Pre-season Hopes for Crusaders Teams

GIRLS LACROSSE

Head coach: Gary Kraemer (1st year).

Record last year: 12-11

Key Losses: Erika Eipp, Rachael Silveria, Haley Pollard

Captains: Lauren Kraemer (12), Emma Ordemann (12)

\Offensive players: Lauren Kraemer, Livy Penney (11), Nicki Wilkinson (11), Emily Riposa (11),Sarah Walsh (9), Olivia Aumais (9), Maddy Smethurst (9), Nikki Buhler (9)

Midfield: Emma Ordemann, Olivia Rubeski (11), Fiona Henry (10), Rachael Gamester (11), Rebecca Herlihy (11).

Defense: Shelly Herlihy (11), Katie Judge (12), Sam Porter (11), Vanessa Song (12), Caroline Stark (12),

Katie O'Brien (10).

Goal: Maria Antonellis (9).

Managers: Nicole Georges, Elysa Briggs.

Key players for GD: Lauren Kraemer has excellent speed, power shot, strong stick skills and ball control. League All-Star, 1st team Sun, 2nd team Worcester Telegram. Will play at Susquehanna College next year. The quarterback at midfield is Emma Ordemann. She controls play in the middle and is a heady experienced player. Nicki Wilkinson started as a freshmen, has outstanding speed and high level lax skills. Caroline Stark is a solid experienced defender, tenacious worker, anticipates well.

Players pushing for more playing time: The five freshmen will see plenty of time, including Antonellis who will start in goal.

Concerns:  "Difficult schedule," said Kraemer. "We play in Midland A Division, Algonquin, Shrewsbury, Westford Academy to name a few."  We're young and physically, not a big team.

Team goals: "Making districts; win a couple games against power house teams in Midland A. Play our best every game, respect the game and hopefully have a positive experience."

BOYS LACROSSE

Head Coach: Rick Arena (8th year)

Record last year: 8-10

Key Losses: Mike Kerwin, Hayden Lynch, Maxx Kowalik, Kyle McCullough

Captains: Matt Manning (12), Ryan Dawson (12), Quintin Forbes (11), Tristan Lynch (11)

Returning starters, defense

Ryan Dawson - brings solid defense, size, physicality.  

AJ Dufrense (11) - knows system, a leader; a consistent, solid defensemen. Matt Kiessling (12) - pleasant surprise this spring, understands his role, big plus is his versatility. Myles Markham (11) - best stick of all defenders, good thrower, excellent speed.

Returning starters, offense

Quintin Forbes - explosive scorer, most points last year, sees field well, creative offense player.

Matt Manning - returning captain, does it all, scores, defends, heart of the team!

Zach Cotoni (10) - solid, experienced player with solid stick skills, great attitude, coachable.

Returning lettermen

Midfield-Mack Eberhardt, (11) - skilled, expecting to bring success/confidence in football to lacrosse. Austin Hourani (11) - steady, goal scorer, high lax IQ, excellent speed.

Tristan Lynch - Leads by example, worked hard in off-season, aggressive, intense player. Alex Mann (12) - pleasant surprise, dependable, picks up schemes quickly.

Attack - Willy Stewart (12), good skills, looking to contribute.

Promising newcomers:

Attack-Justin Cole (11), big expectations, brings toughness, versatile, back-up goalie; Ryan Dodge (9), Jeremy Gering (12), Nick Irby (9)

Midfield: Ryan Doody (11), Ryan Heinser (10), Shane Dawson (9)

Defense: Danny Howes (9)

Goalie:  PJ Kendall (10), learning position, gaining confidence with each game, solid effort against Algonquin.

Strengths: Very encouraged with effort and attitude in first two games; very talented front line. (Manning, Forbes, Hourani).  

Concerns: Lack of depth/experience; schedule.

Team goals: Compete for districts/prepare for tournament; learn and improve with each game.

BASEBALL

Head Coach: Matt LeBlanc (8th year)

Record last year: 6-14 (8 one run losses)

Assistant coaches: Todd Lynch, Dave Melpignano, Keith Woods

Managers: Nate Bellerose, Brendan Hunter

Key Losses: Ryan Sheehan, Ryan Vultaggio, John Flanagan

Captains: Adam Kmetz, Mike Keating

Infield: Alex Dhionis (11) - 1B, P. Experienced, third year on varsity, big, physical, will carry the pitching load, good curve, excellent hitter.

Mike Keating (12) - C,1B, 3B. Leader, experience, winning attitude, will bat third. Mike Ierardi (12) - 2B. Solid hitter, varsity experience, hard worker with a great attitude.

Aidan Ward (9), Jacob Barnes (9) 3B. Competing to start. Ward is explosive, speed, strong hitter, has the skills. Barnes has been a pleasant surprise, versatile, can catch, pitch, 3B. Adam Kmetz (12) - SS. Leadership, respected by peers, speed, will bat lead-off, great attitude, makes good contact at the plate; is critical to team's success. He gets it! Ben Butler (10) - Corner infielder, 1B,3B: size, good hands, size, good knowledge of the game.

Pat Stevens (12) - middle infielder, solid backup

Outfield: Dan Roper (12) - CF. Understand situations, smart, capable, high baseball IQ.

Josh Acaba (12) - OF, P. Southpaw, versatile, good offensive player,

Alec Ierardi (12) - OF. Good hitter, leader, positive, high energy.

Alex Marken (11) - OF, DH. Good hitter, will help

Nick D'Angelo (11) - Up from JV, good spring, looking to push for playing time.

Andrew Sinnery (11) - OF, P. Southpaw, in the rotation, mixes speed capably, control pitcher, heady. Brad Zadrozny (12) - OF, DH. Speed, toughness, superior attitude, will play! Dan Tomany (12) - OF, 1B. Contact hitter, will play! Allan Haynes (12) - C, 3B, DH. Good size, impressive pre-season.

Brady McEvoy (12) - P. wonderful attitude, control pitcher with a good curve. Dean McCann  (11) - C, 2B, multi-talented athlete.

Strengths: "We have depth, especially in the outfield," said LeBlanc. "This group has a never quit attitude, spearheaded by a group of hard-working seniors, good character athletes. We should be strong both offensively and defensively."

Concerns: With a compacted schedule because of the late start this season, depth in pitching may become an issue.  

Goals: To be competitive; win league title; have a positive experience; respect and enjoy the game.