Despite plenty of change, top teams look to remain the same in D1 boys lacrosse

There will be plenty that’s different about Division I boys lacrosse this season.

With the start of a new two-year cycle in the NHIAA, the number of teams in the division increased by two to 14. That means an extra team will make the postseason and create a play-in game between the eighth and ninth seeds.

Of those 14 teams, five of them have a new head coach going into the 2025 season, including both teams that reached last year’s championship game.

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But even with all that change, the end of the year could still look the same as 2024, when Bishop Guertin held off Bedford for its fourth-straight championship, and the two reached the final by beating Exeter and Pinkerton, respectively, in the semifinals.

There could be a couple of teams that could find their way into that final group of four, like Merrimack or Londonderry. There should be a battle for playoff spots between Concord, Dover, Manchester and Nashua South, along with Windham and Keene-Monadnock, which both moved up from D2.

Pinkerton, Londonderry and Salem also go into the year with new head coaches.

Favorites

Bishop Guertin (18-3 in 2024, D1 champion): The Cardinals go into the year with a number of streaks on the line: four D1 titles in a row, 19 straight appearances in the final and 64 wins in a row against in-state competition. But the sideline will look a little different this season, as long-time head coach Chris Cameron stepped down during the offseason and was replaced by his son, Brian, who was an assistant for his father last year. The elder Cameron will stay on as an assistant this year.

On the field, the Cardinals return a lot even with losing 11 seniors from last year’s team. Leading the way are seniors Paul Vazquez (FOGO), Noah Guarrera (defense), Colin Foley (defense), Beau Dubois (midfield), Michael Ponto (attack) and Jeremy Warren (midfield).

Bishop Guertin also returns a strong junior class, led by midfielders Camden Hayden, Owen King and Hudson Schmitt. Also returning at attack is junior Sean McGarry while juniors JP Dunsmoor and Hunter Duany are back at SSDM and junior Tyler McLeod returns at LSM.

Junior Jonah Feliciano will step in at goalie while sophomore Andre Steinbrueck (defense) and freshmen Tom Clancy (LSM) and Jack Redfern (attack/midfield) will also be in the mix.

Bedford (18-2, lost in final): The Bulldogs saw a resurgence last season, as they reached the D1 title game for the first time and played for a championship for the first time since their final season in D2 in 2014.

Bedford will also have a new coach, as Drew Bourdeau left to become the head coach at Saint Anselm College and was replaced by Steve Gaudreau, who had filled the same position at Pinkerton since 2020.

Gaudreau takes over a program that lost 10 seniors from a year ago, including all three starters on defense, but has a solid core returning. Leading the way are senior captains Brian Riccio (defense), Kevin Mastrodicasa (midfield) and Luke Purnell (attack).

The Bulldogs also return juniors Bennett Matthews and Brody Helton at midfield while junior Ethan Conn is back at goalie and sophomore Dylan Riccio will again handle faceoffs. Freshman Teddy LaPointe will also be in the mix at LSM while Bedford returns a dozen other players with varsity experience.

Challengers

Exeter (13-7, lost in semifinals): The Blue Hawks graduated 13 from last year’s final four team, the eighth time in a row Exeter has reached the semifinal. The Blue Hawks will look to get back there, and beyond, behind a solid senior class, led by midfielders Marshall Lasewisz, Tyler Bland and Jackson Greene.

Also back are seniors Will McIlroy (FOGO) and Fletcher Neveu (defense), along with juniors Patrick Hathaway (attack) and James Bernich (goalie).

Pinkerton (11-9, lost in semifinals): The Astros go into the year with a new coach, but a familiar face on the sideline, as Marty Auger, a former Pinkerton assistant, takes over the program.

The Astros strength to start looks to be on defense, with senior Jackson Chase and juniors Brendan Carney, Zach Baker and Zach Kelley (LSM) leading the way in front of sophomore goalie Owen Perkins. Also back is sophomore Nate Smith (LSM) while sophomore Brady Blaszka will also contribute.

Junior Dylan Stingle returns to handle faceoffs while seniors Jeff Gormandy and Ben Quintiliani return at midfield. Sophomore Jackson Farrell will also see time at midfield while junior Matt Gormandy returns on attack and freshman Levi Weaver (attack) will also see time.

Merrimack (9-9, lost in quarterfinals): The Tomahawks lost just one starter from last year’s playoff team and have seven seniors with varsity experience returning.

Leading the way on defense will be seniors Beau Lamontagne and Colby Smith along with juniors Gavin Hickey and Mason Tremblay (goalie) and sophomores Trevor Shorette and Bret Vietry. Joining them will be senior Nick Romero while seniors Zach Troani and Quinn Curren could also see time in goal.

Seniors Henry Tobin, Max Giles and Nathaniel Bergen return at midfield while junior Cayden Dine and sophomore Hudson Rouseau are also back. Seniors Alex Cayot, Luis Vasquez and Lucas Noel, juniors Josh Kahn and Nate Johnson and sophomore Gabe Gorman give Merrimack plenty of depth at midfield.

