Boys Lacrosse Season Preview

Our goal is to be better than we were the year before.

Undefeated in PAC-10 (16-0). A 20-4 overall record. A PAC-10 Championship, fighting all the way to the district quarterfinals.

"It was definitely a successful year," said eighth-year head coach Kevin Donnelly of his 2011 boys lacrosse squad.

Donnelly also hones credit for the opening quote. But, it will certainly be a big feat to be better than the 2011 campaign. Especially with the credibility that was earned by beating a tough Garnet Valley team in the district playoffs.

"That was a big one," Donnelly said. "That did a lot for our program in terms of overall credibility throughout this region, if not the state. They were the second in the Central League, which is a big deal. That was big and that sent shockwaves throughout the hub."

And, with 22 athletes leaving the program to graduation, the Rams go from experienced in 2011 to young, very quickly, in 2012.

Impact players gone from this year's roster include Brian Bock (Lafayette), Drew Thomas (York), Matt Glowacki (Ursinus, football), and Bjorn Ullmann to name a few. All-in-all, though, the Rams have six seniors on the squad, and two in particular that are making an impact through the first five games.

"We have some guys who were waiting to return," Donnelly said. "Zach Monzo and Paul Major. Zach had 43 goals and 15 assists or so. Paul had over 70 goals and probably 25 assists."

Junior Ian Hare, who also stars on the football team's defense, is the long stick. He's committed to Townson. Major committed to Delaware around the same time, as well.

DJ Young is having a really good year, according to Donnelly.

"Not necessarily statistically speaking, but up and down the field as a middie, he's doing very well," Donnelly said.

Justin Kelly is returning to midfield and has been great with face offs and also putting a couple in the back of the net so far, Donnelly said.

Supplementing the six seniors is a team of 22 juniors and 22 sophomores. Among the promising youngsters are Alec Orcutt and Mason Romano. Romano also shined on the football team on defense, and as a wrestler in the winter.

Owen J. Roberts has been a rival of the Rams over the past five years, with heated PAC-10 battles. A 14-10 win over the Wildcats on Monday night gave Donnelly his 100th win with the program. The Rams are now 4-1, with two games left this week.

Donnelly credited his defensive coordinator Kevin Czapor, who's been with the squad for six years and "doing awesome." Czapor, according to Donnelly, is a motivator among all else.

The boys will also participate in the HEADstrong Rivalry Games on Saturday against Perkiomen Valley.

"We're selling t-shirts that will go toward blood cancer research," Donnelly concluded. "It's good to get the kids involved in fundraising events like that."

Spring-Ford Boys Lacrosse 2012 Schedule

• 3/23 - @ Lower Merion (W, 11-8)
• 3/26 - @ Pope John Paul II (W, 14-3)
• 3/28 - vs. Phoenixville (W, 16-2)
• 3/30 - vs. Avon Grove (L, 7-9)
• 4/2 - vs. Owen J. Roberts (W, 14-10)
• 4/4 - @ Pottsgrove (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/7 - vs. Perkiomen Valley in HEADstrong Rivalry Games (5:30 p.m.; @ Widener University)
• 4/11 - vs. Perkiomen Valley (4:15 p.m.)
• 4/13 - @ Methacton (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/16 - @ Boyertown (6:00 p.m.)
• 4/18 - @ Phoenixville (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/19 - @ Hatboro-Horsham (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/21 - vs. Pope John Paul II (11:45 a.m.)
• 4/23 - @ Owen J. Roberts (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/25 - vs. Pottsgrove (5:30 p.m.)
• 4/27 - @ Perkiomen Valley (5:00 p.m.)
• 4/30 - vs. Great Valley (5:30 p.m.)
• 5/1 - vs. Methacton (5:30 p.m.)
• 5/3 - vs. Boyertown (5:30 p.m.)