Even with numerous graduations from last year’s sectional finalist, senior midfield/attack Sean Cherry and his Lyons Township High School boys lacrosse team have started just as well.
The Lions are 5-1 under new coach Charlie Kidder, a 2017 LTHS graduate who played four seasons and was second-team all-state as a senior and graduated as the Lions’ then all-time points leader.
They achieved their second one-goal victory, 9-8, over visiting Wheaton Warrenville South Thursday, on Cherry’s overtime goal.
“We just won a hard-fought game and it seemed to really boost our confidence. We know that we can hang with every team on our schedule,” Cherry said.
“The strength is really our team chemistry. We all play to each other’s strengths and know what one another is capable of. It allows everyone to excel in whatever position they’re playing.”
LTHS also has beaten Waubonsie Valley 9-5, Batavia 12-0, Schaumburg 5-4 and Lockport 6-3 in the March 12 opener and only lost to defending state champion Wheaton Academy 19-2, March 14. The Warriors also defeated the Lions 17-2 in the 2023 Lyons Township Sectional finals.
“Last season’s success was achieved through a culture of hard work and repetition. This culture has persisted and it has made it easy to break into the new year,” Kidder said.
“Our team’s strengths lie in lacrosse experience and discipline. We have a deep roster and a selfless team that knows how to stick to the plan.”
Last season’s Lions were 17-5 (1-4 in West Suburban Conference) and achieved their program’s 300th overall victory.
Cherry was second-team All-WSC in 2023 and will play at Elmhurst University.
Senior defender Jack Campbell (defense), junior defenders Ryan Gertsmeier and Aidan Schell, junior twins Colin Kultgen (midfield) and Sean Kultgen (defense) and sophomore midfielder Tavis Seger also are returning starters.
Other returning letter winners are senior goalie Jackson Haffling, senior attack Luke Martin, senior midfielders Kevin Larmon, Charlie McKerr and Connor O’Malley, junior midfielder Gavin Carolan and sophomore midfielder Mike Aylesworth.
Key newcomers include attackers Brady Lee and Liam Bruederlee, midfielder Devin Wong and goalie Nick Marino.
“Our main objective offensively is to take care of the ball and play as a cohesive unit. Defensively, our keys to success will lie in communication and execution,” Kidder responded.
“The offense has consisted of a well-balanced scoring attack amongst all six starters (McKerr, Seger, Cherry, Colin Kultgen, Martin and Lee). The defense has been stout and proved to be a very athletic group. Each game we have seen an improvement in the little things, ground balls, clearing, turnovers. We hope to ride this momentum into the second half of our season.”
RBHS boys lacrosse
With just one senior, the Bulldogs already equaled last season’s victory total Saturday.
They improved to 4-2 by beating Taft 11-1 with earlier victories over Hoffman Estates 9-5, Brother Rice 13-3 and St. Laurence 12-0 while losing to Marmion 11-6 in the March 14 opener and St. Francis 5-3 Thursday.
Alexander “Bubba” Gomez is a four-year starting goalie and the lone senior.
Junior Max Strong (19 ground balls) is in his third varsity season.
Junior Ben Lupfer (12 goals, 2 assists), sophomore Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus (10 goals, 19 ground balls), juniors Gian Ricco (8 goals), John Duffy (6 goals, 2 assists) and Finbar Mathews (6 goals) and sophomore Jacob Rentana (6 goals, assist) are the Bulldogs’ leading scorers. Juniors Thomas Kos and Joshua Yachnin also are varsity returnees.
The 2023 Bulldogs were 4-13, losing to St. Charles East 18-5 in their Lyons Township Sectional opener.
