Re: ISL Lacrosse
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:13 am
The final group, listed alphabetically
The "Contenders" Division: Definitely a cut above the rest. Tradition, committed players, athletic rosters, and strong coaching; these four teams possess all four traits.
Belmont Hill
2018 Record: 13-2 ISL (13-3 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Avon Old Farms, Deerfield
Key Losses: All America Goalie, 2 All-ISL Attack, All-ISL Defenseman, HM All-ISL LSM/Def.
Key Returners:
Cam Rubin, Jr, Attack (Penn commit, 40g/20a, #95 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings, HM All-ISL) Crafty lefty and lone returner on an attack unit that graduated two 3-year starters.
Brodie Rayment, Sr. Midfield (Amherst, 21g/23a. HM All-ISL, All ISL RB in football.) Terrific do it all middie who is a legit All America candidate. A real steal for a DIII program.
Joe Goguen, Sr. A/M (Villanova, 19g, 18a. HM All-ISL). Big lefty that has primarily been a middie for BH, but plays attack in club. Also a strong hockey player with some clear carryover from the ice into how he plays lacrosse.
Blake Brookes, Jr. Def (Hopkins commit. #46 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings) A physical specimen that has all the tools. This could be the season he becomes a dominant presence.
Quinn Richards, Jr. Goalie (Air Force commit) First year starter, but has performed well for LXC Black for years.
Midfield is probably the strongest in the ISL as literally everyone with a significant role is back from last season including a very potent first line. There is talent at attack and defensively, but with some new faces both units will need to find cohesion. Goalie is new but quite strong. As always this will be an athletic, fast, and deep team. BH continues to have the ISL's best farm system, with the JV, third, and fourth teams going a combined 39-4 last year. So there will be no shortage of hungry, varsity-caliber players competing for the final few roster spots.
Govs
2018 Record: 14-1 ISL (15-2 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Hill Academy, Avon Old Farms, Exeter
Key Losses: All America Attackman, All-ISL Attackman, All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Goalie.
Key Returners:
Jack Wood, Sr. Attack (Brown, 21g, 28a. HM All-ISL). Only returning starter at attack. Dual handed. Looks comfortable dodging from anywhere on the field.
Shane O'Leary, Jr. Midfield (Umass commit, 7g, 2a. All-ISL QB in football) A fantastic athlete who thrives in all phases and is primed for a breakout season.
Nathan Laliberte, Jr. Midfield/Fogo (Bryant commit, #11 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings, All-ISL) One of the top FOGOs in the country. He should give a possession advantage to one of the league's top offenses in every game.
Luke Moriarty, Sr. Defense (Princeton, All-ISL, All-ISL DB in football). Fleet footed with the ability to put the ball on the ground, pick it up, and push transition.
Tim Roberts, Sr. Defense (UVM, All-ISL) A physical player who opposing attackmen will have marks from playing against for a few days after the game.
Govs re-asserted themselves in a major way last season after a few years out of title contention. There's a lot returning, with 10 seniors committed to D1 or strong D3 schools. Attack won't be at quite the level it was last season, but midfield and the longsticks are very strong, and the FOGO should give them a real advantage. Govs have really benefitted recently from some strong NH and MA public players transferring in (sometimes re-classing) after their soph or junior seasons, and that has helped them build what looks like the deepest team in the league this year.
Rivers
2018 Record: 10-5 ISL (13-6 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Loomis Chaffee, New Hampton, Brewster, Andover
Key Losses: All-ISL Attack, All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Attack, 18-goal scoring middie
Key Returners:
Chris Bucking, Sr. Att/Mid (Skidmore, 9g/13a. All-ISL WR in football)
Sometimes kids just have big senior years. After getting all league in football, Bucking seems like he could be one of them on an attack unit that needs to replace its top two scorers.
Tommy Miller, Jr. Midfield (Villanova commit, 29g/4a. HM All-ISL) A smooth dodger who can light it up with both hands. Will be the main scoring threat from a potent and deep midfield.
Johnny Kanataros, Sr. LSM (Middlebury, 9g, All-ISL. Also a strong hockey player he might be playing both sports at Midd) Can play pressure defense, is strong on GBs and transition, a scoring threat, and can even face off. Part of a very athletic LSM tandem.
Charlie Peck, Sr. Defense (Lehigh) Won't make a ton of "wow" plays, but does everything at a high level, and is very strong off ball with slides and disrupting passes.
Ryan Rahbany, Jr. Def (HM All-ISL) Another highly rated hockey player that moves well. At 6'3" he's rangy, relentless, and looks like absolutely no fun to play against.
Despite being consistently in the top tier for the past 15 years, Rivers' lone ISL title was in 2009. But the Red Wings look like legit contenders this year as they graduated a small senior class in 2018 and the junior and senior classes both have talent, depth, and experience. The midfield has multiple scoring options, there's a stable full of lockdown longsticks, and an All-ISL returns in net. The attack has to replace two starters and needs time to jell, but as usual the Red Wings have that favorable league schedule and won't face any of the ISL's real iron until the end of April. They should look pretty formidable by then.
