H.S. boys' lacrosse / 2025 preview capsules

Following are the 2025 H.S. boys' lacrosse preview capsules: ECC Division I East Lyme Coach: Gary Wight (22nd season) Key returnees: Jr. A Gabe Hanney, Sr. M Jake Correia, Sr. M Jason Stahl, Sr. G Johnny Whewell, Jr. D Evan Bucko, Sr. D Jonny Harms, Sr. M Wade Larson, Sr. D Sebastian Gjergjai, Sr. D Alex Maksim, Jr. M Nate Socha, Sr. LPM Greg Paige, Sr. M Brady Marvin, So. D Colin Dumond, So. M Ryan Dueker, So. M Anthony DiLoreto, So. A Finn Bruno, Jr. G/A Reggie Schwartz. Top newcomers: Sr. D Oliver Hibbard, Sr. M Mike Timpano, Sr. M Albert Anselmo, Jr. M Dustin Correia, Jr. D Jacob Bookmiller, So. M Jackson Lilienthal, Jr. DM Christian Wren, Jr. A Oliver Ginther, Jr. LPM Owen Tapia, So. LPM Aiden Clarke, Jr. LPM Derrick Fedikovich, So. G James McGunnigle, So. LPM Zak Dietz, Fr. M Drew Bookmiller, Fr. M Logan Wallace. Outlook: After graduating a number of players, the Vikings plan to reboot with plenty of depth, experience and talent. Hanney, Bruno, Stahl and Jake Correia will anchor the offense for the defending ECC tournament champions along with many other skillful athletes while Whewell will be directing a deep defensive crew from the cage. Correia was a first team All-ECC pick. Fitch Coach: Scott Freyer (2nd season) Key returnees: Sr. A Roman Rich, Jr. A Gabe Carey, So. FOGO Gabe Pacheco, Jr. M Lawrence Hamel, Jr. A Kai Gordon, So. D TJ Frickman. Top newcomers: So. M Blake Faulkner, Jr. M Dylan Scheffer Sr. M Jarris Mundell, Fr. A Ethan Boardman, So. D Samuel Cabral, So. LSM Cole Sicliano. Outlook: Coming off a record setting-season that saw the Falcons finish 7-1 in the division and reach the second round of the CIAC tournament, they will have a challenge ahead this spring after graduating most of their starting lineup. Freyer is encouraged by the arrival of a talented freshman class, along with several key returning players, led by Rich, an All-ECC selection at attack. Look for Fitch to continue to put up points with a talented offense while it builds its young defense. Norwich Free Academy Coach: Mike Murphy (4th season) Key returnees: Sr. M Wyatt Woodstock, Sr. M Gavin Jenkins, Sr. A Cortlan Beetle, Jr. A Conor Dempsey, Sr. M Jordan Legace, Sr. D Henry Raptis, Jr. A Tristan Laney, Sr. G Patrick Lawson. Top newcomers: Jr. D Ian Redanz, So. M Collin Nadeau, Sr. M Nevan Manley, So. D Matt Manke, Fr. D Remo Iozzia, Jr. A Landon Brady, Sr. D John Dexter. Outlook: There are a lot of new faces that will need to contribute this season. An experienced attack, midfield and goalies will provide some stability. But how the newcomers on defense and midfield complement the system and develop will determine how the team progresses, according to Murphy. Waterford Coach: Paul Deon (5th season) Key returnees: So. M Malachi Hall, Jr. M Alex Bousquet, Jr. A Johan Deon, Jr. M Ben Dubicki, Jr. M Jameson Smith, Jr. G Thomas Tattersall, Jr. A Avery Bonewicz, Jr. M Luke Westcott, Sr. D Carlon Antonelli, Sr. M Rowan Gada, Sr. D Miles Gada, Sr. M Porter Watson, Sr. M Cole Baumgartner, Sr. G Darien Sherwood, Sr. A Ethan Stelik. Top newcomers: Sr. D Tyler Welch, Jr. M Griffin Bergamo, So. M Carter Russ, Jr. M Cam Del Grosso, Jr. D Chris Barrera, Jr. D Dilan Dahl, Jr. M Nolan Gonzalez, Jr. D Dom Munsell, Sr. D Mason Nocery, Sr. M Braeden Wheeler, So. D Davidson Sheppo, So. M CJ Carmody. Outlook: The Lancers look to be competitive in the ECC. The Lancers open their season Monday at Montville. (Woodstock Academy also competes in ECC Division I) Division II Bacon Academy Coach: Brian Martin (12th season) Key returnees: Sr. A Ethan LoVetere, Sr. A Jameson Pirro, Sr. D Zach Carroll, Sr. D Madden Roderick, Sr. M Tanner Kundahl, Jr. A Troy Johnson, Jr. M Talen Ladyga, Jr. M Brayden Ward. Top newcomers: Sr. D Gavin Van Camp, Jr. G Stephen Stabach, Jr. D Colby Hlysyszyn, Jr. M Grayson Mahon, So. M Jake Ashley, So. G Bray Geleney, So. M Ben Salemi, Fr. D Adam Bigelow, Fr. A Jameson Grant. Outlook: The Bobcats return a talented group of seniors, including LoVetere and Carroll, two All-ECC and all-state selections, from a team which won the division and reached the ECC tournament final. With a lot of key contributors on offense, Bacon hopes to continue to build on last season's high-scoring attack. The Bobcats will rely on up-and-coming players who are ready to contribute. Ledyard/Griswold Coach: Mark Chmielewski (5th season) Key returnees: Sr. D Bruce McCullough, Sr. FO/M Cortland Ruggiero, Sr. LSM/D Logan Storz, Sr. A Lucas Wanamaker, Jr. LSM/D