Boys lacrosse: Scouting the Northwest suburbs

Barrington

Coach: Jason Kaiser

2018 record: 10-10 (5-1 MSL)

Top returning players: Seniors Kevin Keck (midfield), Aidan Sadler (goalie), Sam Kuta (defense), Ethan Beyrer (attack), junior Nathan Nguyen (midfield)

Outlook: The Broncos lost only once in the MSL, that being a one-goal setback to Schaumburg. "We return a large number of 2018 varsity starters," said Kaiser. Nguyen, Beyrer and defender Bryce Cherkleski all earned postseason accolades last year. Kaiser likes his player's stick-handling abilities, as well as strong dodging ability both on attack and in the midfield. Barrington also brings back all its starters on defense. "This group has all the necessary tools to play great lacrosse and go the distance," said Kaiser. "All we will need to do is create a positive team chemistry, stay healthy and injury-free and believe in the process. We've traded conference championships with Schaumburg for as long as I can remember. My guess is the conference race will tighten up a little things year. I'm excited to see what each of the conference teams bring to the table."

Conant

Coach: Nico Vega

2018 record: 4-14 (0-5 MSL)

Top returning players: Senior Nick Reyes (attack), juniors Andrew Bittner (midfield), Erik Braun (goalie), Connor Franco (attack), sophomore Aaron Drawer (attack)

Key newcomers: Senior Robert Eakright (defense), junior Derek Lewandowski (defense)

Outlook: Vega loves the team chemistry he's seen so far from this year's Cougars squad. "Our team chemistry and camaraderie is very strong," he said. "We have athletes who care about the sport, care about their ability and care about helping their teammates become better players and people. When all that mixes together you have the potential to have a very successful year, not only in terms of record, but also in terms of individual growth." Offensively, Vega said a high lacrosse IQ will benefit his team, along with an unselfish, aggressive and attacking attitude. "Our communication on the offensive side of the ball is going to be key in order to get that ball in the net as many times as possible," he said. Defender Nick Mussman is the team's only returner on that side of the field. "With that being said, our defense is relentless and gives an excellent amount of effort with every possession. As they start to grow together and work on communicating and their skill work, they will become a very good defense. Braun played well as a sophomore in goal on the varsity. "His positioning in the net has improved as well as his passes," said Vega. Conant has more than 75 players in the program. "A key for our team is to find an identity," said Vega. "The biggest thing we discusses in the first week of practice is getting better every day and figuring out who we want to be as a team. Good teams have an identity that they rally around. We are very excited to begin playing. I think we will put up more goals this season and our athleticism and desire will be on display. Schaumburg is the defending champion and has a lot of good players so I look forward to playing them and seeing how we have progressed as a program. I can't wait to battle all our MSL opponents."

Fremd

Coach: Nick Mamula

2018 record: 8-11 (2-3 MSL, 4th)

Top returning players: Senior Dylan Michalak (attack), Tim Fasick (defense), Paul Ponte (defense/long-stick midfield), juniors Jack Hipchen (attack), Luke Feerick (attack-midfield), Michael Mileski (defense), sophomore Alex Park (long-stick midfield)

Key newcomers: Sophomore Michael Demski (defense, long-stick midfield), freshman Noah Walker (faceoff)

Outlook: Fremd features all-conference performers in Hipchen (51 points in 2018) and long-stick midfielder Park (55 ground balls as a freshman a year ago). Even better, Mamula has 15 returning varsity players at his disposal. "Our defense is returning all the starters but one, while also adding some very strong younger talent and athleticism," he noted. "Our offense has a strong core of athletes that will be able to challenge from behind and on top. Even as a freshman, our faceoff guy will challenge the best in the state." Offensively, Mamula said Fremd is skilled with the shot in terms of accuracy and velocity from 10-15 years out in addition to having the capability to beat defenders off one-on-one matchups. The coach added the Vikings' defense will be fast, athletic and aggressive. "This will be the second year in the varsity system for nearly all of them," said Mamula. "They will be on the same page and capable of communicating at a fast pace." Fremd has its sights set on an MSL title. "We are the favorite to win the MSL this year," Mamula said. "The number of returning varsity athletes will enable us to start the season at a much higher level than years previous. Our No. 1 focus will be to play as a team and to push transition. There will not be many teams that will be able to run with our defense. We have a number of goals, but the big three are pushing transition, winning faceoffs and capitalizing on opportunities."