St. Sebastian's
2018 Record: 13-2 ISL (17-3 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Andover, Malvern Prep, Conestoga, New Hampton
Key Losses: All-ISL Goalie, All-ISL Defenseman, All-ISL Middie, 2 HM All-ISL Middies, Top FOGO, Top SSDM, 40-goal scoring Attackman
Key Returners:
Brian Piatelli, Sr. Attack (Cornell, 23g, 55a, HM All-ISL) A little undersized, but a gifted feeder and QB/point guard of the offense. If he can play at or near the level his brother did two years ago, the Arrows will be in good hands.
Michael Swirbalus, Sr. Att/Mid (Duke, 41g/22a. Ranked #39 in the class of 2019, HM All-ISL) Explosive and creative lefty playmaker. Will be interesting to see if he stays at attack or moves back to midfield like 2017.
Will Frisoli, Sr. LSM/Def (Duke, All-ISL 2017 & 18 - honorable mention 2016. All ISL DB in football. Ranked #6 in the class of 2019 by Inside Lacrosse) A high motor combined with a fantastic mix of balance, speed, and agility allows him to be aggressive against even the best offensive players. The best defender in the ISL, and possibly the best player in all of New England - public or private.
Peter Blake, Sr. Defense (Penn, HM ALL-ISL. HM All-ISL LB in football) A lefty who plays physically up top or down low and has a full repertoire of takeaways. Having him as a #2 pole behind is a huge luxury for the Arrows.
Mac Fotiades, Sr. Goalie (Michigan, HM All-ISL in 2017) Finally gets the starting gig to himself in his fifth varsity season. A vocal presence with great outlet passes.
The Arrows have graduated two very large and talented classes back to back. There are some elite seniors, but many of the juniors and sophomores haven't had much opportunity to prove themselves at the varsity level yet. Longsticks and goalie look legit, and Seb's will always have an athletic roster, but roles on offense including scoring options 3-6 need to emerge. The program has really upped its visibility over the past few years through scheduling, social media/content, and an energetic young coach who hopefully sticks around for awhile. Has a pipeline been established so that the talent level of the classes of 2017, 2018, 2019 becomes the norm, or do the Arrows begin to ebb back a bit starting this season?
The "Contenders" Division: Definitely a cut above the rest. Tradition, committed players, athletic rosters, and strong coaching; these four teams possess all four traits.
Belmont Hill
2018 Record: 13-2 ISL (13-3 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Avon Old Farms, Deerfield
Key Losses: All America Goalie, 2 All-ISL Attack, All-ISL Defenseman, HM All-ISL LSM/Def.
Key Returners:
Cam Rubin, Jr, Attack (Penn commit, 40g/20a, #95 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings, HM All-ISL) Crafty lefty and lone returner on an attack unit that graduated two 3-year starters.
Brodie Rayment, Sr. Midfield (Amherst, 21g/23a. HM All-ISL, All ISL RB in football.) Terrific do it all middie who is a legit All America candidate. A real steal for a DIII program.
Joe Goguen, Sr. A/M (Villanova, 19g, 18a. HM All-ISL). Big lefty that has primarily been a middie for BH, but plays attack in club. Also a strong hockey player with some clear carryover from the ice into how he plays lacrosse.
Blake Brookes, Jr. Def (Hopkins commit. #46 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings) A physical specimen that has all the tools. This could be the season he becomes a dominant presence.
Quinn Richards, Jr. Goalie (Air Force commit) First year starter, but has performed well for LXC Black for years.
Midfield is probably the strongest in the ISL as literally everyone with a significant role is back from last season including a very potent first line. There is talent at attack and defensively, but with some new faces both units will need to find cohesion. Goalie is new but quite strong. As always this will be an athletic, fast, and deep team. BH continues to have the ISL's best farm system, with the JV, third, and fourth teams going a combined 39-4 last year. So there will be no shortage of hungry, varsity-caliber players competing for the final few roster spots.
Govs
2018 Record: 14-1 ISL (15-2 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Hill Academy, Avon Old Farms, Exeter
Key Losses: All America Attackman, All-ISL Attackman, All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Goalie.
Key Returners:
Jack Wood, Sr. Attack (Brown, 21g, 28a. HM All-ISL). Only returning starter at attack. Dual handed. Looks comfortable dodging from anywhere on the field.
Shane O'Leary, Jr. Midfield (Umass commit, 7g, 2a. All-ISL QB in football) A fantastic athlete who thrives in all phases and is primed for a breakout season.
Nathan Laliberte, Jr. Midfield/Fogo (Bryant commit, #11 in Inside Lacrosse's class of 2020 rankings, All-ISL) One of the top FOGOs in the country. He should give a possession advantage to one of the league's top offenses in every game.
