March 27, 2008 06:07 am BOYS LACROSSE Merrimack Valley Conference OVERVIEW: Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Andover, but the Golden Warriors matured quickly and advanced to the Division 1 East semifinals. Now, with that year's experience, they're poised to battle Billerica for top spot in the MVC Division 1. Billerica has a strong nucleus back from a squad that went 18-3 and also lost in the East semis. In Division 2 of the MVC, a wide-open race looks imminent with defending champion Lowell (16-6 last year) expecting challenges from Central Catholic and a rejuvenated Haverhill team led by new coach Bryan Brazill. Following are how the divisions are divided. MVC 1 — Andover, Chelmsford, Billerica MVC 2 — Haverhill, Lowell, Central, Tewksbury Andover 2007 record: 16-5, lost Division 1 East semifinals Returning starters (6): Nick Reeder, Sr., goalie; Peter Hanson, Sr., midfield; Brendan Hughes, Sr., midfield; Matt Rayner, Sr., defense; Joe Lamagna, Jr., attack; Tripp Stevens, Sr., defense Returning lettermen: Sam Cook, Sr., midfield; Gavin Lynch, Sr., midfield; Jon Booth, Sr., midfield; Gavin McIver, Jr., midfield; Kevin Drew, Sr., defense; Andrew Federico, Sr., defense; Eric Simpson, Sr., defense; Justin Malins, Sr., attack; C.J. Shea, Sr., attack; Matt Eriksen, Jr., attack Newcomers: Mike Pierce, Sr., midfield; Zach Kutchin, Sr., defense; John Fiorentino, Soph., attack; Matt Murray, Jr., defense; Tom McQuillan, Jr., midfield; Josh Torres, Jr., midfield; Nick Binder, Jr., defense; Matt Newton, Jr., midfield; Jake Mattison, Jr., midfield; Christian Benedix, Jr., attack; Vinnie Christiano, Jr., defense; Jake Gostanian, Jr., goalie; Matt Newman, Jr., goalie; Andrew Carroll, Jr., midfield Candidates in all grades: 105 Captains: Kevin Drew, Peter Hanson, Brendan Hughes, Matt Rayner Returning leaders: Brendan Hughes 53-33—86; Peter Hanson 34-21—55; Justin Malins 30-7—37; Nick Reeder, 115 saves Returning honorees: Brendan Hughes, All-Scholastic, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Peter Hanson, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Matt Rayner, Eagle-Tribune All-Star Assistants: Leo Lafond, Matt James, Bobby Grant, JV; Doug Chernovetz, Frosh. Opener: Hosts Newton South March 27 Odds and ends: Andover returns its top three scorers from last year. ... Matt Rayner was a 2006 and 2007 Eagle-Tribune All-Star in football as a receiver. ... Andover advanced to the Division 1 East semis for first time in the eight-year history of program. ... Football star Mike Pierce, who played baseball last year, is giving lacrosse a try for the first time. ... Zach Kutchin, who played as a freshman, returns to the program after taking two years off. ... Junior Cam Smith, who separated his shoulder playing ice hockey, is unable to play this year, so he is serving as a team manager. Coach Wayne Puglisi (9th year, 96-52 ): "We have a strong returning group from a team that made it to the (Division 1 East) semifinals, so we're feeling pretty good about the season. We have the scorers and Nick Reeder is looking good in goal. ... This team has more depth than last year." Central Catholic 2007 record: 9-10, lost Division 2 East preliminaries Returning starters (8): Patrick Helfrich, Sr., midfield; Chris Noyes, Sr., midfield; Preston Carmichael, Sr., midfield; Rob Caulk, Sr., midfield; Shain Jowett, Jr., midfield; Corey Hamilton, Sr., defense; Mike Tavares, Sr., defense; Eric Josephs, Jr., midfield Returning lettermen: Alex Landry, Sr., midfield; Josh Clark, Sr., defense; Matt LaFrance, Jr., defense; Joe McCarthy, Sr., attack; Nick Mann, Jr., attack Newcomers: