After a ten‑year hiatus, the Vermont Voyageurs have re‑entered the national box lacrosse scene, bringing together high school and college athletes from the Upper Valley for a chance to hone their skills indoors.
Box Lacrosse’s Unique Demands
Box lacrosse, played on a compact indoor rink, is markedly quicker and more physical than its outdoor counterpart, featuring a 30‑second shot clock and a higher number of touches per player.
The team is currently competing in the NABLL Championship at Essex High School, where they are joined by elite squads from across the Northeast and a side from Minnesota, creating a showcase of some of the region’s strongest competition.
Club founder Jeff Culkin, who was part of the original Voyageurs organization, revived the program in response to growing demand from local coaches who wanted a structured indoor pathway for their players.
Among the standout athletes is Carter Freund, a Woodstock native and Detroit Mercy commit, who has been teammates with many of his peers since childhood, and Mark Van Der Schoot, another Woodstock native playing for Salve Regina, who sees the Voyageurs as a vital stepping stone in his development.
The Upper Valley Nighthawks also posted a pivotal 2‑1 victory over Sanford, a win that trimmed their deficit in the division race to just 2.5 games and underscored the competitive balance in the league.