Boys' Lacrosse Update
NEIRAD enilno editionThis year’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team looks to improve on last year’s record with a deep senior class as well as strong junior and sophomore classes. With senior captains Brian Gleason, George Benitez, Andrew West, Connor Sullivan, and Robbie Winter, the lacrosse team looks forward to a successful season, which will hopefully end with FCIAC and State (Class M) Champions.
“There will be a lot of competition for playing time and starting roles because of the depth in this year’s squad,” Coach Jeff Brameier said. Regarding his squad this year, Coach Brameier added, “The team is very solid in all positions this year.”
Senior captain Andrew West is considered the top goalie in the state and will be an essential part to the team’s success. The Cornell bound goalie agreed with the high depth and competition this year, but also added, “Winning both the FCIAC’s and the States will be tough, but it’s definitely an achievable goal,” West said.
Defensively, the team looks solid with a lot of depth and looks for key contributions from seniors George Benitez, Connor Sullivan, and Justin Miller as well as juniors Eric Parnon, Justin Shaw, Baylis Treen, Christian Kolderup, and Justin Coley.
Sophomore Tony Britton is also expected to get quality playing time this year on defense. “There is no doubt that defensively we have the speed and physicality to keep up with any team we face,” said senior captain and Stony Brook University-bound George Benitez.
Midfield is no different from the defensemen and is also very deep with seniors. Contributions are expected to come from seniors Bryan Annecchino, Bobby Nolan, Alden Frelinghuysen and Wyatt Keith. Juniors Graham Maybell, JP Walsh, Richard Gregory, and Brandon Coley, as well as sophomores Henry West, Bobby Weaver, and Jon Magnusson will all compete for playing time and the starting spots this year.
Seniors Brian Gleason, Robbie Winter and Mike Foresta; as well as juniors Ben Preston, Alex Brown, and sophomore Case Matheis (who started varsity as a freshman last year) look to get solid playing time this spring and be a key component to the team’s success. Matheis said, “I think our team has a very good chance of winning states and FCIAC’s this year, as well as a chance of going undefeated.”
Last year’s time had an overall record of 18-5 last year with a 12-4 (FCIAC 12-1) regular season showing. They were FCIAC runner-ups and won the Class M State Tournament over FCIAC foe Wilton. Coach Brameier said that he definitely wants to improve on last year’s record, which had the worst winning percentage since 2001. Brameier’s goals besides improving his record are to win FCIAC’s and States for the sixth year in a row. There are a few quality freshmen that may come into the varsity picture this year, but because of the depth of the other three classes, it will be tough for freshmen to break into the varsity ranks. Although every game is important with FCIAC and state implications, this year’s biggest task is to defeat Conestoga (Pennsylvania) who is currently ranked 7th in the nation.
All the players mentioned as well as anyone involved in the Darien High School Lacrosse program hopes that the strong senior class can lead the experienced team to FCIAC & State champions this season.
