Boys Lacrosse Preview: With returning champs, Central League daunting again

In Monday’s paper, we previewed the task being undertaken at Radnor to build on last year’s PIAA Championship, as well as highlighting five players to watch in the county. Here’s a look at the rest of the Central League:

Competition in the Central League isn’t a novel phenomenon, and it’s hardly idle chatter when coaches offer preseason assessments about the league’s strength and depth being as prevalent as ever.

Consider that last year, the title was split between Garnet Valley and Penncrest. Neither survived the District One tournament (won by Springfield) to qualify for the PIAA tournament (won by Radnor), which featured a fifth Central League squad, Conestoga. That elite oligarchy won’t abate this season.

Springfield loses its biggest attacking piece, three-time All-Delco Lucas Spence. But the spine of the team remains intact. As always the Cougars will be a bear to score against, with long-stick midfielder Zac Methlie, defender Pat Smyth and goalie James Spence all back.

Sophomore Kyle long will orchestrate the offense from midfield, while Mike Gerzabek (44 goals last year) assumes Lucas Spence’s role as primary sniper. Mike Vent and Joey DeBernardi will occupy larger roles.

Co-champs Penncrest looks different this season thanks to a wealth of experience on the defensive end. The backline of Ryan Granger, Ryan Schultz and Zack Kaut that contributed to the state championship in 2014 is back for one more go-round in front of goalie Steve Nolan. Zach Granger is capable of contributing defensively, while Zach Groses’s defensive aptitude in midfield is also notable.

That base is fortuitous given the losses in attack, though the cupboard is hardly bare. All-Delco Ryan Kinnard (46 goals, 23 assists) and leading scorer Alex Bonnett (56, 23) will fuel the offense, Kinnard providing two-way play in midfield. But identifying the secondary scorers could take time. Sophomores Matt Gress and Max Daugherty and junior Jack Kirchoff will get chances. Midfielders like Joe Quintiliano, Tom Parson, Quin McIntyre and Jon Batipps could also bolster the attacking numbers.

Garnet Valley is geared for another title run, and they’ve got the weapons at both ends of the field. The attacking axis of Jacob Buttemore, Denny Nealon and All-Delco Matt Moore return, as does much of last year’s balanced scoring core. Among that contingent are midfielders Evan Trizonis, Ryan Manbeck and Tim Bradley and attackmen Tyler Moschella and Danny Ferreri.

The defense is anchored by three-year starter Michael Bonaddio in net. Defenders Dillon Smart, Kyle Davis and Joseph DiAntonio provide veteran hands.

Ridley won 13 games last season, and many of the attacking components that fueled that success linger. Just juniors, Brock Anderson and Cade Stratton run the offense, while Joe Minnick, Eric Magro and Devin Tavani all contributed last season.

Defensively, Brendan Risley inherits the goaltending responsibility. The defensive core of Chris Durning, Seamus Boyle and Liam Wright bring solidity to that unit.

Ridley’s challenge lies in reassembling a midfield that incurred most of last season’s departures. Seniors Kevin and Justin Monaghan will log major minutes, as will junior Behn Worley and FOGO Cade Heverly.

Haverford qualified for the District One tournament, and the veteran cast hopes to replicate that result.

Bob McClure, who tallied 80 points last year, is one of the league’s leading attacking lights. He’ll have help from Kevin Kaufman, Cole Lukasiewicz and Jack Daly, the latter two sophomores.

The Fords’ area of strength is midfield, led by faceoff man Luke McCallion. Billy Farrell, Nick DiIorio, Joe Bergan, Mike Hand and LSM Jack Farrell will contribute significantly, while sophomore Alex McKendry and freshman Eric McCallion could demand minutes on the second and third lines.

Seniors Mike Romanofsky and Austin McDevitt anchor the defense alongside junior Mike Dice. In goal, Danny Tierney and Noah Melfe comprise an intriguing platoon.

Strath Haven isn’t to be taken lightly after making the postseason last year at 8-10. Most of that team is back, including its top three scorers in Jack Borbee (40 goals), Jake Ross (30 goals, 24 assists) and Sam Mutz (29 goals). Midfielders Jeffrey Conner, Will Bozentka and Will Huestis return, while junior Hunter Mazur assumes sole control at the faceoff X.

At the other end of the field, senior Anders Camp is the stalwart, with defensive mates Michael Scott, Joe Healy and LSM Noah Frantz helping protect the cage in front of goalie Will Brake. Youngsters Ryan Morris, A.J. Santisi, Nolan Rau and Zack Irons could contribute defensively, while Chris Rosini and Tyler Fink will find offensive opportunities.

After returning to the District One tournament last season, Marple Newtown has a new coach in former Downingtown West, West Chester East and Rustin skipper Tommy Hannum, who returns for a second stint at Marple. He inherits a strong spine from Mike Miller’s squad that includes contributors at every level, though it’s hampered by an injury to senior defenseman Steve Viola.

Tyler Kostack returns from an injury. He, Christian Xitas and Alex Viola are the principle offensive weapons. Jake Long, Anthony Patrone and Gino DiCamillo will also contribute in that area.

Noah Turner will marshal the defense in front of new starting goalie Eric Carrigan.

Joe Niagara’s first campaign at Upper Darby was a winless one, but last year’s travails exposed players to valuable experience. Niagara is optimistic about four freshmen who could play right from the outset.

Two of the Royals’ captains, seniors Ibrahim Ballan and Warren Chambliss, anchor the defense. The third captain, midfielder Patrick Lynch, acquitted himself well last season. Junior attackmen Jake Robinson and Sean Burke are penciled in to start, while that class also produces LSM James O’Hara.

Sam Collings and Jeff Schrey will flesh out the midfield. Sophomore Pat Burke will get minutes in attack, and sophomore goalie Vince McGinnis got acclimated to high school lacrosse last season.