an elite player this season cemented himself as one of the best in program history with an incredible three-year run and an eye-opening final high school campaign.

Senior Kevin Lindley finished the season with a program-record 106 goals to best the previous mark of 73 set by Charley Howe in 2000, and over three years as a starter, he registered 219 career goals to break former Duke star Case Matheis’ program record of 219. He also broke Matheis’ career assist record of 122, finishing with 134, including 28 this season.

In the process, the left-handed attackman led Darien to its third straight Connecticut Class L state title and perfect 23-0 finish. The Blue Wave finished No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Northeast Top 10 and No. 2 in the National Top 25. Lindley, meanwhile, is the runaway selection for the Epoch/US Lacrosse Northeast Player of the Year.

“Kevin had a dominating year,” Brameier said. “Our style of play has fit into his forte very well. We are a share-the-ball type of offense and do a lot of things to get people open. We don’t rely as much on one-on-one dodging.”

Nike/US Lacrosse High School Rankings

National Boys' Top 25 | National Girls' Top 25
Northeast Boys' Top 10 | Northeast Girls' Top 10
Mid-Atlantic Boys' Top 10 | Mid-Atlantic Girls' Top 10
South Boys' Top 10 | South Girls' Top 10
Midwest Boys' Top 10 | Midwest Girls' Top 10
West Boys' Top 10 | West Girls' Top 10

Lindley, who is headed to Loyola, propelled Darien to new offensive heights this season. The Blue Wave set a program record for goals per game with 16.8, and Lindley had a hand in 5.8 of them through his own goals or assisting others such as teammate Logan McGovern, who finished with 71 goals and 53 assists.

Lindley is well aware of the talented players who have come before him and considers it an honor to now have his name in the record books beside them.

“There have been so many great players who have come through this program,” Lindley said, before running off a list of about 10 Darien legends from the past 20 years. “To say that I am on top of that, it’s mind-boggling. I truly can’t believe it.”

Brameier wasn’t surprised at all by Lindley’s achievements.

“Kevin is the best off-ball player I’ve ever coached,” Brameier said. “He just has a sixth sense for when to cut, where to pop, where to be, when to flash through. He’s tough as nails and not afraid to take a hit as he scores. But he would be the first to admit that he wouldn’t be where he is without guys getting him the ball in the right places.

“He’s a good dodger, but he’s an even better off-ball player. He’s just a pure shooter and finisher.”

Lindley was driven by the high expectations he set for himself. After a season-opening win over a strong Yorktown (N.Y.) team, Lindley was beside himself because he had missed some easy shots. Brameier said he told Lindley it was a good team win, and Lindley responded that he could play better.

The next game, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Lindley scored seven goals in a win over Niskayuna (N.Y.).

It was one of five games in which he scored at least seven goals.

“He scores goals in huge numbers,” Brameier said. “He was the man in almost every game.”

Lindley, the son of long-time Darien girls’ lacrosse coach Lisa Lindley, was shaped by growing up in a lacrosse family. He spent many, many hours at practice with his mom’s teams, and when he wasn’t with her, he was watching the boys practice.

Lessons learned from watching the Darien girls were transformative and impactful, Lindley said. He often served as an extra body his mom could use in her practices, and a lot of his off-ball skills came from those experiences.

“Watching my mom win a lot of games, it showed me the work ethic necessary and taught me how to win games,” Lindley said. “That’s the most important lesson I’ve ever learned, how to win. That inspired me at such a young age, like how are they doing this and what is their thought process.”

Just like Lindley won’t soon forget those lessons, he will long remember his special senior season.

Not only did he make his personal mark on the program, but he also helped Brameier become the all-time winningest coach in Connecticut state history and played a key part in extending the program’s record winning streak to 54 games.

Brameier is grateful to have players like Lindley leading the program.

“Those things are more longevity than anything,” Brameier said with a chuckle in regard to becoming the state’s winningest coach. “To do it in a year where we went undefeated and rose to No. 1 in the country in some polls, that was the kind of feather in the cap the kids were looking for. With what we’ve accomplished since 2005, we’ve been on a good run.”

