Mid-Atlantic Boys' Player of the Year AJ Marsh Blossomed into a Leader

The biggest question mark for defending Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association champion McDonogh coming into this year was its defense.

The Eagles returned brothers McCabe and Brendan Millon and Notre Dame commit Luke Miller on offense, faceoff ace Zach Hayashi and even added long-stick midfielder Mac Christmas to pair with LSM Ben Bavar. The defense graduated its goalie and two starting close defensemen. AJ Marsh, the lone returning starter on that end of the field, knew he would have to step up.

“I was a lot more nervous coming into the season that I didn’t have Jonny Cool or Malachi Jones to cover the top guy on the other team, so I’m usually going to have to do that in most situations,” Marsh said. “That was a lot to wrap my head around.”

Marsh was among the seniors that set the tone. They pushed hard in the offseason and made sure no one was complacent after winning the 2022 MIAA title. The Eagles won their first nine games before a brief stumble on the road, a 14-13 overtime loss at Loyola-Blakefield (Md.). It was the tail end of a three-game stretch in which the defense allowed the only double-digit scoring games of the whole season. McDonogh rebounded to win the next eight games, including an 8-7 overtime win over Boys’ Latin, before overwhelming Calvert Hall 14-5 in the MIAA title game.

“After that Loyola loss, we could have put our heads down and thought, ‘We lost a game and this is going to go downhill from here,’” Marsh said. “Then we had a close game after that. What I’m happy about is we were able to bounce back and recover so well.”

In doing so, McDonogh finished 17-1 and became just the third MIAA team to repeat in league history. Marsh’s defensive presence was a major lift to a young unit that got even younger when the Eagles inserted sophomore goalie Aidan Seibel into the starting lineup after losing to Loyola. Marsh served all season as the anchor while increasing his impact with his play on the wing.

AJ Marsh is the USA Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Region Boys’ Player of the Year.

“I just think AJ has been phenomenal the whole year,” McDonogh coach Andy Hilgartner said. “He’s super, super consistent and just a massive presence on the field in team defense and individual defense, transition, wing play, everything.”

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensemen has seen his responsibilities increase each season, and they took a big leap this season. Marsh made varsity as a freshman before the pandemic ended the 2020 season after two games, but he never expected much playing time that year. He started the first couple games as a sophomore before falling into the second LSM role. Last year, he started on a defense loaded with experience and talent led by Cool, Jones and Aidan Hurdle in front of goalie Anthony Wilson.

“I got to learn from the guys in front of me,” Marsh said. “Every guy had something different to offer and something I could learn. Jonny Cool was just such a beast in the middle of the field, so good up top on defense, so good off the ground. Then Malachi Jones was a splash player who could change the game at any time. Scotty Hilgartner, who’s just so talented off ball. He’s that communicative rock of the defense that everyone needs. Then there was Aidan Hurdle who was a great, great blend of all of them. I think I did a really good job of learning from those guys.”

Marsh contributed in ways that weren’t necessarily anticipated only a couple years back. He lined up on the wing frequently for faceoffs, something he got only a taste of at the end of last season. That trust from the McDonogh staff also helped Marsh feel more comfortable when he went into the offensive end.

“I probably crossed midfield in one game more than my whole career,” quipped Marsh.

Marsh was still first and foremost a defenseman. He caused 20 turnovers, but he also won 46 ground balls, while his increased role on the wing helped lead to four goals and four assists.

“Our short sticks did a good job on the wing when they were out there, but I just think when you have the opportunity to put two 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5 defensemen on the wing who can run and have insanely good stickwork, why not take advantage of it?” Hilgartner said. “That’s why we put him out there a lot of the times.”

Hilgartner witnessed Marsh’s growth into a dominant player. His final year was a tribute to his development over his high school career with noticeable changes in his play and leadership.

“Before, I would say he was a little bit more of a finesse defender and wouldn’t get his hands on his guys as much,” Hilgartner said. “But this year, it was very different. He physically imposed his will on a lot of guys. I can probably think of two goals all year where he got beat one-on-one… He was a more physical defender. And just way more confident, too.”

Marsh said the main reason for his improved play was confidence. His coaches and teammates trusted him and looked to him, and he overcame any anxiety he had about more responsibility and pressure on him to lead the defense vocally and by example.

“Everyone is so dangerous when they can find that confidence,” Marsh said. “It can really help you excel. That mental aspect is so huge in lacrosse, and I think it’s overlooked a little bit.”

The Eagles defense felt well prepared by the coaching staff for opponents’ tendencies, and as they started to settle into their roles, they formed one of the best units in the country.

“Because our poles were so good this year, other teams were just going to two-man us to death and try to create mismatches,” Hilgartner said. “So, AJ’s ability to play through the two-man game and find ways to stay on his guy or find ways to communicate a switch but then double back to his guy and circle back to him, he did such a good job of that. His intelligence and IQ really popped off this year.”

While the new starters were figuring out how to fit in McDonogh’s scheme, Marsh adapted to his own increased demands. He relished covering an opponent’s top attackman, and the Eagles’ emerging defense helped him feel more comfortable.

“That was a lot to wrap my head around,” he said. “Playing these good guys, I know I’m going to get beat, but practicing with our guys all year, knowing them so well, I know they’re going to have my back when I need it.”

Marsh’s speed and stick skills along with his aggressiveness enabled him to be more of a force through the midfield and not just on defense.

“I learned so much from Mac Christmas this whole year, him getting a ball up and playing offense,” Marsh said. “I think I had that going into the year a little bit, and Coach Hilgartner and the other coaches really allowed us to do what we wanted and allowed us to play confidently and allowed us to play free. Whenever there was a false start from the other faceoff guy, we would always pick it up and we would run two-man. You don’t see coaches allowing that out of most teams.”

Marsh is preparing for the next step in his career. He reports for Navy Plebe Summer next month and will join the Midshipmen for fall workouts as he looks to make another jump. His biggest focus is putting on weight that he will work to sustain throughout a season.

“It’s a new challenge,” Marsh said. “Everyone is bigger, stronger, faster, more skilled. It’s obviously pretty scary going into that, but I’m so excited to play for Coach [Joe] Amplo and play with these new guys that I’m going to meet. They’re going to be my brothers, and I’m excited to get out there with them and see what I can do and see if I can make a difference.”

Marsh made a big impact in his final season with McDonogh. He took on a bigger role as part of a senior class that will be tough to replace after guiding the Eagles to consecutive MIAA titles.

“This year is a little unique because in my opinion we’re losing one of the best offensive players we’ve ever had in McCabe, one of the best faceoff/leaders we’ve ever had in Hayashi and one of the best defensemen we’ve ever had in Marsh — which is saying a lot with the defensemen we’ve had over the years,” Hilgartner said. “When you lose three guys who are one of the best ever at their position on a team, it’s a tremendous loss. AJ, not only from a lockdown cover ability, but also from a leadership ability, is where we’re going to struggle to replace him. I think we’re losing one of the best ever, one of the most impactful guys.”