Team-First Fitzpatrick

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

Mickey Fitzpatrick doesn't care about individual statistics.

For Fitzpatrick, it's all about the team.

"One thing Coach Cassese always talks about is how we put so much time into what we do – whether it's practice, film, lifting or conditioning – and he always brings up a great point that has resonated with me," said Fitzpatrick.

"Only eight percent of the time we spend together is games.

"It makes you truly realize how much time you put in with your teammates, coaching staff and friends. Stats are great and it's awesome when you get a goal or assist, but working towards a common goal is something way more special than personal statistics."

Fitzpatrick has developed into one of the most important, yet unheralded players on a Lehigh men's lacrosse team full of talent. His class alone features the likes of All-Patriot League players Craig Chick, Andrew Pettit and Eddie Bouhall, which means someone like Fitzpatrick can be easily overlooked from those outside the program.

Internally, everyone around the Mountain Hawks know his importance.
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"On the field, especially this year, my role has continued to develop into that point guard, a dodger like I have been in other years," said Fitzpatrick. But this year, my primarily job is to facilitate and initiate the offense."

Fitzpatrick has helped facilitate plenty of success in his time at Lehigh, but his journey to this point wasn't always easy.

Flash back to his high school days. Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese played an important part in Fitzpatrick deciding on a school approximately five hours west from his hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts.

"I actually committed to Lehigh early," he said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could tell that Coach Cassese stood out in how he treated his players and how he really cared for the program. I could see myself not only coming here and being successful, but also developing lasting relationships with my teammates."

Fitzpatrick has gone on to do just that, due in large to his positive energy and infectious personality.

"Mickey is undoubtedly one of the most positive and energetic personalities on our team," said Pettit. "He is always having fun and seems to brighten the mood of every practice. I would definitely describe Mickey as a leader of the team and somebody who younger guys can always look up to."

"Mickey is a great teammate," said Cassese. "The underclassmen really look up to him and lean on him for support and advice. Mickey always brings passion and positive energy to everything he does. He loves playing the game and working hard alongside his Lehigh Lacrosse brothers."

In many ways, Fitzpatrick has served as a big brother to his younger teammates.

"We are lucky enough to have captains that are doing a phenomenal job this year," he said. "My role has been to help those younger guys gain experience and help teach them what I've learned throughout my career."

Fitzpatrick's career has included several ups and downs, beginning with the initial adjustment to college lacrosse.

"Adjusting to the speed of the game was difficult for me," he said. "Every aspect of the game was so much faster – whether it's how quickly you have to get your shot off, to how fast you need to dodge, to how quickly you have to make a decision on the field."

As a freshman, Fitzpatrick's playing time was limited, getting into 10 games.

"We were so talented and I was inexperienced," he said. "Then sophomore year, I was in and out of the lineup. I was working as hard as I could and I wasn't really getting the results I wanted. Coming in junior year, I had high expectations for myself. The year was going well, especially for the team. We had a big game at Boston University, which is only 30 minutes from my house. I had a bunch of friends and family there."

What proceeded was something Fitzpatrick says is one of his top memories as a Mountain Hawk, if not the top…

Mickey scored in the final minute to break a 6-6 tie for a 7-6 win, clinching Lehigh's eighth consecutive Patriot League Tournament berth (a streak that reached nine straight this year).

What a way to cap off his homecoming. Mickey Fitzpatrick with the game-winner with 38 seconds remaining at Boston University today to give Lehigh a thrilling 7-6 win! pic.twitter.com/w4nFLpbZ22
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 31, 2018

"It was right place, right time at the end of the game," he said. "The ball just popped right out to me (after BU goaltender Joe McSorley made the save on Lucas Spence) and I was lucky enough to see it go in. That made me feel like all my hard work had paid off and made me realize that I was ready to take that next step."

Fitzpatrick did just that as the Mountain Hawks went on to the Patriot League Championship Game for the first time since 2014. Even though Fitzpatrick had just two goals and an assist in the league tournament, he was a difference maker.

