Cal Dearth, first BU lacrosse player in MLL, finding way with Cannons

Over the past few years, players from new lacrosse programs have found their way in the Major League Lacrosse ranks. Marquette found an influx of talent to succeed in the pros, and Michigan has also begun to develop some talent.

After four years, Boston University has also begun to develop that talent for beyond college. In the 2017 collegiate draft, the Terriers saw two players selected; Cal Dearth and Dominick Calisto.

Dearth has found his way onto the field after being a fifth round draft pick of the Charlotte Hounds, and then traded back to Boston after two games. The Cannons, who had their eyes on selecting Dearth before he was picked by Charlotte, have seen their BU rookie pick up a few tallies in his first two games with Boston.

“It’s great,” Dearth said following Saturday’s game, an 18-17 loss to the Florida Launch. “A great opportunity. [Sergio] Perkovic got injured and I got my chance. Everyone on the team has been great. It’s great to be back in Boston, all my teammates and coaches were here.”

Perkovic, the Cannons second overall draft selection, broke his hand and opened a roster spot for Dearth, a midfielder/attack, to get an opportunity. He scored his first career goal at Charlotte on July 27th, and saw an expanded role on the 29th against Florida.

Dearth scored the first Cannons goal of the contest in the first quarter after Florida had opened up a 6-0 lead, and then he scored again in the third quarter.

“All the defenders are big and strong,” Dearth said. “Instead of having maybe a team with a couple of guys who dodge on them, I really have to work on my downhill dodging and stick protection as well.”

Dearth’s goals have all come on mid-range shots from the midfield, where he got all of his runs, alternating between the first and second units.

The former Terrier has found more of a role in Boston than he did in Charlotte, where he didn’t see the field much. He was traded to the Cannons during the MLL trade deadline.

“I found out on Twitter,” said Dearth. “Everyone on Charlotte was very nice. It worked out for me, travel wise, since I live a few minutes from the stadium. I had a great time in Charlotte, but glad to be back in Boston.”

With one game left in the regular season next week, the Cannons, sitting at 3-10, will play another team eliminated from postseason contention, the Atlanta Blaze.

“We played the Blaze with the Hounds, I was on the sideline,” said Dearth. “I know how they play, Ratliff is a great LSM. Looking to build off a close loss.”

The rookie out of Boston University has already picked up valuable experience for a Cannons team searching for offense. With Will Manny traded, and a lack of depth in the midfield, Boston has already been forced to move some midfielders towards attack, which makes room for Dearth to find his role in the Cannons offense going forward.