Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media 2021 Boys Lacrosse Season Preview
The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media area boys lacrosse teams are resuming play after a one-season COVID-19 hiatus but the same high standards of play never left.
La Salle enters competition in 2021 as the defending PIAA-3A champ and the Explorers should again contend with the state’s best under head coach Rob Forster.
Lansdale Catholic will try to make some noise in the Philadelphia Catholic League under coach Mark Princehorn, who led Souderton to a 14-win campaign in 2019. The Crusaders return All-PCL second team goalie Connor Flanegan and junior Connor Mann, who paced LC in goals two years ago.
“Our main goal is to be playing our best lacrosse in May,” Princehorn said. “We are very excited and thankful to be back out playing again.”
Central Bucks West claimed the Suburban One League National Conference title in 2019 and the Bucks have no intention of relinquishing the top spot.
“Staying healthy and quickly building chemistry will be key factors in the team’s success this year,” West coach Matt Coverdale said.
North Penn in its last time in action took second in the National alongside Central Bucks East. The Knights are a young side in 2021 but are out for a return to the District 1-3A tournament, having reached the second round in its last trip.
Souderton, which also made the district second round in 2019, moves over to the National from the American Conference with the Indians having the rebuild their attack.
“After having graduated a great deal of offensive firepower from the 2020 squad, the Indians will have to find their identity on the offensive end of the field this year,” Souderton coach Mark Cornes said. “Returning junior Jamison McDivitt and transfer senior Kobi Bui will anchor the attack while younger leadership at the midfield will need to take shape. A large number of freshman [players] will also step in and contribute this season, so the future of Souderton Lacrosse looks bright.”
Pennridge is another SOL National side that reached the District 1-3A second round two years ago. Upper Dublin has won two straight SOL American titles but in 2019 the Cardinals split the championship with both Wissahickon and Springfield-Montco.
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Brian Santoleri.
League: Philadelphia Catholic League
2019 Record: 13-9.
Key Losses: Zane Walsh, Andy Borkowski, Dom Burke, Ryan Hoffman, Max Ritter, Sean Meals, Chris Long.
Top Returners: Garrett Ewing (Sr., Attack), Colin Woodward (Sr., Defense), Billy Beggs (Jr., Defense), David Ebersole (Jr., Midfield), Malachi Hansen (Sr., Midfield), Daniel Harvey (So., Attack), Spenser Skowronek (Jr., Goalkeeper).
Others to Watch: Evan Petrecz (So., Attack), Henry Pierce (Fr., Midfield), Caleb Carter (Sr., Defense), Matt Evans (Sr., Attack), Brandon Conway (Jr., Defense), Joseph Wood (Fr., Midfield).
Outlook: “The Patriots defense is the most experienced group led by defenders Colin Woodward and Billy Beggs and junior goalkeeper Spenser Skowronek,” Santoleri said. “Our offense has a lot of new faces that need time to gel before conference play begins. Attackman Garrett Ewing will be a difference maker on the attack along with a young group of talented players like David Ebersole, Daniel Harvey, Malachi Hansen, and Henry Pierce.
“Leadership, daily improvement, experience, and faceoffs will be the keys for success for the Carroll Patriots boys lacrosse team in 2021. We are excited to get back on the field after a year off and be able to play a full season! We look forward to big games against our rivals in the PCL and local Central League teams this season.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Coach: Jared Mayes (seventh season).
League: Philadelphia Catholic League
2019 Record: 7-10 (6-5 PCL).
Key Losses: Alex Angermeier, Kevin Bresnan, David daCosta, Jim Dougherty, Dylan Huegel, Sean Nangle, Dan Waltrich, Bryson Wilson.
Top Returners: Dan Divita (Sr., Attack), Anthony Pileggi (Sr., Midfield), Tyler Traae (Jr., Faceoff).
Others to Watch: Nick Citrigno (Jr., Attack), Matt Dombrowski (Jr., Goalkeeper), Tim Newman (Jr., Defense), Jackson Foley (So., Defense).
Outlook: “New team leaders this season will get the opportunity to show what they can do,” Mayes said. “We have a lot of skill and talent, so our focus is to work hard and play together as a team. We’ll be competitive in the Catholic League and will be working for post-season play in May. Of course our highest priority is to remain healthy for the entire season.”
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Coach: Matt Coverdale (17th season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Season: 15-5 (9-0 SOL National), lost to Downingtown East in District 1-3A fifth place semifinals.
Key Losses: Max Dunar (Gwynedd Mercy), TJ Kelly (Arcadia), Jake Lang, David Ross, Ben Shelly, Peter Santacecilia.
Top Returners: Jeff Wosnam (Sr., Midfield), Connor Albrecht (Sr., Attack), Cam Wassmann (Jr., Defense).
Others to Watch: Cole Graeff (Sr., Midfield), Austin Hahn (So., Midfield), Matt Jacobsen (Fr., Midfield), Brayden Albrecht (Jr., Attack), Zach Martine (Jr., Midfield), Reese Dalzell (Jr., Defense), Billy Trimbur (So., Defense).
Outlook: “The Bucks are looking to be among the top contenders in the SOL National once again in 2021,” Coverdale said. “Heavy graduations in 2019 and 2020 have left a smaller roster for the 2021 squad. We’ll be leaning on the few seniors and key returning juniors for leadership but also counting on big contributions from some of our underclassmen at all phases of the game.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC
Coach: Mark Princehorn (first season).