"Mickey's athletic abilities have made him someone who opposing defenses must game plan against," said Pettit. "For this reason, he is always drawing slides and facilitating defensive movements. His ability to start an offense is phenomenal and sometimes overshadowed because what he brings to our team doesn't always show up on the stat sheet. His journey during the last four years has seen him play in many different roles for our team, and he has overcome a lot to get to this position today as one of our top offensive threats."
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Fitzpatrick actually connected with Pettit for one of the biggest goals of Lehigh's Patriot League semifinal victory over Navy last season, coming just 26 seconds into the fourth quarter to tie the score at eight.

It was a textbook example of what Fitzpatrick does, run by a defender and make things happen.

"I've spent a lot of time with Coach Cassese trying to develop my dodging and specifically my ability to dodge, draw that first slide and embrace that role as the dodger," said Fitzpatrick. "Coach has helped me not only develop my skills, but also adapt that mindset of taking my game to another level."

Ask Fitzpatrick about his Lehigh experience and Coach Cassese's impact comes up often. While Mickey has developed on the field, he has also developed off it due in large part to Cassese and the entire coaching staff.

"We go through this rigorous schedule with academics, training, lacrosse and everything, but [a lot of my development] goes back to Coach Cassese, the role model he is for our program and the type of man he is," said Fitzpatrick. "You can see it on a daily basis with how he interacts with all the players, the parents and other coaches. Lacrosse at the end of the day is just a game. Your character is just as, if not more, important."

Along with strong character, Lehigh Lacrosse cares deeply about succeeding in all aspects of life. The Mountain Hawks care about each other like family, and care about winning, a combination that usually leads to success.

"When you think about that team goal of winning that Patriot League Championship, I don't think about putting in all those hours, doing sprints or spending all this time in the weight room," said Fitzpatrick. "I think about doing it all with my friends.

"I have developed a lasting relationship that I'll have forever with everyone in my class."

That relationship will extend years and hopefully decades. Lehigh, in so many ways, has helped prepare Fitzpatrick for decades of success.

A seed was planted for that success last summer when Mickey interned in New York City with the wealth management group Matauro.
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"That was an amazing experience, which opened my eyes to the finance world," he said. "I ended up getting the internship through the alumni association and Harrison Lawrence. It was neat to connect with alumni and see that they really care about us, wanting us to be successful after lacrosse."

Success within lacrosse and outside lacrosse are very much related.

"I saw the internship as similar to the mindset when you're playing sports," said Fitzpatrick. "Finance is a very competitive environment. Going forward, I can see myself being successful just because of the competitive edge that most athletes have. I hope to work with the same company as soon as I graduate, which would be a great experience."

First thing's first. Fitzpatrick is hoping to end his Lehigh experience on a high note this weekend, with the Patriot League semifinals on Friday and with a win, championship game on Sunday. No matter how things play out, Fitzpatrick takes pride in leaving the program in a strong position moving forward.

Remember, Fitzpatrick doesn't care about individual statistics. He is all about the team.

"Mickey has always brought a team-first attitude," said Cassese. "He has sacrificed a lot over the course of his career, especially this year, moving from midfield to attack in the absence of Andrew Pettit. He is playing out-of-position, but is always willing to do whatever is necessary for the betterment of the team."

"Part of the reason that we're having success now is that when we were freshmen, our senior class was complementally phenomenal, not only on the field, but also in the way they treated us," said Fitzpatrick. "From day one, all those guys took us under their wings and saw that we had potential to really make an impact here.

"When the current freshmen, sophomores and even juniors originally came in, we tried to adapt that mindset," Fitzpatrick continued. "I've tried to immediately make the younger guys feel welcomed and loved. Try to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.

"You're seeing the impacts already."

Better Me Better We

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #1 Army on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 6, to, 13

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #3 Boston University on April 28, 2026 , Win , 16, to, 15

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Lafayette College on April 24, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 12

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Navy on April 18, 2026 , Win , 19, to, 7

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Colgate University on April 10, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 9

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #4/5 Princeton University on March 31, 2026 , Loss , 8, to, 15

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #18/19 Army on March 28, 2026 , Loss , 11, to, 14

Lehigh University Athletics

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Eddie Bouhall

Craig Chick

Mickey Fitzpatrick

Harrison Lawrence

Andrew Pettit

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