Division III-IV

Division III boys lacrosse preview

In the last four years, Division III boys lacrosse has seen four different teams take home the championship plaque.

It might not sound like much, but compared to the other two divisions in New Hampshire, it means D3 has had the most parity in recent history, and that doesn’t appear to be changing this seasons.

While last year’s finalists – defending-champion Laconia and runner-up Pelham – should be contenders, it’s Hopkinton that looks like the favorite as the regular season gets under way on Monday.

But the gap between the teams expected to be at the top and the next tier, isn’t as big as the other divisions. One coach in the division went so far as to list as many as nine teams that could be battling it out; only eight will make the playoffs.

Here’s a look at how the division could shake out.

Favorites

Hopkinton (11-5): The Hawks were a semifinalist a year ago, losing to Laconia, and they return a lineup that includes four players who received all-state recognition. Among those are seniors Joe Cullinan (attack) and Derek Amoth (goalie) and junior Gerry Donahue (defense).
Kearsarge (12-3): The Cougars were the two seed in last year’s tournament, but were upset in the quarterfinals by Plymouth. Kearsarge has a solid group of returners, led by senior Justin Norris, a Player-of-the-Year candidate, along with David Benjamin (defense), who was on the D3 first team a year ago.

Contenders

Laconia (18-0): The defending champions lost a lot of scoring from last year’s team, but the Sachems return a solid defensive unit, led by junior Drew Muzzey (LSM). Laconia also had defensemen Noah Shastany and Garret Whitney back along with goalie Steve Towers. Also back is two-way middie Jake Ellis along with Riley Roy and Parker Minor, while Jake Steele, Ryan Chiasson, Cole Reid and Bailey Moore will be looked to for offense.
Trinity (12-3): A year after winning the title in 2015, the Pioneers were knocked out in the first round by Pelham last season. Trinity has just two seniors in its starting lineup, but returns a solid defense, led by juniors Mike Etzo and Owyn Descrochers and senior Cam Miclette. Two players are battling to start in goal, with junior Garrett Kondeck trying to hold off freshman Owen McNichols. Sophomores Jimmy Kosiarski and Ethan Meissner will try to lead the attack.
Pelham (12-5): The Pythons returned to the final for the second year in a row, but came up short against Laconia, the third time in five years Pelham has been in the title game. Pelham returns an experienced defense, led by senior goalie Joe Katin, who was D3 first team last year. Also back are senior defensemen Brad Rochford, Matt Robichaux and Liam Haskins, along with middie Devon Russell.
Plymouth (10-6): The Bobcats were a semifinalist a year ago after knocking off Kearsarge in the first round. Plymouth lost a pair of all-state attackmen, but return a handful of seniors, including captains Austin Appleby, Drew Hodges and Matt Rossner, along with Rowan Drew, Tyler Morrison, Ethan Richard, Brandon Roy and Camden Swanson.

Dark Horses

Bishop Brady (7-7): The Giants missed out on the postseason last year, but could bounce back this year behind junior attack Bryce Johnson.
ConVal (9-6): The Cougars have been on the rise in recent years, including getting into the playoffs as the eighth seed a year ago. ConVal returns two all-state midfielders in seniors Jimmy Stewart and Danny Parker.
Monadnock (11-4): The Huskies fell in the quarterfinals last year to Hopkinton and returns all-state performers in Mackenzie Pace (defense), Troy Ruch (attack) and Jared Redfield (midfield).

Rest of the field

Belmont (2-12): The Red Raiders have one of the top players in the division in senior attack Chaz Hacking, who one division coach said, “if he was on any of (the favorites) we’d be talking about him as Offensive Player of the Year.”
Coe-Brown (2-12): The Bears enter their third season as a varsity program with a lot of holes to fill after losing 15 seniors. Coe-Brown has a young defense led by senior Shane Fillion, while junior captain Mitchell Wade will anchor the midfield. The offense will be led by junior captain Jack Percy (attack) and senior Corbin LeBlanc (midfield).
Milford (0-13 in D2): The Spartans move back down to D3 after two years playing up. Milford has 21 players returning from last season, including captains Collin Cederberg (senior, attack), Josh Shaw (junior, defense) and Liam Joyner (junior, midfield). Milford returns eight of 12 starters, many of whom are juniors, but will need to find away to replace half its scoring.
Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough (NA): The Lakers enter their first season as a varsity program with just one senior on the roster. ILM will look to junior captain Brendyn Marsh, Nick Spicuzza and Sam Wilber to lead the way.
Campbell (6-8): The Cougars had a solid second year as a varsity program, but will have to find a way to replace the offensive production of senior Tanner Tarr.
Lebanon (4-10): The Raiders return a trio of all-state performers in seniors Nate Damren, Jordan Hammond and Benjamin Gerow.
Gilford (4-10): The Golden Eagles haven’t posted a winning record since 2012.
Stevens (1-13): The Cardinals have struggled over the last three years, with last year’s lone victory the program’s first since 2013.