Eric Williams, Jr. D Colin Downes, Jr. M Robert Jackson Jr., Jr. FOGO/M James Tweed Jr., So. A Nicholas Favaloro. Top newcomers: Sr. M Dominick Botts, Jr. LSM Keoni Campbell, Jr. G Dylan Chahmirian, Jr. M Matthew Chan, Jr. A Liam Humphrey, Jr. A Michael Power, So. D Brayden Gugliotta. Outlook: The Ledyard/Griswold co-op looks exceptionally promising with a significant number of key returnees, including Williams, an ECC honorable mention selection. The team has a solid foundation built on experience and teamwork. "We step into the season with team chemistry and determination, excited to see what the season has in store for us," Chmielewski said. Montville Coach: Jon Ventresca (2nd season) Key returnees: Sr. M Chris Baukus, Sr. D-M Logan Leonard, Jr. A Kyle Ladia, Jr. D Nick Ladia, Sr. D Austin Gilliland, So. G Matt Trotochaud, Sr. FO Preston Fort. Top newcomers: Jr. A Gavin Bessenaire, So. D Beckett Feulner. Outlook: The Wolves graduated nine of 10 starters, leaving some big holes to fill. They will build around their experienced returning players, such as Baukus, who was an All-ECC selection, as well as newcomers from co-op schools Killingly and Hale-Ray. They hope to position themselves for a state tournament bid and higher finish in the division than last season. St. Bernard/Wheeler Coach: Dave Howes (6th season) Key returnees: Sr. A Benjamin Howes, Sr. A Will Sluggett, Sr. M Mark Sauchuk, Jr. M Jimmy Niles, Jr. LSM Maddox Roan, Sr. D Bode Brenek, Sr. D Ezra Stebbins, Sr. D Elic Lebron, Sr. G Johannes Zachhuber. Top newcomers: So. D Peter Levanto, So. D Luke Noonan, So. M Jack Gouveia, So. M Devlin McCusker, Fr. A Trevor Stringer. Outlook: The Saints, second in the division last year behind Bacon, are anchored by a seasoned group of upperclassmen at all the key positions, including All-ECC selections Howes, Brenek and Roan. Howes hopes to build on the team's successes from last year in both the ECC and state tournaments. Stonington Coach: Conor Doyle (4th season) Key returnees: Sr. D Max Massengale, Sr. D Patrick McGugan, Jr. D Ethan Greene, So. D Byron Stillman, Jr. LSM Jack Goddard, Sr. M Cooper Light, Sr. M Samuel Hine, JR. M Aiden Gillece, Jr. M Logan Christina, So. M Kyle Olsson, Sr. A Maclan Griscom, So. A Josh McBain. Top newcomers: So. G Lucas Jaffan, Jr. D Armando Tourella, So. D Gabriel Tourella, Fr. D Will Sundman, Fr. LSM Gavin Gaus, Fr. M Brodie Scala, So. A Colin Demarco, Fr. A Phillip Horvath, Fr. A Riley Adkins, Fr. A Max Leong, Fr. A Lukas Sullivan. Outlook: Stonington's defense is led by a very strong senior and junior group. Doyle expects the younger offensive players to make a jump this season and be big contributors. The Bears have a lot of first-year players with athletic potential that will keep competition high throughout the season in practices and allow them to be extremely competitive in the ECC and state tournament. Other schools Old Lyme Coach: George Hudson (7th season) Key returnees: Jr. M Ben Goulding, So. M Alex Krol, Jr. D Lucian Tracano, Jr. D Colman Curtiss-Reardon, Sr. M Andrew Sprankle. Top newcomers: Fr. A Judah Waldo, Fr. A Graham Macadam. Outlook: The Wildcats are looking to focus on team growth and take their success from last season and continue that as they try to make a run in the Shoreline Conference and state tournament. Old Lyme graduated Shoreline Conference Offensive Player of the Year Mason Bussmann, an attack, and all-league middie Macklin Cushman, but returns Tracano, who was a first team All-Shoreline pick on defense, a second team pick in Curtiss-Reardon and Goulding was an honorable mention selection. Williams Coach: Mark Fader (6th season) Key returnees: Sr. M Finn McCann, Sr. A Baker Katko, Sr. M/A Marc Macera, Jr. M Henry Champagne, Sr. G Henry Gallagher, Sr. LSM Brian Li, Sr. D Robby Shay, Sr. D Leo Fowler, Jr. M Lance Jastremski, Jr. D Sean Dockery, Sr. A Arnell Peck. Top newcomers: So. A Ethan Perl, So. M Liam Kelly, So. D Harry Chen, Jr. D Connor Gingras, Sr. M Kabir Patidar. Outlook: The Blues have won three straight Housatonic Valley Athletic League titles and will try to add a fourth, anchored by All-NEPSAC Class C Goalie of the Year Henry Gallagher and a strong defense led by Li, Shay and Leo Fowler. Expect plenty of scoring from Katko and Macera at attack and from midfielders McCann, Champagne and Jastremski. New players will be stepping up to fill key roles in every position and the program is highlighted by experienced coaches, great energy and a strong middle school team.