EPOCH/US LACROSSE NORTHEAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR

KEVIN LINDLEY

School: Darien (Conn.)
Year: Senior
Position: Attack
Stats: 106 goals, 28 assists; school-record 219 career goals, second-most career points (289)

Coach Jeff Brameier: “Kevin is the best off-ball player I’ve ever coached. He just has a sixth sense for when to cut, where to pop, where to be, when to flash through. He’s tough as nails and not afraid to take a hit as he scores. But he would be the first to admit that he wouldn’t be where he is without guys getting him the ball in the right places.”

Also notable: Ryan Archer, Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.); Colby Barker, Pittsford (N.Y.); Ryan Cornell, Darien (Conn.); Connor DeSimone, Smithtown East (N.Y.); Ian Laviano, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.).

NIKE/US LACROSSE NORTHEAST TOP 10 (FINAL)

1. Darien (Conn.), 23-0

The Blue Wave claimed their fourth consecutive Class L state title with a 16-3 win over Cheshire (Conn.) and pushed their winning streak to 54 games. The championship was their 13^th overall. Kevin Lindley (Loyola) set a program record with 106 goals and 132 points. Senior goalie Ryan Cornell (Vermont) and talented long poles anchored a Darien defense that allowed 4.2 goals per game.

2. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), 21-0

The Seahawks earned their third straight state title with a hard-fought 11-9 decision over Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) in the Class C final for their 28^th consecutive win. They have two losses combined over the past three championship seasons. Ian Laviano (Virginia) led the Seahawks with 68 goals and 39 assists.

3. Ward Melville (N.Y.), 20-2

The Patriots’ ninth state title came with a dramatic 10-9 overtime win against Pittsford (N.Y.) in the Class A championship. Christopher Grillo led the Patriots with 37 goals and 15 assists, while Eddie Munoz (Stony Brook) added 35 goals and 15 assists. 

4. Chaminade (N.Y.), 11-4

The Flyers were awarded the CHSAA Class AAA championship after the CHSAA sanctioned St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) for using an illegible player this season, canceling the title game with a forfeit and stripping the Friars of all their wins. Regan Quinn (Virginia) had 18 goals and 15 assists to lead Chaminade this season. 

5. Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.), 21-2

J-D built a 5-1 lead in the second quarter, but couldn’t hold on in an 11-9 loss to Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) in the Class C state final. The Red Rams’ only other loss was to Yorktown (N.Y.) on April 11. Senior Ryan Archer (Hobart) totaled 71 goals and 76 assists this season, while junior Griffin Cook (Syracuse) added 86 goals and 35 assists.

6. Victor (N.Y.), 19-3

The Blue Devils were dominant in a 9-3 win over Yorktown (N.Y.) in the Class B final, as they collected their third consecutive state championship. Junior attackman Sam Lambert (LeMoyne) led the Blue Devils with 21 goals and 35 assists.

7. Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.), 19-1

L-S claimed its third straight Division 1 state title with an 8-7 win over Boston College High (Mass.) to finish the season without an in-state loss. The Warriors built a 5-0 lead early and an 8-4 lead after three quarters in the final, and Jack Sutherland led the way with three goals. Their lone loss was a 7-5 decision against Summit (N.J.).

8. Pittsford (N.Y.), 19-2

The Panthers just missed out on their first state title, dropping the Class A championship in heart-breaking fashion against Ward Melville. Senior midfielder Colby Barker (Ohio State) finished a strong season with 49 goals and 26 assists.

9. Smithtown East (N.Y.), 15-4

The Bulls’ season ended with a 9-8 loss to Ward Melville (N.Y.) in the Suffolk County Class A title game. Connor DeSimone (Johns Hopkins) finished the year with 60 goals and 54 assists, while Michael Latini (Fairfield) had 48 goals and 17 assists. All of East’s losses were by one goal, including a regular-season loss to Ward Melville. 

10. Yorktown (N.Y.), 17-5

Yorktown closed the season with a 9-3 loss to Victor in the Class B state final after earning a thrilling overtime win over Garden City (N.Y.) in the semifinals. Junior Jamison Embury (Marist) led the Cornhuskers with 51 goals and 32 assists.