League: Philadelphia Catholic League.
2019 Record: 9-10.
Key Losses: Evan Hannings, Kevin Gianoni, Bryce U’Selis.
Top Returners: Connor Flanegan (Sr., Goalkeeper), Colin Corbett (Jr., Midfield), Connor Mann (Jr., Attack/Midfield), Jake Lesher (Jr., LSM/Defense).
Others to Watch: Liam Hannon (Sr., Defense), Mikey Kleinert (Jr., Attack), Pat Cooney (Jr., Midfield), Pete DiPalma (Sr., Midfield).
Outlook: “Changes in team culture, work ethic, discipline and dedication have prepared this group for all the challenges that the 2021 season has to offer,” Princehorn said. “We are incredibly proud of how the team has bought into the new vision of the program.”
NORTH PENN
Coach: Rick Smith (11th season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Record: 12-8 (7-2 SOL National), lost to Garnet Valley in District 1-3A second round.
Players to Watch: Dakari Luby (Sr.), Ben Sanfelice (Sr.), Jake Henrysen (Sr.), Ryan McCann (Sr.), Danny Sloan (Jr.), Lars Homan (Jr.), William Morrow (Jr.), Danny Myers (Jr.), Matt Kuhn (Jr.), Connor Flynn (Jr.), Ethan Bland (So.).
Outlook: “With only four seniors on the roster, the 2021 Knights are young and have a good balance of athletes,” Smith said. “Everyone in our program has been working extremely hard to get back on the field. We want to take full advantage of being allowed to play lacrosse again.”
PENNRIDGE
Coach: JP Banks (sixth season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Record: 11-8 (5-4 SOL National), lost to Conestoga in District 1-3A second round.
Key Losses: Jack Garnet, Austin Swartley.
Top Returners: Chris Fanelli (Sr., Attack), Connor Frisch (Sr., Defense), Tom Hart (Sr., Midfield), Jake Stranix (Sr., Midfield), Jack Lenox (Sr., Attack), Nate McMahon (Sr., Defense), Tyler Richardson (Sr., Midfield), Matt Fleish (Sr., Midfield), Sean Gereaghty (Sr., Goalkeeper).
Others to Watch: Luke Luenox (Jr., Midfield), Kieran Banks (Jr., Goalkeeper), Drew Ferguson (So., Midfield), Ryan Carickhoff (Fr., Attack), Frankie Fanelli (Fr., Midfield).
Outlook: “The Pennridge Boys Lacrosse team is grateful to be back and looking forward to competing in the always tough Suburban One National Conference,” Banks said. “After a year off the boys are looking forward to building on the past successes of our program and we look forward to playing our best lacrosse come may.”
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Matthew Bildstein (second season).
League: Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Key Losses: Michael Knapp, Luken Cisick.
Top Returners: Kameryn Herpich-Hershaw (Sr., Defense), Ambrose Collouri (Sr., Attack), Justin Kormos (Sr., LSM), Ben Cobaugh (Sr., Defense), Luke Sykes (Jr., Midfield), Eric Zadroga (So., Midfield/Attack), Daniel Maine (Sr., Goalkeeper).
Others to Watch: Connor Gucwa (So., Attack), Shane Flynn (So., Attack/Midfield), Ethan O’Pake (Sr., Defense), Christopher Bruder (Sr., Defense).
Outlook: “We’ve got a hungry group excited for the opportunity to compete this spring,” Bildstein said. “The kids have really shown up with a focus everyday ready to get better and ready to finally get back on the field after the covid shutdown last spring. Strengths this year will be the experience of our Defense in Kameryn Herpich-Hershaw, Ben Cobaugh and LSM Justin Kormos. Ambrose Collouri and Luke Sykes have varsity experience, and have stepped with great leadership roles this offseason.
“Expecting big contributions out of sophomores Connor Gucwa, Eric Zadroga and Shane Flynn with limited experience as freshman due to only practicing for a week or so last spring. Our expectation is to compete to the best of our abilities no matter whom the opponent is.”
SOUDERTON
Coach: Mark Cornes (second season).
League: SOL National Conference.
2019 Season: 14-6 (6-3 SOL American), lost to Avon Grove in District 1-3A second round.
Key Losses: Stephen Blue, Matt Rauch, Luke Halteman, Hayden Grice, Brock Azeff, Ryan Hopkins.
Top Returners: Manny Puente (Sr., LSM), Tommy Goshow (Sr., Defense), Lance Pelych (Sr., Defense), Jamison McDivitt (Jr., Attack), Justin Wawrzynek (Sr., Midfield), Luke Wawrzynek (Sr., Faceoff/Midfield).
Others to Watch: Kobi Bui (Sr., Attack), Sean Brown (Jr., Goalkeeper), Dylan Reinford (Jr., Midfield), Nick Curotto (Jr., Defense), Tyson Bui (So., Midfield), Sean Landis (Fr., Midfield).
Outlook: “The Souderton Indians are grateful to be able to play the 2021 season and look forward to facing strong local competition once again in the reorganized Suburban One League,” Cornes said. “They return almost their entire defense and expectations are high for a great group of seniors backed by junior goalkeeper (Sean) Brown. In addition to a strong defense of returning starters the Indians return one of the league’s best faceoff men in Luke Wawrzynek and highly recruited long pole midfielder Manny Puente who will look to finish their senior seasons strong.”
