Despite its seemingly-annual late start because of weather, the high school lacrosse season has finally arrived.
It can be argued that the prep game has never been stronger in the Upper Valley. The Hanover girls are defending a state title while the Hartford boys and Woodstock girls reached championship games last spring.
Also notable are signs of stability and growth with the Hartford girls and the Lebanon boys, both of which have struggled in recent years. The Hanover boys hit a low note last season when they failed to reach the NHIAA playoffs for the first time since that event was created in New Hampshire. However, the Marauders appear poised for a bounce-back campaign against a tough Division I field.
The Lebanon girls have the youngest team coach Sara Ecker has ever guided in 23 years, but also boasts athletes who have tasted high-level success with the Raiders field hockey and basketball programs. The Stevens boys program, kept alive for the past six years by the selfless toil of previous coach Jed Hart, attempt to reboot under first-year head man Peter Lynch.
A team-by-team look at the Upper Valley’s lacrosse squads:
Hanover
Coach: Ryan Gardner (3)
Last year: 7-11, missed playoffs.
League: NHIAA Division I.
Returnees: Seniors — Jake Acker (M), Owen Brooks (M), Griffin Johnson (M), Pat Logan (D), Gabe Loud (D), Brian Seltzer (M), Joe Warhold (G), John Warhold (D), Reed Winter (M). Juniors – Michael Mackall (D), Brian Pattison (M), Graham Penfield (A), Colin Rozzi (M), Mike Staiger (D), Pete Warhold (M). Sophomore – Eli Silovich (A).
Newcomers: Senior — Jensen Dodge (M). Juniors — Robbie Barnum (M), Fletcher Kaplan-James (D), Taigue Fullerton-Meaney (M), Alex Mosenthal (LSM). Sophomores — Simon Roach (LSM), Kyle Rozzi (A), Mason Winter (G), Griffin Young (M). Freshmen — Charlie Baughman (M), Hill Carter (A), Tono Correa (A), Caleb Morse (A).
Analysis: Hanover graduated starting defenders Tristan Gosselin, Tenzin Tashi and Kaleb Hunt and attackman George Geraghty, who produced 61 points. Seltzer had 34 goals. and Reed Winter (22), Acker (22) and Penfield (13) are other returning parts of the offense. “Our emphasis this year will be on taking care of the ball in transition and putting a premium on possessions,” said Gardner, whose team was 12-6 during his first season. “Whether we have success in avoiding turnovers and winning the ground ball battle will shape our season.”
Hartford
Coach: Bill Elberty (8)
Last year: 10-6, lost in finals.
League: Vermont Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Nick Dorain (A), Matt Lucke (D), Ben Roulliard (M), Chris Dorain (G). Juniors — Andrew Daley (A), Adam Parker (A), Joe Batchelder (M), Kyle Prior (M), Patrick McGlone (M), Alex St. Martin (LSM), Mehdi Orogi (D), Kody Rhodes (D). Sophomores — Nick Porter (LSM), Reece Thompson (M), Andrew Knight (M), Jonas Spaulding (M), Justin Bettis (D), Jacob Derosier (A), Michael Thompson (G).
Newcomers: Senior — Kyler Hella (A). Sophomores — Dawson Nalette (A), Max Pfeiffer (D), Colton Schaal (D), Austin Shepard (D). Freshman – Hunter Hutchinson (A), Logan Raymond (A), Cedar Duda (D/LSM).
Analysis: The graduation of Nate Lemieux and Walkker Judd, who combined for more than 60 points, will be felt on the scoresheet for a team that reached the state title game in the first year of the newly created Division III. Starting defenders Jason Bielecki and Justin Pero are also gone, but Lucke’s return is a plus. The offense looks good with Nick Dorain, Thompson and Rouillard, who combined for more than 90 points a year ago. Chris Dorain returns in goal and Porter at long-stick midfielder. “We will be fast and athletic with a higher game IQ than last year but will still be young,” said Elberty, who will start six underclassmen. The Hurricanes are 28-43 during the last five years.
Lebanon
Coach: Rob Fett (1).
Last year: 4-10, did not make playoffs.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors: Sam Buckman (D), Ben Gerow (D), Nate Damren (A), Jordan Hammond (M). Juniors — Luke Sandmann (D). Sophomores — Nate Chickering (A/M), Aaron Damren (A), Gareth Davis (G), Jack Sandmann (A).