Luke Moriarty, Sr. Defense (Princeton, All-ISL, All-ISL DB in football). Fleet footed with the ability to put the ball on the ground, pick it up, and push transition.
Tim Roberts, Sr. Defense (UVM, All-ISL) A physical player who opposing attackmen will have marks from playing against for a few days after the game.
Govs re-asserted themselves in a major way last season after a few years out of title contention. There's a lot returning, with 10 seniors committed to D1 or strong D3 schools. Attack won't be at quite the level it was last season, but midfield and the longsticks are very strong, and the FOGO should give them a real advantage. Govs have really benefitted recently from some strong NH and MA public players transferring in (sometimes re-classing) after their soph or junior seasons, and that has helped them build what looks like the deepest team in the league this year.
Rivers
2018 Record: 10-5 ISL (13-6 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Loomis Chaffee, New Hampton, Brewster, Andover
Key Losses: All-ISL Attack, All-ISL Middie, HM All-ISL Attack, 18-goal scoring middie
Key Returners:
Chris Bucking, Sr. Att/Mid (Skidmore, 9g/13a. All-ISL WR in football)
Sometimes kids just have big senior years. After getting all league in football, Bucking seems like he could be one of them on an attack unit that needs to replace its top two scorers.
Tommy Miller, Jr. Midfield (Villanova commit, 29g/4a. HM All-ISL) A smooth dodger who can light it up with both hands. Will be the main scoring threat from a potent and deep midfield.
Johnny Kanataros, Sr. LSM (Middlebury, 9g, All-ISL. Also a strong hockey player he might be playing both sports at Midd) Can play pressure defense, is strong on GBs and transition, a scoring threat, and can even face off. Part of a very athletic LSM tandem.
Charlie Peck, Sr. Defense (Lehigh) Won't make a ton of "wow" plays, but does everything at a high level, and is very strong off ball with slides and disrupting passes.
Ryan Rahbany, Jr. Def (HM All-ISL) Another highly rated hockey player that moves well. At 6'3" he's rangy, relentless, and looks like absolutely no fun to play against.
Despite being consistently in the top tier for the past 15 years, Rivers' lone ISL title was in 2009. But the Red Wings look like legit contenders this year as they graduated a small senior class in 2018 and the junior and senior classes both have talent, depth, and experience. The midfield has multiple scoring options, there's a stable full of lockdown longsticks, and an All-ISL returns in net. The attack has to replace two starters and needs time to jell, but as usual the Red Wings have that favorable league schedule and won't face any of the ISL's real iron until the end of April. They should look pretty formidable by then.
St. Sebastian's
2018 Record: 13-2 ISL (17-3 overall)
Notable Non-league games: Andover, Malvern Prep, Conestoga, New Hampton
Key Losses: All-ISL Goalie, All-ISL Defenseman, All-ISL Middie, 2 HM All-ISL Middies, Top FOGO, Top SSDM, 40-goal scoring Attackman
Key Returners:
Brian Piatelli, Sr. Attack (Cornell, 23g, 55a, HM All-ISL) A little undersized, but a gifted feeder and QB/point guard of the offense. If he can play at or near the level his brother did two years ago, the Arrows will be in good hands.
Michael Swirbalus, Sr. Att/Mid (Duke, 41g/22a. Ranked #39 in the class of 2019, HM All-ISL) Explosive and creative lefty playmaker. Will be interesting to see if he stays at attack or moves back to midfield like 2017.
Will Frisoli, Sr. LSM/Def (Duke, All-ISL 2017 & 18 - honorable mention 2016. All ISL DB in football. Ranked #6 in the class of 2019 by Inside Lacrosse) A high motor combined with a fantastic mix of balance, speed, and agility allows him to be aggressive against even the best offensive players. The best defender in the ISL, and possibly the best player in all of New England - public or private.
Peter Blake, Sr. Defense (Penn, HM ALL-ISL. HM All-ISL LB in football) A lefty who plays physically up top or down low and has a full repertoire of takeaways. Having him as a #2 pole behind is a huge luxury for the Arrows.
Mac Fotiades, Sr. Goalie (Michigan, HM All-ISL in 2017) Finally gets the starting gig to himself in his fifth varsity season. A vocal presence with great outlet passes.
The Arrows have graduated two very large and talented classes back to back. There are some elite seniors, but many of the juniors and sophomores haven't had much opportunity to prove themselves at the varsity level yet. Longsticks and goalie look legit, and Seb's will always have an athletic roster, but roles on offense including scoring options 3-6 need to emerge. The program has really upped its visibility over the past few years through scheduling, social media/content, and an energetic young coach who hopefully sticks around for awhile. Has a pipeline been established so that the talent level of the classes of 2017, 2018, 2019 becomes the norm, or do the Arrows begin to ebb back a bit starting this season?