Division II boys lacrosse preview

The Derryfield School boys lacrosse team has put a pretty big bull’s eye on itself after making it to three straight title games, and winning the last two, since moving up to Division II three years ago.

But while all eyes will be on the Cougars to see if they can repeat, there are a handful of teams that are in line to give Derryfield a challenge.

Dover, which moved down from D1 last season, might have the best chance, thanks to the lineup it returns. Portsmouth, last year’s runner-up, and Hollis Brookline, a semifinalist, will also have be among the top teams in the division, while Keene looks to continue its progression.

Favorites

• Derryfield (20-0 in 2017): The two-time defending champions return almost everyone from last year’s undefeated team. With senior Connor Glosner at attack and middies John Anderson and Jon Maclean, the Cougars have the potential for a potent offense and Max Horton and goalie Avry Truex will give Derryfield a solid defense. The biggest hole Derryfield has to fill is on faceoffs, where All-American Lee Sipes was lost to graduation.
• Dover (17-1): The Green Wave should once again have a high-flying offense with the return of Dominic Silverio, last year’s co-offensive player of the year, along with Justin Colizzi and Sean Gallipo, who missed last year with a knee injury. Cam Lent and Andrew Housley return to anchor the midfield and Kyle Letourneau and Drew Tesch will solidify the defense while Noah Schwartz and Seb Cook battle for the starting spot in goal.

Contenders

• Portsmouth (15-4): The Clippers advanced to the title game last year for the second time ever, and first since 2008. Portsmouth suffered two big losses in goalie Oscar Kozikowski to graduation and middie Zadoc White to prep school. But the Clippers do return FOGO Cole Brams and middie Ollie Allen to help lead the offense.
• Hollis Brookline (15-4): The Cavaliers should be back in the mix despite losing 10 players to graduation and relying more on sophomores and freshmen this year. Goalie Garrett Moloney gives HB plenty of experience and a foundation to build out from, while LSM Jon Aldana-Proulx and attackman Ryan Olson are returning senior captains.
• Keene (10-9): The Blackbirds took a huge step last season, going from two wins in 2016 to a 10-win season that including a victory in the playoffs. Keene enters the year with plenty of senior leadership and experience, including Marcin Maleski at attack and Zach Jankowski, Avery Houston and Spencer Hokanson at midfield. Senior Tim Greenwood leads the defense while senior goalie Ben Burdett enters his third year as the starter. Junior Manning Kirker joins Maleski to give the Blackbirds a one-two punch on offense.
• Windham (13-7): The Jaguars have a new coach in Joe Young, but return a handful of players, including senior Tyler Folsom at attack and senior Noah Rust at midfield. Sophomore Jake Rush and freshman Leonidas Piandes will step in to join Folsom, while senior Hayden Wilson leads a defense that also features Cody Stevens and Connor Leuteritz. Windham will start the year without senior Eric Thibodeau, who was hurt during basketball season, but he could return last in the year. Jack Troupe looks to step into the lineup in goal.
• Merrimack Valley (11-5): The Pride have one of the top returning offensive players in the division back in junior Dillon Arrant. With just 14 games on the schedule, Merrimack Valley could sneak into the top four.

Dark horses

• Kingswood (7-8): The Knights look to take the next step after back-to-back playoff appearances, with a number of returning players. Leading the way is all-state first-teamer senior Erik Madden, who will lead the midfield along with junior Cam Mann and sophomore Nicona Williams. Liam Morrissey is a four-year starter on defense for Kingswood while Ben Eldridge is back for his second season as a starter in goal.
• Timberlane (9-6): The Owls got off to a fast start last season, and could do the same this year, led by their defense, which features seniors Joe Catino and Nate Taylor, a three-year starter in goal. The offense is made up of underclassmen, including sophomores Matt Licata and Cody Fleming and juniors Vaughn Bourassa and Jack Gray.
• Winnacunnet (8-8): The Warriors could be one of the more physical teams in the division, with a roster full of players from the championship football team. That includes on defense, where Cameron Strukel, Joe MacDougall and Hayden Choate return.

Rest of the field

• Goffstown (6-10): The Grizzlies finished strong a year ago and hope to build on that momentum entering this season. Senior Connor Chapdelaine will serve as a captain for the second straight year and lead the defense, along with sophomore Caleb Gorton. Nick Mason, Griffin Cook and Max Lajeunesse will be solid in the midfield while the offense will be led by Devin Young and Eric Dubois.
• Oyster River (5-9): First-year coach Ruppy Hailey takes over for the Bobcats, who return seven starters from a season ago. Leading the way are middie Max Litchfield and defenseman Steven Orlych, who will both serve as captains. Litchfield will be joined by Sam Davies while Ben and Noah Buteau will teak with Orlych on defense. Nick Ackerman and Will Cillia will look to lead the attack.
• St. Thomas (9-9): The Saints lost a handful of seniors to graduation and saw Andrew Geppert, last year’s D2 Defensive Player of the Year, leave for prep school. St. Thomas returns Joe Grella and Tim Bouchard to lead the offense.
• John Stark (6-9): The Generals enter the year with a young team, led by just two senior middies, captains Matt Bennetter and Jack Baumann. Juniors George Lord (defense) and Peyton Marden (midfield) will also serve as captains for John Stark. Junior Parker McQuarrie and sophomore Kayden Easter will look to lead the attack.
• Spaulding (3-11): The Red Raiders lost a lot to graduation, but have a large freshmen class coming into the program. Nate Hunt and Keegan Demers take over as captains for Spaulding while fellow seniors Tyler Coolbaugh, Kyle Landry, Ashton Langis, Connor McLain and Jason Munoz, Jr., look to step up.
• Bow (6-8)
• Alvirne (3-11)
• Pembroke (5-9)
• Kennett (2-12)
• Manchester Memorial (2-13)
• Manchester West (0-15)

Playoff Predicitions

Playoff teams: Derryfield, Dover, Goffstown, Hollis Brookline, Keene, Kingswood, Merrimack Valley, Portsmouth, Oyster River, Timberlane, Windham, Winnacunnet.

Final four: Derryfield, Dover, Keene, Portsmouth.

Championship: Derryfield over Dover.

Preseason OPOY: Dominic Silverio, Dover.

Preseason DPOY: Tim Greenwood, Keene.