Chris George, Soph., attack; Conor Murphy, Soph., attack; Andrew Ouellette, Soph., midfield; Patrick Rooney, Soph., midfield; Walter Gillis, Jr., goalie; Matt Smith, Jr., defense Candidates in all grades: 65 Captains: Preston Carmichael, Patrick Helfrich, Corey Hamilton, Chris Noyes Returning leaders: Patrick Helfrich 14-11—25; Chris Noyes 10-12—22; Shain Jowett 11-6—17 Returning honorees: Chris Noyes, Corey Hamilton MVC All-Stars Assistants: Aram Jeknavorian; Vinnie Helfrich, volunteer assistant Opener: at Acton-Boxboro Saturday Odds and ends: Central graduated its top three scorers ... Vinnie Helfrich, who was on the team last year, is helping out as a volunteer assistant. ... Head coach Matthew Velasquez will coach both the JV and varsity teams. ... Walter Gillis, who was a defenseman until late last year, will start in goal and has been impressive in the preseason. ... Of 60 players still in the program, only 12 have never played lacrosse — a much lower percentage than in previous years. ... Sophomores Conor Murphy and Andrew Ouellette have opened eyes in the preseason. ... The Raiders have upgraded their regular-season schedule in order to better prepare for the tournament. Coach Matthew Velasquez (4th year, 24-32): "We lost our top three attack guys, but I don't think we'll have a problem scoring goals. Last year, we were attack heavy, but we will have more balance this year and I think we'll have a better season because of it. We have some midfielders with a lot of experience, and very skilled, who should step up. Our biggest strength will be on defense with (Josh) Clark, (Corey) Hamilton and (Matt) LaFrance. They work very well together."
Haverhill 2007 record: 11-8, lost Division 1 East preliminaries Returning starters (8): Cody Skinner, Sr., goalie; Tom Murray, Sr., attack; Nick Vazquez, Jr., attack; Joe Natale, Jr., attack; Kevin Woodman, Sr., midfield; Ryan Gauthier, Jr., midfield; Kyle Burke, Jr., defense; Troy Warcewicz, Sr., midfield Returning lettermen: Tim Fitts, Sr., defense; Dan Ferrachi, Sr., midfield Newcomers: Casey Sweeney, Frosh., attack; Parker Laamare, Soph., goalie; Kyle Sullivan, Soph., defense; Alex Aguirre, Jr., defense; Evan Pare, Jr., midfield; Tyler Nauffts, Soph., midfield Candidates in all grades: 41 Captains: Joe Natale, Nick Vazquez, Kyle Burke Returning leaders: Nick Vazquez 25-7—32; Tom Murray 11-6—17; Joe Natale 9-7—16 Returning honorees: Nick Vazquez, MVC All-Star Assistants: Jay White, Pete Smyth; Gavin Evans, JV Opener: at Central Catholic April 4 Odds and ends: New coach Bryan Brazill is a former Merrimack College standout (Class of 2005) and assistant coach who owns and operates Home Grown Lacrosse in North Andover. He takes over for Chris Laganas, who had a 37-38 record in four years. ... Returning goalie Cody Skinner broke his thumb on the first day of practice and will miss the first game. Capable sophomore Parker Laamare will fill in. ... Haverhill looked promising in a 7-5 scrimmage loss to powerful Acton-Boxboro. ... Nick Vazquez leads the returnees with 25 goals as a sophomore, but Brazill believes he'll get better balance this year. He is expecting big years from midfielders Kevin Woodman and Ryan Gauthier. ... Brian Ward, who shined as a freshman, has transferred to Governor's Academy. Coach Bryan Brazill (1st year): "I don't want to make any predictions, but I think we have a strong returning class, with a lot of talent. I think we'll be OK on offense and defense. My only real concern is with lack of numbers — our depth. I've got some unbelievable workers."
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