In team sports with a goal, when a team suffers a loss, attention will focus on the goaltender. Nate Burns has experienced this throughout his lacrosse career.
He not only is the spring goalkeeper for the 2025 Hillers Lacrosse team, but he will be taking his talents to the next level and play collegiate lacrosse for Assumption University.
However, Burns’ path has not always been smooth, battles with confidence and responsibility have been a struggle throughout his time in the goaltender’s crease. He proves that perseverance is key to improvement and in order to fulfill dreams and hopes.
Why Lacrosse?
Despite the size of the high school, lacrosse is not a focal point of local sports culture. Although the Hillers have had success, they struggle to keep up with TVL powerhouse Medfield. For Burns, lacrosse has been a way of life.
“The game has so much to offer in terms of friendships and networking, it is unlike any sport I have ever played. The lacrosse community is very close knit,” Burns said.
Whether it be an organized team or not, Burns has always been with a tight-knit group of friends who play lacrosse together. One friend that he has played with for many years is fellow senior Sam O’Brien. They have played countless games and tournaments together, leading to a strong connection.
“I’ve been playing with Nate since sixth grade. It was very fun to watch him grow with the sport, as it was his first year then. We have always played together on every team, whether it’s club or town, and I have always enjoyed it,” O’Brien said.
“He is a universal leader for everyone and is always ready to work his hardest in practice and during games.”
Influence and Teaching
To perform at a high level, it helps to have a mentor. For Burns, this person has always been his coach Dan Norton.
“My high school and club coach. Coach Norton has been a tremendous guide throughout my lacrosse career. He has always had high expectations for not only me, but everyone else he coaches and is near,” Burns said.
“He was also always very open to questions about the recruiting process as he played at Springfield College and had many connections in the collegiate lacrosse world.”
Having a consistent voice in his ear during his career is something Burns credited to ability he will soon apply at the collegiate level. It is something he has desperately wanting to achieve.
“The growth of Nate as a person and player has been outstanding and very rewarding to watch as a coach. He is always willing to ask questions, whether it be lacrosse or life related, to fully understand how to be the best he can be,” Norton said.
“He has become a great role model for all of the goalies in town. He excels with working with the younger players, and it is great to see him want to give back.”
Norton also had great things to say about Burns’ leadership
“Nate is a great mix of leading by example and the classic vocal leader.”
“On the field, he communicates well with teammates and plays with passion. He discusses and collaborates with teammates/coaches to find solutions to problems in game and in the practice setting,” Norton said.
“Off the field, Nate is soft spoken and leads through action. Whether it be at community service events or work with the youth, Nate walks the walk.”
Inside the Crease and the Mind
Although Burns is now a dominant player inside the crease of his net, it has not always been this way. Burns struggled a lot with confidence as young player, causing him to avoid playing the goalkeeper initially. This slowly changed as he grew older, allowing him to play freely and not have to overthink while playing.
“I had to battle learning the confidence required to play the goalie position. When I was younger although I knew I was good, I wasn’t always the most confident in my abilities when I was tested,” Burns said.
“Once I had coaches and teammates reinforce my skills I became more confident in myself, and that started a snowball effect into myself now where I have a lot of confidence in my game.”
These struggles meant for Burns, having strong mentors and supportive teammates, helped him grow in confidence. The ability to play freely has made Burns one of the best goalies in the TVL and a captain.
What it Means to be a Team
Whether in town seasons and club seasons, Burns has had his fair share of teammates and coaches. Since joining the high school team during his freshman year, some aspects of the squad have impacted his everyday life.
“Being a member of the lacrosse team means a lot to me, because I have made many relationships. I enjoy all the memories I have made in the previous years with my teammates and fellow captains, which I looked up to from my freshman year through my junior,” Burns said.
“So now being a captain myself, I aspire to be a role model just like the previous captains were to the rest of our team.”
While the main measure of athletics is wins and losses, Burns’ experience during high school will impact his life longer than any set of numbers will.
Goals for Senior Year
Burns knows his lacrosse career will not be coming to an end, although this will be the last time playing with people he grew up with. He hopes to achieve great things as a team, but also has some specific goals for himself that he hopes to accomplish.
“The storybook ending for me on my high school lacrosse career would to be nominated for the MIAA VS ISL All-American Game. That game is held every year and has always been a dream of mine to play in that game,” Burns said.
“I have had many friends play in that game. After all my hard work on and off the field, that would be a great way to cap off my high school season.”
Burns hopes to follow in the footsteps of many Hiller lacrosse players before him and be named one of the best players in Massachusetts. Burns also wants to accomplish goals with his team, knowing it will be his final battle with them.
