The boys’ Lancaster Area Lacrosse League season is in full swing. Here’s Jason Guarente’s season preview:
Cocalico
COACH: Frank Tobias.
2007 RECORD: 15-5.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Matt Oberly, Greg Shattuck, Chris Janiszewski, Corey Artz.
KEY RETURNEES: Alex Showalter, MF; Derek Kasten, MF; Garrett Bansner, MF; Bryan Tobias, D; Brennen Donahue, D; Sam Roseboro, D; Aiden Soroko, AT; D.J. Kohl, AT.
OUTLOOK: With a solid core of players at every position, Cocalico’s goal is to improve on last year’s strong showing and advance deeper into the playoffs.
Conestoga Valley
COACH: Patrick Sasse.
2007 RECORD: 12-11.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Zack Macey, Trey Keeley, Ben Landis, Andrew Barnett, Dave Enterline, Chris Keating.
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Tyler Gerz, MF (68 goals, 34 assists); Jay Branch, AT (59, 22). Juniors: Mitch Litten, D; Cameron Tough, AT; David Landis, D.
OUTLOOK: Gerz and Branch give CV plenty of returning offense, but the key to the Buckskins’ success will be the development of younger players.
Elizabethtown
COACH: Matt Reesor.
2007 RECORD: 1-12.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: None reported.
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Ben Gotwalt, LSM; Phil Roeder, MF; Matt Frye, AT; Chris Klinger, D; Keith Kurtz, G. Juniors: Randy Groff, MF; James Bard, D. Sophomores: Ganan Keck, MF; David Latimore, MF; Phil Greider, D.
OUTLOOK: In his first season as coach, Reesor hopes to bring more discipline and a positive attitude to the team. E-town believes it can improve on last season’s record.
Ephrata
COACH: Mike Ream.
2007 RECORD: 9-11.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Jake Harley, Brandon Rook, Jeff Bohler, Kyle Schillaci.
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Brennan Harding MF (14 goals, 10 assists). Sophomores: Phil Hess, MF; Blain Yates, MF; Tyler Ulrich, MF; Brody Myers, D; Chad Royer, D; Ryan Groff, G.
OUTLOOK: Ephrata is built around youth with only two seniors and many key players being sophomores. The Mounts will look for players to make the jump from the JV level in order to stay competitive with most of the league.
Hempfield
COACH: Doug Bailey.
2007 RECORD: 18-6 (lost in semifinals of District 3 playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Kyle Piper, Brett Moore, Brandon Lehr, Kevin Ramer, Adam Weaver, James Durkin, Brian Davidson, Eric Bailey.
KEY RETURNEES: Mason Risner, AT (19 goals, 3 assists); Austin Kline, MF (13, 11); Michael Landau, MF (12 goals); Tripp Horn, MF; Justin Fuhrman, MF; Adam Carl, LSM; Noah Achor, D; Alex Frederick, D; Jason Dougherty, D; Charlie Pease, G; Rob Kreider, G; Brett Babin, MF
OUTLOOK: Although Hempfield lost a ton of scoring from last season’s team — including 91 goals from Piper and Davidson — the Knights still have a lot of potential.
Lampeter-Strasburg
COACH: Joe Frank.
2007 RECORD: 14-8.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Matt Miller, Nick Schmidt, Chad Thompson
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Adam Shoemaker, AT (43 goals, 10 assists); Connor Griffith, MF (40, 9); Ben Frank, AT (22, 20); Brett Graeff (23, 9). Juniors: Adam Steller, AT (20, 7); Josh Ladson, MF; Griff Galante, MF; Elliot Frost, MF; Seth Rolko, D; Kent Wenger, D; Eric Denlinger, D; Tyler Collins, G.
OUTLOOK: After making the league playoffs last year, the Pioneers have higher expectations under their first-year coach. L-S is loaded with returning talent and senior leadership.
Manheim Township
COACH: Rich Lefever.
2007 RECORD: 26-1 (L-L League, District 3 champion).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Tim Stratton, John DuBois, Jay Ridinger, Dave Stock, Brian Brown, Pat Carrigan.
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Chris Zielinski, MF (61 goals, 20 assists); C.J. Adams, MF; Preston Ketchum, D; Chris Gorham, G. Juniors: Dan Wertz, MF (37, 17); Nick Baron, AT (29, 19); Nick Sizemore, MF; Matt Forney, D. Sophomore: Austin Schultz, D.
OUTLOOK: Although Township lost some elite talent from last season’s team, it still has Zielinski — an all-district performer. If the young players progress, the Blue Streaks hope to stay in contention.
Penn Manor
COACH: Chris Snyder.
2007 RECORD: 10-9.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Jason Trump, Mack Handel, Matt Martin, Josh Tucker.
KEY RETURNEES: Seniors: Kier Blevins, AT; Derek Putt, D; Kyle Rubell, MF; Jeff Foster, MF; Drew Giberson, AT; Steve Tomasfzski, D; Tyler Klugh, D. Juniors: Chris Reinhart, MF; Mark Rintz, MF; Mike Curtain, MF; Max Shover, D; Ian Boyd, D. Sophomores: Mike Cotich, AT; Nick Reaney.
OUTLOOK: Despite losing a lot of all-star talent, Penn Manor hopes to use its improved defense to compete for a top-four spot in the league.
Warwick
COACH: Edgar Lobley.
2007 RECORD: 19-6 .
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Tyler Galbreath, Bryan Fund, Brodie Gleason, Matt Himmelberger. Seniors: Ian Lewis, AT (69 goals, 59 assists); Tyler Harris, MF (22, 15); Ken Martin, MF; Max Hoffman, AT. Juniors: Hank Bushong, MF; Ethan Scheffey, D; Kyle Sproles, MF; Eric Resch, MF.
OUTLOOK: Warwick has enough talent back to achieve the goal that eluded the Warriors last season — the league championship.
