Masuk Boys Lacrosse Looks to Flip Record this Spring

Inexperience held back the Masuk High boys lacrosse team in 2010, but the season of learning on the field looks to propel the Panthers back into the postseason this spring.

Masuk coach Jeff Seymour was a little disappointed that his young team didn't qualify for the state or SouthWest Conference (SWC) tournaments last year and has set high goals for his returning players.

“We had a really young team last year and a lot of sophomores played and even some freshman played,” Seymour said. “It was a really young team and it was a challenge because there was a steep learning curve for some of these kids.

“We were 6-10 last year and, at a minimum, I'd like to reverse that this year if not do better.”

Leading the turnaround for the Panthers will be senior captains Connor Ryan and Connor Halloran.

Seymour said his captains will be critical players on the field and important role models for young players. Ryan is a tenacious midfielder who covers the whole field. Halloran showed some impressive play at the attack last season and is expected to be a main offensive weapon for Masuk this spring.

The defense will be anchored by junior Andrew Stebben and sophomore Brandon Charney.

The third defensive spot is still being worked out, but Seymour envisions seeing junior Fairfield Prep transfer David Novitzky get some playing time after his nine-game hold is complete. Protecting the cage will be sophomore Colin Roberts, but Seymour expects junior Fairfield Prep transfer Kyle Matthews to challenge Roberts for the starting spot once Matthews completes his nine-game hold.

Ryan heads a developing midfield that features athletically gifted junior Shawn Flynn and junior defensive convert Dean Accomondo.

“Flynn is a very good midfielder,” Seymour said. “He's very fast, smart and does anything we ask him to do and does it well. Dean Accomondo played defense last year, but I will play him at midfield because he's turned into quite the scoring machine at our scrimmages.”

Seymour believes his team's attack will be its strong suit.

Halloran (36 goals, 14 assists in 2010) leads a seasoned group of attackmen, including juniors Ryan Brown (25 goals, five assists in 2010) and Adam Rainey (11 goals, four assists in 2010) and sophomore Frank Bacarella (two goals, three assists in 2010).

“I think we are lucky on offense because we are a little deep there, which is good because we can work different combination and go with the hot hand when we have to,” Seymour said.

With a year of varsity experience under their belts and players taking the initiative to play in the offseason, Seymour believes his team poised to make a huge leap this spring.

“Offensively, I think we are stronger and overall the kids have more experience,” he said. “They are bigger, more mature and their stick handling has improved. More of our players are playing all year long on other club teams, so they have gained a lot of experience over the last 12 months and I think that is going to be reflected in how they play.”