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Joseph Garofalo

2018 record: 9-13 (3-2 MSL, 3rd)

Top returning players: Seniors Drew Eiring (attack), Zach Nashalman (attack), Anar Tumurbaatar (midfield), Nilay Sriram (defense), Stefan Knappik (midfield)

Key newcomers: Senior Danny Kim defense), sophomore Matt Minneci (defense)

Outlook: Eiring and Nashalman were all-MSL as juniors last year. "We are a senior-heavy team," said Garofalo. "We bring back a lot of experience and athleticism and we feel like we have some scorers on this team. We bring back our top offensive guys and feel like our guys are really understanding the offense this year. Dan Canace, our offensive coordinator, has done a really good job with the offense and is finding ways to utilize our strengths." Experience also is in Hoffman's favor on defense. "We are lucky to bring back three guys on defense with a lot of experience and have a lot of new guys who are key contributors," said Garofalo. "We have a very aggressive and physical group on defense." Injuries stung the Hawks last season. "We need to stay healthy this year," the coach stressed. "Last year we had some key guys injured that really hurt us. Our guys work really hard and once things really start clicking as an overall team, this group will be really good." As far as the MSL, Garofalo sees a hornet's nest. "The MSL always is tough and there are a lot of good coaches in this conference," he said. "Schaumburg has been very good the past few years and was the top team last year and every year Barrington is good. However, I expect Fremd, Conant and Palatine are going to be good as well. We will have to play well in every game if we want to compete."

Palatine

Coach: Chris Gantz

2018 record: 2-13 (1-3 MSL)

Top returning players: Sam Russchenberg (attack), Peter Russchenberg (attack), Nick Oswald (attack), Jared Wright (attack), Anthony Plesnicar (midfield), Russell Wagner (midfield), Kevin Reynold (midfield), Connor Lang (midfield), Ian Tragesser (midfield), Brady Foote (faceoff), Isiah Lewis (faceoff), Cormac McGrath (long-stick midfield), Joseph Henrikson (defense), Jake Wagner (defense), Griffin Keisler (defense), Mateo Gjoni (defense), Rand Paddack (goalie)

Key newcomer: Junior Joe Steffans

Outlook: Sam Russchenberg, a senior, is a returning all-MSL performer who will play across from younger sophomore brother Peter Russchenberg on attack. Paddack started in goal for the Pirates as a freshman. Sam Russchenberg will play football and lacrosse at North Central, while Lewis is headed to North Dakota State for the same two sports as well. Gantz is in his first season at Palatine after previously coaching at Fremd and Glenbrook North. "We have seen an influx in interest in lacrosse throughout the school with the largest turnout for tryouts in a decade," said Gantz. "This increase will allow us a developmental opportunity that looks bright for the future of boys lacrosse at Palatine." Gantz said key focuses will revolve around sticks, feet and specialty positions. "There is a clear hunger for success this year and it shows with early enthusiasm and commitment from our student-athletes," he said. Gantz said the Russchenberg brothers provide a unique duo of skill, control and lacrosse IQ, while lefty Oswald has a power shot from the other side of the field. Paddack headlines the defense. "Our defensive crew has experience and depth to allow for a quick change form zone to man coverage this year," said Gantz, who has instilled the ICE principles throughout the program (integrity, competitiveness and effort). Gantz sees an "up-for-grabs" MSL, "with various coaching changes and more off-season activity within lacrosse creating a different type of player than we have seen in the past. No matter what, we will stand out for our purity in the sport with the most diverse student body on the field in the MSL and almost half the program touching a stick for the first time this year. We have all the tools necessary to win and there is a definite change in attitude among the players as they work to prove themselves competitive within the MSL and IHSA."

Schaumburg

Coach: Joe Carey

2018 record: 9-11 (5-0, 1st MSL)

Top returning players: Seniors Jon Sorg (midfield), Lucas Dudek (goalie), Nick Woodworth (attack), Sean Solon (midfield), Jake Rainey (defense), junior Mark Dewees (attack)

Key newcomers: Seniors Jake Deluca (defense), Andrew Buchholtz

Outlook: Sorg, Dudek and Rainey earned all-MSL honors last year. Woodworth is continuing his career at Quincy, while Sorg is headed to ITT. "Last year we had a very young team," Carey pointed out. "Our senior class last year was one of our smallest. It forced us to play a lot of young guys. The experience the young guys got last year should pay off this season." Familiarity won't be a problem on offense for the Saxons. "Our offense has a lot of experience playing together both in high school and during the club season. We only graduated two offensive starters. Their chemistry and awareness should be a huge part of our team this year." Dudek provides a key piece to the puzzle in the back. "Fortunately we have an experienced goalie to help accelerate the learning curve," said Carey. Just because the Saxons went 5-0 in the conference last year doesn't mean they are sitting on their laurels. "We have lofty goals this year," said Carey. "This is a group of guys that has been playing together for a long time, however we are not going to take anything for granted. We anticipate every conference game being a battle. We are focusing on the mental side of the game this year. The talent is there, but we need to remain disciplined and be able to handle adversity to be successful this season."