The goal for the Bishop Hendricken lacrosse team is always to win a state championship – nothing less.

And, even though the Hawks haven’t started the season how they would’ve liked to, their expectations haven’t been altered in the slightest.

“We’re not off to a great start,” Hawks’ head coach Kevin Murray said. “But our expectation is to still win a state title. We got beat by two good teams and we need to rebound.”

Hendricken dropped its season opener to three-time defending state champion, La Salle, 15-5, before being edged by East Greenwich, 11-10, on Monday night.

Now, the Hawks must work out of an early 0-2 hole, but Murray is confident that his team will do so.

Hendricken has a largely inexperienced roster this season, but one spot where it does have some experience is on defense, where senior captain Mike Murray, sophomore James Mueller and seniors Adam Crabtree and Adam Lavallee will see a bulk of the minutes.

At attack, the Hawks are a bit inexperienced, but sophomore Dylan McSparren – a first-year varsity player – as well as junior Wyatt Alberigo and senior John Hindinger will be relied upon to provide some offense this season.

At midfield, the Hawks will use a primary rotation of six players, comprised of senior captain Tyler Williams, senior Kiel Fuller, juniors Reilly Miller, Joe Sousa and Joe Palmer and sophomore Bryce Dylan.

In goal, there is a battle for time between sophomores Sam Milnes and Ryan Williams. Milnes and Williams split time in each of the Hawks’ first two games, but Murray noted that every week is an open competition.

Assisting Murray this season are Sean Murray, Kevin Murray’s son, and Joe Murray, Kevin Murray’s brother. Also helping out is junior varsity coach Matt Clifford.

With a lack of experience, the Hawks are taking some lumps early on, but plan to be in contention at the end of the spring.

“There’s some inexperience that we’re working through,” Kevin Murray said.

It doesn’t help that Division I is extremely deep this season, with tough games up and down the schedule.

The Rams may be the early favorite, as they’re off to a 2-0 start after rattling off three-straight titles.

“They’re a solid team and have some experience back with some new guys in there too,” Kevin Murray said. “They’re playing well early, but there are still some games to play.”

Hendricken knows that it can’t go back now, and can only work to get better going forward.

The Hawks will look to get in the win column tomorrow, when they travel to South Kingstown for a 4 p.m. start. The Rebels are also off to an 0-2 start.

The Hawks will put their first two games behind them and are optimistic about the rest of the season.

“Nobody likes to start 0-2, but there are a lot of games left to play,” Kevin Murray said. “It’s anybody’s game right now.”