Peyton Connelly and Jake Miller return as seniors at attack, along with junior Sean Anderson. Senior Samarth Chandra will also have a chance to contribute on offense.

Londonderry (8-9, lost in quarterfinals)

Contenders

Concord (8-10, lost in quarterfinals): The Crimson Tide lost just seven seniors from last year’s team, but were a young group overall, starting a handful of sophomores and freshmen.

This year, Concord just one in the program in senior long pole Broc Pelchat. He’ll be playing in front of either junior Harry Snow or freshman Grady Brown in goal. Junior Liam Yeatman returns to lead the attack and sophomore Jaden Haas is back at midfield and to handle faceoffs.

Dover (7-10, lost in quarterfinals): The Green Wave saw 11 seniors graduate from last year’s team, including goalie Dom Chalifour, who set the state record for career saves. But with a handful of returning players, and in the second year under coach Chris Ketcham, Dover has its eyes on a return to the playoffs.

Seniors Ben Tower (midfield), Tobey Desroches (attack) and Kyle Behan (attack) will look to lead the way, with junior Logan Carter also back on attack. Juniors Quinton McCormick and Bryson Glidden return on defense in front of junior Danny Bretz, who steps in at goal.

Owen Wood returns to handle faceoffs and see time at defensive middie, while junior midfielder Cooper Ketcham returns after playing at Derryfield last season. They’ll be joined by freshman Parker Ketcham, who will see time at midfield and attack.

Windham (15-4 in D2): The Jaguars lost 14 seniors from a year ago, including three players who combined for 123 goals, and now face the challenge of moving up to D1.

Leading the way for Windham will be senior midfielders Drew Grzyb, Nick Maloney and Robbie DePietro, who will also handle faceoffs. Sophomore Sam Kramer also returns at midfield while senior Cory Wickman and junior Josh Trudel return at attack. They’ll be joined by sophomore Cam Terry and freshman Evan Ardizzone.

Senior goalie Anthony Shi and senior Bobby Hamway will lead the defense along with sophomore Ethan Peluso. Junior Nolan Lamb (LSM) will also contribute.

Dark Horses

Manchester (5-10): The Kings will be on the younger side this season, but have a little more depth across the board. Senior midfielders Colin Beaulieu (LSM), Trevor Wong and Brandon Weaver return to give Manchester experience and leadership.

Also back is junior goalie Cam Roberge, along with juniors Jackson Ulbin-Morin (midfield) and sophomore Cade Tripp (attack). Senior Kyle Pelletier (midfield) and junior Alex Sutherland (defense) will also be in the mix.

Keene-Monadnock (7-11 in D2): The Blackbirds are back in the division after reaching the playoffs in Division II last season. This year, Keene-Monadnock goes in with a mix of returning players and some newcomers, including freshmen, who should contribute.

Leading the way are seniors Dylan Yardley (goalie) and Carter Trubiano (defense) while junior Nick Fortier will be key at midfield, along with freshman Grady Erickson.

Rest of Field

Salem (3-11): The Blue Devils have a handful of returning players who will help as first-year coach, and alum, Jake Genest takes over the program.

Salem will be led by a trio of seniors in Danny Hughes (defense), Riley O’Brien (midfield) and Logan Smith (midfield) while junior Ryan Todt (attack) and sophomore Jack Richard (LSM) also return.

Junior Cole Whittaker will see time at midfield and handle faceoffs for the Blue Devils while freshman Thomas Griffin steps in at goalie after a successful run in the same position for the ice hockey team.

Nashua South (3-15): The Panthers have a solid core returning that will provide experience and leadership going into the season, starting with seniors Jake Lynn (goalie), Andrew Convery (defense) and Broden Landsteiner (midfield).

Also returning are juniors Tyler Benzekri (LSM), Owen Roy (attack) and Cody Jackson (midfield). Freshmen Chase Rioux (defense) and Joe Kudla (midfield) will have a chance to contribute.

Nashua North (1-17): The Titans have a dozen freshmen joining the program while there are just three seniors on the roster: Patrick Shaw (midfield), Jevon Anson (defense) and Andrew Cullinane (midfield).

Junior Nick Wilkinson (attack), Dylan Noble (midfield) and Jack Krulikowski (defense) will be key for North along with sophomore goalie Josh Parsons. Freshmen Nico Bottari (attack), Jared Gauthier (midfield) and Brody Gagnon (midfield) will have opportunities to contribute.

Postseason Prediction

• Teams (nine): Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Dover, Exeter, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Pinkerton, Windham.
• Final four: Bedford, Bishop Guertin, Exeter, Pinkerton.
• Championship: Bishop Guertin over Bedford.
• Offensive Player of the Year: Bennett Matthews, Bedford.
• Defensive Player of the Year: Brendan Carney, Pinkerton.