2024 girls' lacrosse / 2024 preview capsules

ECCDivision IEast LymeCoach: Phil Schneider (14th year)Key returnees: Sr. A Lily Poletto; Sr. M Riddhi Venkatesh; Sr. M Penelope Lawlor; Jr. A Gianna DiLoreto; Jr. M Jessica Knapp.Top newcomers: Soph. A Callan Keefe; Jr. M Shea Killoy; Soph. D Ani Mazzulli; Jr. G Brielle Rheaume.Outlook: The Vikings must replace 10 starters from last season's Class M runner-up, including captains Kaitlyn DiLoreto, Abbie Belleville and Meg Nagle along with The Day's All-Area Player of the Year Dani Bruno. Schneider said the Vikings will rely on the senior leadership of captains Poletto and Venkatesh as well as the experience of Lawlor and Knapp "to bring the other young and talented players along." East Lyme moves up to Class L this season and plays defending Class M Guilford as well as Staples, Greenwich and perennial central Massachusetts power Longmeadow.FitchCoach: Tatum Lakowsky (1st year)Key returnees: Sr. A Izzy Asciolla; Sr. A Charlotte Driscoll; Sr. A Sophie Kollar; Sr. A Lauren Podurgiel; Sr. A Riley Harrington; Sr. D Sammi Knauer; Sr. D Abbie Corbeil; Sr. D Grace Moriarty; Jr. M/D Karli Batty; Sr. M Brooke Bergendahl; Sr. M Stella Connell; Sr. M Jessica Helal 12; Sr. G Elaina Brookhart.Top newcomers: Soph. A Bethany Lovering; Sr. M Gabby Dimock; Jr. A Emma Goodwin; Soph. M Maggie Giulini.Outlook: Lakowsky takes over a team that went 2-14 last season with a motto, "Be better together." There are several seniors who provide plenty of experience. "Our team consists of many upperclassmen and as long as we focus on playing better together, we should have a successful season. The team is very focused and driven to do better. I am excited to see how far this team can go."NFACoach: Eric Page (18th season)Key returnees: Sr. M Alice Rourke; Sr. M Alex Tabilas; Sr. G Sophia Smith; Jr. A Molly Page; Jr. D Leah Burchman; Jr. M Hayleigh Young; Jr. D Hailey Iozzi.Top newcomers: Soph. A Maeve Combies; Soph. A/D McKenzie Connell; Jr. D Emily Ye.Outlook: Page enters his 18th season with the Wildcats, liking his returning group in an competitive ECC division. "We have a strong core of skilled players and exceptional athletes that will compete in every contest," he said, "but as always, depth will be our challenge."Note: Woodstock Academy also competes in Division I.Division IIBacon AcademyCoach: TJ Morelli-Wolfe (2nd year)Key returnees: Sr. G Kayla Hall; Jr. A Cate Grasso; Jr. A Isha Kansagara; Jr. D Alexia Rodriguez; Soph. D Kiley Filoramo.Top newcomers: Sr. D Sophie Billings; Soph. M Lanie McIlduff; Fr. M Brooke Burchfield; Fr. A Dempsey Russell; Fr. M Lily Pinkleton; Soph. M Addison Partridge; Fr. A Madison McMillan; Fr. D Chelsea Pirro; Fr. M Darareaksmey Dishar.Outlook: Bacon Academy, entering a cooperative with East Hampton this season, graduated nine seniors and enters 2024 with five returning players. Morelli-Wolfe: "Facing a very competitive ECC Division II schedule, Bacon is in a rebuilding year," he said. "Thankfully we're able to co-op with East Hampton, which hasn't had a girls' lacrosse program, but like Bacon, has promising players."LedyardCoach: Tinita Larman (2nd season)Key returnees: Sr. M/A Maddie McLeod, Sr. A Helena Robinson, Sr. A Delaney Gortner, Jr. D Jessica Dudley, Jr. G Lorelai England, Jr. D Baileigh Johnson, So. A Mackenzie Boyer, So. M/A Tatianna Irizarry, So. D Tara McGrath, So. M/D Tianna Winkelman.Top newcomers: Jr. G Genesis Colon, Fr. D Rylee Hope, Fr. D Emma Sonia Henry Ortiz, Fr. M/A Kaitlyn Sweeney, Fr. D Dior Vasquez.Outlook: The Colonels bring back experience at virtually every position, including a first team Class M all-state pick in McLeod. Larmann, who was with the program as an assistant for more than a decade before taking over as head coach, is excited to see how a talented freshman class will help to fill some key losses in the midfield and on defense as Ledyard transitions from ECC Division III to Division II. Said Larmann: "The team has really connected early this season and hopes to be competitive in both their new ECC division and in the state tournament."MontvilleCoach: Nicole Santos (4th season)Key returnees: Soph. M Anna Bubucis; Soph. M Bella Estelle; Sioph. M Karissa Hochdorfer; Jr. G Katelyn Koning; Soph. A Kylie Spreng; Jr. D Sabria Wynn; Sr. D Paige Terris.Top newcomers: Fr. Mars Rapillo; Soph. Charlotte Kampfer; Sr. Savannah Vichas; Soph. Emma Terris.Outlook: Graduation claimed Lily Tomczik (midfield, D-II Lee University), Reagan Buscetto (midfield/attack University of St Joseph's) and Madi St John (defense, Nichols College). This prompted Santos to say, "It feels