Lacrosse Alums Match Up on Collegiate Level
In 2019, Greenie Lacrosse is coming off back to back state championship runs after record-breaking performances from players like Riley Smith '17 and Hunter Vines '18 (both currently at High Point), and leadership from Max Brie '18 (currently playing for St. Bonaventure). This Saturday, those same Greenie Lacrosse alums will match up at the collegiate level as High Point University and St. Bonaventure face off at 11:00AM at High Point University.
For Christ School Head Coach Jeff Miles, seeing three alums play on the same field is something special. "I have known Hunter and Riley since they were in 7th grade. Seeing them grow up and reap the benefits of Christ School and all of their hard work is so gratifying," Miles said. "Yet, the part that I really love is how close these three guys are. They are close on and off the field. They did an exceptional job in the classroom and on the field and having them play at the collegiate level really shows how far our program has come."
Smith and Vines are the Greenies' all-time leaders in career points with 320 and 312, respectively, and now suit up for High Point University. The team plays an incredible schedule this year facing Duke, Virginia and Air Force, but Vines and Smith have had three games circled on the schedule for a while. "This season, we play Max, Alex Byron '18 (Furman University) and Jonah Roberts '17 (Drexel University), said Riley Smith. "Getting the chance to play our former Greenie teammates is so special. We all worked so hard to achieve our goal of winning a state championship and playing college lacrosse. Now getting the opportunity to play against one another, it is incredible."
Hunter Vines, who will be playing in his first college game, echoed those sentiments. "It is surreal that I am here playing with Riley and playing against Max in our first game. The friendships you develop at Christ School are so strong, and now we are continuing them at the next level. I can't wait for Saturday. It is just crazy that this is happening."
For Brie and St. Bonaventure, this game marks a monumental moment for the University as this is the program's first game in school history. "I can't believe to think that our first game is so close. To be able to be a part of the group that is bringing lacrosse back to St. Bonaventure is a true honor. It's been a lot of hard work but I'm ready for the challenges and successes that lie ahead."
After celebrating two state championship as a Greenie, having the opportunity to play with Riley and Hunter again is special for Max. "It's crazy that I ended my high school career with these guys and now I am starting my college one with them. It's going to be weird seeing them on the opposite side but I'm happy to be back on the field with them. After having such a great experience these past three seasons in North Carolina it's only fitting I begin a new chapter here."
All three said that this game is just a "testament to the program that has been built at Christ School. It shows how far the Christ School program has come. At one point, Christ School lacrosse was just trying to win games, and now, the expectation is to win state championships and play at the next level. We were hunting and now we are the hunted. The tables have turned."
High Point University, Riley and Hunter will also play teammates in games against Drexel University (2/16) and Furman University (3/30).
If you can't make the game, all of High Point's home games are broadcast via High Point University Sports Link on ESPN+. A subscription to ESPN+ is only $4.99 a month or $49.99 for the year.