Newcomers: Senior — Jamison Rios (M). Junior — Solomon Mellish (M). Sophomores — Zach Barden (D), Devin Benson (D), Ryan Hart (D), Patrick Mason (A/M), Noah McIntire (A/M), Brad Plodzik (A/M), Justin Rogers (D), Caiden Skakalsi (G), Jack Smyrski (M). Freshman — Jon Cloud (A/M).
Analysis: Fett, an assistant with the Raiders’ girls team the past five seasons, takes over a program that is 14-44 the past four years. The Raiders last made the playoffs in 2015. The starting defense appears strong but goaltending, a longtime concern for Lebanon, remains uncertain. The loss of attackman Michael Fleury and his 30 points to the prep school ranks doesn’t help, but Nate Damren (46 points) and Hammond (22 points) were also threats last season.
Stevens
Coach: Peter Lynch (1).
Last year: 1-13, did not make playoffs.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Logan Bateman (D/M), Tim Berry (A/M), Devon Burgess (D), Nick Eagan (A), Dylan Kemp (D), Chris Lafont (D/M), Max Salls (A). Juniors — Solomon Cormier (M), Alex Devre (A/M), Donovan Putnam (A/M). Sophomore — Isaiah Forrest (D).
Newcomers: Sophomore — Ian Fitzpatrick (A/M). Freshmen — Quentin Bickell (M), Tucker Derosier (G), Keagan Mcallister (M), Lucas Mudge (M), Duncan Florence (M).
Analysis: The Cardinals are 3-67 the past five years. Lynch is a former Hartford assistant who held that position with Stevens last season. Stevens lost only three players from last year’s squad, but that included both goaltenders, necessitating the use of freshman Derosier in net. Bateman is a standout, and Putnam had 13 goals last spring. Claremont’s junior high program had 25 players last year, so it’s hoped the current low numbers of freshmen and sophomores will not threaten the high school team.
Woodstock
Coach: Brandon Little (9).
Last year: 8-8, lost in first round of playoffs.
League: Marble Valley, Vermont Division I.
Returnees: Seniors — Jonas Kantola (A), Jack Arthur (A), Daniel Robinson (M), Patrick Bald (M), Andrew Buchan-Groff (D), Ezra Astbury (M). Juniors — Cullen McCarthy (M), Griffin Van Niel (M), Patrick Potter (M), Rudy Torrijos (D). Sophomores — Caden White (A), Lucas Piconi (A) Ben Marsicovetere (LSM), Micah Schlabach (M).
Newcomers: Seniors — Luc Issa (D), Cody Carnehammer (D). Juniors — Josh Kennedy (A), Eliot Shoemaker (D). Sophomores — Ora Astbury (LSM), Jed Astbury (M), Isaac Emery (M), Wade Hirschbuhl (M), Yeabsira Miles (M), Gabriel Marsicovetere (G). Freshmen — Trevor White (M), Gunnar Wood (M), Daniel Lessard (A).
Analysis: The Wasps couldn’t hold a lead in their playoff game last spring and failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since they initially qualified for that round in 1993. The sting no doubt lingers for a program that continues to play in Division I despite having a comparatively small enrollment. Woodstock must replace its goaltender and faceoff man, an attackman and two defenders, but the town’s youth program and high school lacrosse tradition are strong. Robinson scored 33 goals last year and five others had at least 15 points.
Hanover
Coach: Chris Seibel (5).
Last year: 15-5, won state title.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Mahler Meyerrose (D), Annika Cole (D,) Sophie Cardinali (D), Sonthaya Lacy (A), Johanna Copeland (A), Amelia Lubrano (M). Juniors — Perrin Milliken (M), Cate Wagner (M), Lyla Stettenheim (D), Isabelle Sangha (M) Katlyn Hurd (G) Maddie Wallace (D). Sophomores — Hailey Fahey (A), Aiden Stone (D), Jasmine Lu (M).
Newcomers: Juniors — Natalie Smith (D), Hanna Kingston (A), Tessa Cahoon (D). Freshmen — Jessica Seibel (A), Maddie McCorkle (M), Sabin Mitchell (D), Allison Lichtenstein (G).
