Division III-IV

Hopkinton boys lacrosse looking to make it four D3 titles in a row

The Hopkinton High School boys lacrosse team goes into the 2020 season looking to do what no team has ever done in Division III.

[Editor’s Note: The 2020 season has been cancelled. This is being posted to recognize the players who worked all offseason for this year and for the coaches who took the time to submit information.]

The Hopkinton High School boys lacrosse team goes into the 2020 season looking to do what no team has ever done in Division III.

The Hawks won their third title in a row last season, which tied them for the most consecutive D3 titles with Laconia, which won three straight from 2003-05. Hopkinton enters the year as the favorite to reach that fourth-straight title, but the team that the Hawks beat in last year’s final is looking for revenge.

Pelham ended Hopkinton’s win streak during the regular season, but the Pythons were unable to repeat that feat in the championship game. They lost a good group from the 2019 team, but return a talented core. Trinity and Plymouth could also be in the mix to make some noise in D3.

Favorite

Hopkinton (16-1 in 2019): The Hawks may have graduated 13 seniors from last year’s third-straight championship, but as long as Colby Quiet is on the field, Hopkinton is the team to beat. Quiet, a senior who has evolved into a two-way player for the Hawks, and junior middie Sam Brown will have to carry a young offense for the Hawks. Defensively, Hopkinton returns senior goalie Benny Madden while junior Steven Newton-Delgado has turned into one of the division’s top players on that side of the field.

Challengers

Pelham (16-1): The Pythons handed Hopkinton its first loss in over two years, but the Hawks returned the favor in the final, and gone are nine players from that Pelham team. But the Pythons return a lot of experience, starting with senior middie Charlie Katin and senior attackman Evan Haskins, both of whom were first-team all-state selections a year ago and will serve as captains this year. The Pythons will also be looking to seniors Cory Chasse (midfield), Bobby Carleton (midfield) and Cody Fox (attack) and junior Mason Fecteau to contribute offensively this year. Senior middie Ethan Joncas and senior LSM Anthony Peranelli return to solidify the defense with senior Nick Carrol. Junior Josh Surpernant steps in at goalie.
Trinity (7-7): The Pioneers will be led by their defense this year, where they have a solid core returning, led by senior Greg Fallon and junior Brandon Boss. Sophomore Matt Miclette and junior Anthony DiZillo will also fill in on defense while junior Dylan Purdy will battle freshmen AJ True and Nick Guerra for the starting spot in goal. Senior Jake Brown and juniors Pete Alisandro and Jacob Ford will see time at LSM. Seniors Declan Cloughery and Dantre Taylor return at midfield as does junior Sam Carpenter. Senior Mica Buck and freshman Brady Watts will also see time at midfield and handle faceoffs. Junior Dillon Brown returns to lead the offense with freshman Tate Flint expected to fill a big role. Seniors Cade Williams, Aidan Ross, Avery Fraser and Marc L’Heureux will be in the mix with sophomores Jack Socha, Austin Pepin and Lucas Frazier at attack.
Plymouth (5-9): After missing the playoffs during a year in which the Bobcats lost seven players to season-ending injuries, Plymouth is poised for a bounce-back season. Senior Marcus Morel and junior Nick Aprilliano will lead the offense while the Bobcats have a solid core at midfield, led by juniors Mike Cathy, Joe D’Ambruoso and Trevan Sanborn and sophomore Mamush Tighe. On defense, Jake Duquette, Brett Baumeister and Breckin Bates led the way along with sophomores Joe Peters and goalie Jake Marcoux.

Contenders

Laconia (11-5): The Sachems took a big hit to graduation, losing the core group that helped them reach the final four for the fourth time in five years. It will be a group of sophomores leading the way for Laconia at attack and in the midfield, with Cole Roy, Evan Carignan, Lucas Beane and Tim Ausevich stepping up. On defense, Jacob Mello and Edgar Conroy return while Jeff Alfieri and Camden Harriman will see time in goal. Adam Michalawicz, Ryan Whitton and Zack Whitney also look to contribute for the Sachems.
Campbell (9-6): Joshua Knight steps in as the Cougars’ head coach this season, taking over a team that won nine games and made its first playoff appearance a year ago. Senior middie Cam Barrett looks to lead what looks like a young Campbell team.
Milford (4-9): The Spartans have increasing numbers the last few years and this could be the season it pays off in a playoff spot behind seniors Matt Hannon, Alex Taylor and Kyle Forsley.

Dark Horses

Kearsarge (7-8): The Cougars have a new coach, as Tucker Johnson takes over the varsity program. He’ll have a young team, as Brandon Ross-Thompson and Ry Allard are the lone seniors returning. After splitting time in goal last year, Allard will play defense this year and junior Kyle Gaherty takes over full time between the pipes. Juniors Travis Kane (midfield) and Luke Witmer (attack) are returning starters from a year ago while Nolan Haley, Sam Quimby and Cole Hopkins step into the mix. Sophomore middie Anders Sailer looks to handle faceoffs for Kearsarge. The Cougars will also look to a group of freshmen that includes Troy Madigan, Mason Russell, Matt Berns and Teddy Woods.
Lebanon (2-12): The Raiders lost 12 players to graduation, but return a solid core of seniors in Jon Cloud, Jack Chamley, Brett Lamadeleine, Sam Lappin and Noah Tyler. Cloud has been a starter on varsity since his freshman year. Ethan Eshbaugh takes over in goal while Colbie Delisle and Luke Green also return on defense. Also returning for Lebanon are C.J. Childs, Griffin Auch, Simon Amaro, Noah Mekus, Hunter Grant, Ethan LaHaye and Jake Hibner.

Rest of Field

Bishop Brady (1-12): The Giants enter the year with a roster short on game experience, but they have a handful of seniors to help lead the way, including at attack, where Mark Galvin, Kyle Bean and Alec Snow return. Also returning is sophomore Jon Doheny. On defense, senior Nick Lamm and Ben Marceau lead the way while senior Owen Pelletier steps in at goalie. Bishop Brady will look to a pair of freshmen, Nathan Nelson and Brady Ziegler, to strengthen the midfield.
Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough (8-8): The Lakers are coming off the program’s first playoff win a year ago, and while they’ll have a new coach, they do return one of the division’s top players in senior Liam Brown.
Monadnock (12-2)
Gilford (5-10)
Stevens (0-13)