like we have a whole new team." All-ECC goalie Koning returns to what Santos calls "a young, athletic, energetic team that will work hard to remain competitive in the ECC."StoningtonCoach: Jeff Medeiros (23rd year)Key returnees: Jr. A Emma Logel; Jr. M Shay Burnside.Top newcomers: Soph. M Abby Mayorga; Soph. M Gianna Terranova; Jr. M Lily Bellet.Outlook: Logel and Burnside have plenty of experience from successful teams. Medeiros: "After losing three ECC all stars, including two all-state players to private schools, once again we're set to rebuild. It's tough to replace high producing players but it's becoming the norm these days. It'll take time to see how it will all fit together but that's part of the challenge."WaterfordCoach: Taylor Shannon (1st year)Key returnees: Sr. G Emerson Bunnell; Sr. M Madison LaForte; Sr. M Payton Smith; Jr. A Katie Jamroga; Jr. G Clara Mahoney; Jr. A Quinn Brigham; Jr. M Victoria Sturm.Top newcomers: Jr. D Brianna McNeil; Jr. D Sophia Scarpa; Soph. D Audrey Steward; Soph. M Sadie Tiven; Soph. M Adyson Wiseman.Outlook: Shannon, who led NFA girls' soccer to an ECC title last fall is back at her alma mater to take over the program. "The Lancers are looking to have a competitive season in their division," Shannon said, "and are hopeful to make a run in the state tournament."Division IIIGriswold/Norwich TechCoach: Scott Caron (1st year)Key returnees: Jr. D Ella Brown, Jr. M Sienna Caron; Sr. D Kianna Ego; Jr. G Alexis Emanuele; Sr. M Keira Fleming; Sr. A Neiara Myrick; Jr. A Kaylin Stockwell.Top newcomers: Fr. M Amelia Hawkins; Fr. A Tessa Marchand.Outlook: Caron is excited about his program for many reasons, not the least of which is an experienced team. "We are returning most of our core players," he said, "and we'll play on our new turf field, which we are all very excited about. We are also welcoming some talented new players, looking forward to building on last season's successes, and growing as a team once again."New LondonCoach: Chelsea Grillo (2nd season)Key returnees: Sr. M Keshvi Patel; Sr. M Malahika Paulo; Jr. M Raelyn Lopez; Soph. D Tatiana Henry; Soph. D Christine Forestal (Sophomore/Defense).Top newcomers: Fr. D Cali Hines; Fr. D Marieli Delacruz.Outlook: Grillo continues to build the program both at New London High and within the city. "We have a young team this year, with half of our girls new to lacrosse," she said. "But we have a lot of enthusiasm and I'm excited to see our team's growth this season."WheelerCoach: Amy White (2nd season)Key returnees: Sr. D/M Ellen Anderson; Sr. M/A Naomi Boord; Sr. A Stella Mastroianni; Sr. M/A Katelyn Pierce; Sr. D Sophia Sellins; Sr. A/D Rose Tardiff; Jr. G Anna Barber; Jr. A Grace Cassata; Jr. M/A Katheryn DelGrosso; Jr. M Sophia Gouveia; Soph. A Muryn Mason; Soph. A Ava Vangieri.Top newcomers: Soph. A/D Hadley Jones; Soph. D Zoe Conway; Fr. D/M Morgan Riley; Fr. D/A Maya Dessaules; Fr. A Sarah DelGrosso; Fr. A Ingrid Anderson; Fr. A Paiten Kenny.Outlook: The Lions lost the majority of their defense from last season, but White is excited about the experience of the midfield and attack as well as the "significant potential" from the newcomers. "The goal this year is to make it to the Class S state tournament again and work hard to win the ECC division," White said.Note: Killingly and St. Bernard also compete in Division IIIOthersOld LymeCoach: Emily Macione (11th year)Key returnees: Sr. M Alexis Antonellis; Sr. M Sydney Goulding; Sr. M Ella Curtiss Reardon; Jr. D Bella Ziegler; Jr. D Kaela Hoss; Jr. D Kanon Oharu.Top newcomers: Sr. G Avra Montazella.Outlook: Macione on the season: "Combining the experience of many of our veteran players with the high energy of the newcomers," she said, "we hope to make a run at our conference title and impact the state tournament as well."WilliamsCoach: Tom Hinsch (5th year)Key returnees: Soph. A Ally Iacobellis; Sr. M Skylar Frost; Sr. A Jaidyn Cote; Sr. D Mickayla Marcus; Sr. D/A Katelyn Harvey; Sr. M Maria Morant; Jr. A Julia Cote; Jr. A Skylar Raymond; Jr. D Sophia Guinan; Jr. D Marlee Anselmi; Fr. M/A Sara Harvey; Jr. D Alex Leake; Jr. D Natalie Boissevain; Jr. A Annabel McKillop.Top newcomers: Jr. M Brook McLoughlin; Soph. A Madelyn Tousignant; Fr. G Chloe Crimmins; Fr. M/A Elle Reid; Fr. A Annie GingrasOutlook: The Blues lost four starters, including NEPSAC Player of the Year Lacy Fader, leaving Hinsch to say, "this year's team will utilize a much more balanced attack with many players contributing." But there are 36 players out for the team, 13 with varsity experience. "The Blues season is going to be exciting," Hinsch said.