Analysis: The Marauders graduated one starter but lost senior midfielder Maddie Lyons to a season-ending injury during the preseason. There’s also the absence of senior Molly Seibel, now at Phillips Exeter and who had 102 points last spring. Lyons had 50 points as a junior, so the offense now turns to Copeland, who had 76 points last season. The defense features Meyerrose, Cole and Cardinali, and Lubrano is a defensive standout in the midfield. Milliken and Wagner dodge well, and Hurd returns after a strong postseason showing a year ago. McCorkle is a star in the making. “I think we will have a slower start to the season than normal, but I expect another run for the crown,” Seibel said.
Hartford
Coach: Jen Wheatley (3).
Last year: 2-14, lost in first round of playoffs.
League: Vermont Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Jaden Sanborn (G), Kaylee Williams (D). Juniors — Morgan Pero (A), Madison Druge (D), Allie Bartlett (D), Havailah Arnold (D/M) Michaela Ricker (M) Sophomores — Emily Ricker (M/G), Alice Dwyer (A), Emma Libbey (D), Caitlin Gaudet (A), Bella Lukowitz (A).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Emi Harlow (G), Ceci Spaulding (M), Tayler Simmons (M/D), Paige Blish (D), Greer McCarty (A), Emma Farnsworth (A/M), Makenna Druge (M).
Analysis: The Hurricanes followed winless 2014 and 2015 seasons by making their first playoff appearance in four years and return 12 players. Although the program is 9-88 the past eight seasons, the retention of Wheatley has helped its numbers slowly rise. She previously coached in the town’s youth ranks, and that connection is bearing fruit. Hartford lost six seniors to graduation and has only two on the roster this spring.
Lebanon
Coach: Sara Ecker (23).
Last year: 7-8, lost in quarterfinals.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Senior — Lily Hier (D). Juniors — Elizabeth Jones (G), Cecelia Webber (M), Lexi Roberts (D). Sophomores — Ashlyn Taber (A/M), Katie Berthasavage (M), Emma Hansen (A/M), Clara Cole (A/M), Anna Wolke (D).
Newcomers: Seniors — Hannah Bunten (A), Baleigh Clark (D). Juniors — Erin White (A), Hannah Hastings (A), Josie Hastings (A), Molly Pelletier (M). Sophomores — Zoe Soule (A) Emma Thibodeau (G), Izzy Peress (M), Libby Stone (D). Freshmen — Jessica Hastings (A), Megan Gradigan (A).
Analysis: The loss of standouts Elle Brine, Brenna Peterson and Kendra MacDonald will be keenly felt on the youngest team the Raiders have fielded in years. Brine and MacDonald combined for 147 points last spring and Peterson led the defense, which must now rely on Wolke, Stone and Jones. Berthasavage is the first sophomore co-captain in Ecker’s tenure and shows noticeable promise as a scorer. Taber could be another threat if she’s willing to take the ball into traffic. Lebanon is 49-30 the past five years but may struggle to reach .500 this season with an influx of inexperienced players.
Woodstock
Coach: Amanda Soule (3).
Last year: 11-7, Vermont Division II finalist.
Leagues: Vermont Division II, Marble Valley League.
Returnees: Seniors — Lily Doton (M), Lily D’Anna (M), Miranda Johnson (A), Rosalie Geiger (M), Hannah Milstone (M), Erika Gebhardt (A). Junior — Annabelle Lessard (D).
Newcomers: Seniors — Spruce Bohen (A), Teale Bohen (D), Emma Maiden (D). Junior. — Brittney Poljacik (M). Sophomores — Sidney Pilot (M), Alexa Tsouknakis (A), Gina Sorrentino (A), Freshman — Maggie Parker (G).
Analysis: The Wasps lost nine seniors to graduation after last season, a group that produced back-to-back trips to the state finals and won the 2015 title. That includes goaltender and four-year starter Megan Dalton and Lauren Kaija, who had 70 of the team’s 171 goals a year ago. Abby Kaija, Grace Vosburgh, Kallan Piconi and Nikki Sweeney also departed, taking with them a combined 73 tallies. The team’s roster is smaller but Soule is hopeful that captains Doton, D’Anna and Johnson can keep Woodstock in the playoff hunt. Woodstock is 25-11 the past two seasons after going 4-10 during Soule’s first campaign at the helm.
Tris Wykes can be reached at twykes@vnews.com or 603-727-3227.