The goals of the Riverside Brookfield High School boys lacrosse team go well beyond its first state playoff victory.
Entering their fourth season as a varsity program, the Bulldogs return all but one starter from their personal-best 11-6 record in 2024 following two four-win seasons. They lost to Lemont 13-6 in their St. Rita Sectional opener.
Junior all-sectional long-stick midfielder/midfielder Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus and 12 seniors lead the charge.
“The boys are excited to build off of last season. They have worked extremely hard during the offseason and are eager to compete,” RBHS coach Joe Urbanski responded. “Team strengths are overall competitiveness, team chemistry, athleticism, speed, and strength.”
Mrozik-DeJesus made an immediate impact in 2024 upon transferring from Fenwick. He also earned All-Upstate Eight Conference honors in football as a receiver.
There’s also a seasoned senior class with Noah Berndt, John Duffy, Finbar Mathews and Gian Ricco as attackers, Rylan Bruno and Thomas Kos (midfield/attack), Vaughn Casey, Angel Salazar, Max Strong and Joshua Yachnin (midfield) and James Faletti and Thomas Kos (defense).
Duffy, Kos and all-state football linebacker Strong have been four-year varsity members. Lupfer, Mathews, Ricco, Yachnin joined varsity as sophomores.
Duffy (Augustana), Lupfer (DePauws) and Faletti (Kalamazoo) plan to play collegiately.
Other juniors are Jacob Jicha and Peter Laube (attack), Charlie Sloan (attack/midfield), Benjamin Buoscio, John Evans, Luke Ferguson, Jacob Retana and Edward Schook (midfield), Oscar Aguirre, Jayden Karas, Warren Mason and Joseph Zimmerman (long-stick midfield/defense), Andres Gasca, Ayden Lumsden and Damian Nieves (defense) and goalie Patrick Galloway, who takes over for graduated four-year starter Alexander Gomez.
“We need to stay healthy and do the little things right. We need to maximize on each offensive possession keep up communication on the defensive end,” Urbanski responded.
LTHS boys lacrosse
With 20 returnees and nine returning starters, including seniors Sean Kultgen, Colin Kultgen and Ryan Gertsmeier, the Lions are optimistic under second-year head coach Charlie Kidder.
They’re 2-0 after beating Lockport 12-6 March 17 and Neuqua Valley 8-7 Saturday.
“Last year, we played a competitive schedule with a ton of young talent. We’re returning most of our core players and coming off a productive offseason,” responded Kidder, a former LTHS player.
“Last season, we learned so much as a team. We have a very communicative group that knows how to adjust when necessary and we have the grit to fight through adversity.”
The 2024 Lions were 10-8 and 1-4 in the West Suburban Conference. They lost three games by one goal, including 8-7 to rival Hinsdale Central in the St. Rita Sectional semifinals.
Defender Sean Kultgen was all-sectional and midfielder Colin Kultgen, Sean’s twin brother, was honorable mention all-sectional. They and defender Gertsmeier earned All-WSC honors.
Sean Kultgen (58 ground balls, 22 caused turnovers) and Gertsmeier (44 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers) were integral to the team’s defensive strength. Colin Kultgen (32 goals, 14 assists) was the team leader in goals.
Five more seniors — attacks Brady Lee and Liam Bruederle, defender Aidan Schell, faceoff/midfielder Devin Wong and midfielder Gavin Carolan — and junior attack/midfielder Tavis Seger also are returning starters.
Key newcomers include starting freshman midfielder Danny Brooks and sophomore Conor Carolan, who was injured in the opener. Other team members are seniors Kellin Bourjaily, Harrison Burke, Brody Collins, Roman Fay, Nicholas Marino, Darren Peterson, Brock Radtke, Tommy Rokicki and Nathan Fisher, juniors Henry Gale, Xaedon Giannotti-Frye, Max Hartford, Jonas Magpayo, Jack McKerr, Nathan McMullen, Aidan Possley, Quinn Conniff, Lawson Krueger, Charlie Nederhouser and Ian Guerrero, sophomores Michael Aylesworth, Joey Newcomb and Charlie Remus and freshman Caleb Strnic.
“Our athleticism from top to bottom makes us a threat against any opponent,” Kidder responded.
“This group is defined by an experienced defensive core and selfless offensive unit. Expect a fast pace of play in every facet of the game.”
