Creating success is hard.
Maintaining success is even more challenging, but that challenge is the gift and burden for Pembroke this spring. After posting one of the best seasons in school history by way of an 11-2 record, the Spartans head into the 2022 season with bigger aspirations than just a quarterfinal appearance.
Part of the challenge is the transition with first-year coach Sean O’Brien taking over. O’Brien, who served as an assistant coach last season, will sit at the helm of a program in a thick Division II field. Pembroke returns good portions of its talent from last season, including seniors Kriss Lessner (defense) and Gavin O’Brien (attack). Sophomore duo Matt Dunn (defense) and Caden Mix (attack) also return for the Spartans.
With those four core players in place, look for sophomore Owen Hill (attack), junior Daniel Carignan (long stick middie) and seniors Nathan Smith (middie) and Caleb Young (goalie) to make a difference Pembroke.
CONCORD
Coach: Jeff Smith (10th year)
Last year: 7-7, reached D-I prelims
Outlook: After a .500 season and an early exit from the D-I tournament, the Tide is looking to go deeper in the playoffs in 2022.
Coach: Darren Premo (2nd year)
Last year: 6-7, reached D-II prelims
Returning starters: Blake Scarinza, jr., G; Brodie O’Neil, so., A; Ben Berube, jr., A; Ethan Tobeler, jr., A; Sean Hoey, so., M; Hollis Jones, jr., M; Andrew Conley, sr., D; Cole Robinson, sr., D; Logan Rain, so., LSM
Top newcomers: Gavin McCabe, so., M; Ryan McCabe, so., A; Canyon Batchelder, jr., M
Outlook: The Falcons open the season against some of the top teams in D-II and won’t catch any breaks early in the season.
“We are young and will be tested right out of the gate,” Premo said. “We have a cohesive group coming back on the attack, but are only returning one starting (midfielder).”
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Derryfield, Timberlane, Oyster River, Winnacunnet
Coach: Tony DePalma (5th year)
Last year: 7-7, lost in D-II round one
Returning starters: James Thomas, sr., G; Aaron Bono, sr., M; Alex Knight, sr., M; Drew Clinch, jr., M; Aidan Lindsey, jr., D; Landon Rafael, jr., A; Matt Labrecque, jr., D; Connor Joy, jr., M; Jack Whitcher, jr., D; David Lee, sr., A; Connor Strum, jr., M; James Sawyer, so., D
Top newcomers: Jack Matson, fr., G; Cameron Sevin, jr., M; Dylan Swasey, jr., A; Ryan Rodler, fr., M; Shea Escabi, jr., M; Tully Keefe, so., M; Carson Hodgdon, fr., M; Andrew DeBello, so., A; Ean Pinard, jr., M; Joey Alie, fr., D; Liam White, fr., A
Outlook: The Bears only lost one senior to graduation, return an experienced senior and junior class, and are seeing the benefits of the Black Bear Youth Lacrosse program at the high school level. The coaching staff has also expanded with the addition of defensive coordinator Jay Gallipo.
“Despite our first 12 (players) having experience, we still need guys to confidently step into the roles they are being asked to play,” DePalma said. “We need to trust each other and buy in on a whole new level to continue growing the program, and I think we are doing that and will continue to as we learn through the season. This is a fun team to coach. We expect to be a nuisance to any team on any given day, with potential to really frustrate the blue bloods come playoff time if we continue to evolve.”
Teams to beat: Portsmouth, Derryfield, Timberlane
Coach: Randy Arrant (2nd year)
Last year: 3-10, reached D-II prelims
Returning starters: Ryan Carmichael, G; Aidan Monaghan, A; Jake Currier, LPD; Travis Knouse, M; Zach Lauren, A; Kalvin Maier, LPD; Aidan Miller, M; Frank Morrill, LPD;
Top newcomers: Michael Kingsbury, G; Travis Garcia, LPD; Jed Duquette, LPD; Michael Heine, M; Aidan Gray, M; Matthew Lauren, A; Ryan Monaghan, A; Jacob Leclerc, A
Outlook: The Pride have a deep roster stacked with experience and 16 new freshmen added to the program.
Teams to beat: Derryfield
Coach: Frank Lamparelli (2nd year)
Last year: 3-10, reached D-III prelims
Returning starters: Owen Currier, sr., A; Brady Ziegler, jr., A; Nathan Nelson, jr., M; Benjamin Abromowich, jr., M; Garrett Cerda, sr., M; Joshua Lamparelli, so., D; Jake Tash, so., D; Tucker Townsend, jr., FOGO; Sal Aubin, sr., LSM
Top newcomers: Brendan Caterino, sr., M; Tyler Yourich, sr., D; William Brochu, fr., M; Henri Brochu, fr., A
Outlook: The Giants will feature a more experienced starting lineup than they did a year ago with nine returning starters, including faceoff specialist Towsend, and long stick midfielder and captain Aubin.
“I expect a vibrant offense with Nelson, Caterino, and Currier taking leading roles,” Lamparelli said. “Our faceoff Townsend went 71% from the stripe last year. I expect the same or better this season. We are returning a solid defense with some depth led by sophomore Lamparelli. Tash, Evan “Slash” Dow and Yourich should cause a gauntlet of trouble if you want to get close to goalie Brayden Murphy. I am not sure you want to get anywhere near Murphy, who is built like a Paul Bunyan. I am very happy with the progress the boys have made over 12 short months. We are still a young squad, but as long as we stay healthy this team should be competitive.”
Teams to beat: Campbell, Plymouth, Hopkinton, Trinity
Coach: Howie Roever (2nd year)
Last year: 0-11, lost in D-III quarterfinals
Returning starters: Jared O’Connor, sr., G; Jacob Davies, jr., M; Sean Carter, sr., D/LSM; Ben Boothby, so., B; Ethan Benn, so., D
Top newcomers: Paulo Vazquez, fr., M; Manny Velazquez, jr., M
Outlook: The Hillcats ended their inaugural season without a win and are seeking the program’s first victory in 2022. H-D is anchored by senior goalie O’Connor between the pipes, while faceoffs and play in the midfield – led by Davies, Velazquez and Vazquez – will also be strengths. Carter leads the defense and senior Ryan McCrum will be the point man at attack.
“This is a young and inexperienced team with a shallow roster,” Roever said. “They will continue to live by last year’s motto: ‘Get better every day,’ and hopefully experience some success in doing so.”
Teams to beat: Trinity, Plymouth, Hopkinton
Coach: Deacon Blue (10th year)
Last year: 9-5, reached D-III semifinals
Returning starters: Eli Standefer, sr., G; Steven Reddy, jr., D; John Sullivan, sr., D; Aidan Burns, sr., M; Josh Duval, sr., M; Ethan Molnar, sr., M; Ryan Brown, sr., A; Patrick Buss, so., A
Top newcomers: Cam Bassett, so., D; Avery Condon, so., D; Quinn Whitehead, sr., M; Nick Martel, jr., A; John Despres, jr., A
Outlook: “We have a devoted team this year with a lot of talent and a strong work ethic,” Blue said. “We will continue to challenge ourselves to be the best team in our division.”
Among those talented players are returning All-State selections Burns (First Team), Brown (Second Team), Molnar (Second Team) and Reddy (Second Team).
Teams to beat: Campbell, Plymouth, Laconia, Trinity
Coach: Tucker Johnson (2nd year)
Last year: 3-8, reached D-III prelims
Outlook: After a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Monadnock in the preliminary round of the playoffs, the Cougars are hoping to get back to the postseason tournament.