Boys Lacrosse Returns With Plenty of Experience

The day after the boys lacrosse team won the Div. 3 state championship last year, Jim LaSelva called to wish the Wildcats coach congratulations.

LaSelva, the coach, didn’t end the conversation there. He asked if his squad could play the top Div. 3 team the following season.

On Monday, the Generals will travel to open the season against the defending champions. That game will kick off what LaSelva hopes is a rigorous schedule that will go a long way in helping his team prepare for a successful run in the playoffs.

“We strive to be the best and to try to be a high-level Div. 3 program like we want, we need to play the best (teams),” LaSelva said.

“Opening with Weston, there might be some trepidation … but if we play well and smart we’ll be in the game.”

Of course the Generals will have to have the best squad on the field in order to make playing them worthwhile. And LaSelva just may have that.

His team is experienced with 12 seniors and many players from successful programs in the school like football and cross country. He also feels he has plenty of “athletes” which will go a long way.

“We have a lot of guys with good experience and used to playing in big games,” LaSelva said. “After two weeks (of practice) I feel we are in the right place and the team is clicking.”

Coming back from last’s 12-6 squad - which but then in the playoffs - are a pair of Cape Ann League player of the year candidates in senior midfielder Elliot Burr and defenseman Jake Stokes, also a senior. Add in junior attack Eddie Frick and Hamilton-Wenham has stars on all three levels on the field.

“(Frick) can absolutely rip (his shot) and he has a knack of getting the ball in the net,” said LaSelva. “Between him and Elliot I think they will be fighting for the lead in scoring and assists. But my goal is for Elliot to have more assists than goals. When (Elliot) carries the  he ball gets a lot attention and that will leave (teammates) open. If he’s getting assists that means we are scoring.”

Joining Stokes - who will be taking his shut-down skills to Saint Anselm in the fall - on the back line is Matt Vogus, who saw plenty of time off the bench last season.

The pair will be joined by a familiar face, though they may not recognize it as it has been hidden behind the goalie’s mask the past few years. Senior Luke Drieze will be the long pole defenseman, moving up from the netminder spot.

LaSelva explained that Drieze took one for the team when it was thin in goalies in his freshman year, even though it was not his ideal position. Now as a senior he told the coach he felt there was a better option coming up the ranks. With Nick Vogus and Jim Brao graduating there was definitely a need on the D-line.

That leaves Grant Thompson, a sophomore, to be the last line of defense for the Generals. LaSelva said he may hit some bumps along the way, but he is extremely coachable and willing to learn. The experience of Stokes, Vogus and Drieze will certainly ease any jitters he may encounter.

Pushing the defense as the most experienced line on the team is the midfield. Matt Putur, a returning starter, and fellow seniors Charlie Serpa and Cody Cohan will join Burr - who is hoping to play Div. 1 lacrosse - on the line.

Stokes, Burr, Cohan and Serpa are co-captains.

LaSelva feels seniors Christian Valletti, who will line up next to Frick on attack, long pole defenseman Mike Spearing and Paul Kim, on defense, as well as sophomores Matt Curran, Brian Shaw and Christian Ecker will see plenty of time on the field.

“I think we will have some uncertainty but with so many athletes sprinkled throughout every position there’s a very good feeling on the team,” LaSelva said. “From my standpoint I think this can be a very good team.”

The Generals coaching staff also touts experience as offensive coordinator Dan Hayden and JV coach Nick Ristaino return. This year two volunteers will assists: Nate Madders, Hamilton-Wenham class of 2006, and Jay Scuteri, class of ’07.