Another year, another opportunity for a town of Colonie boys lacrosse team to make a run at the Section II title.
Shaker has been to the last two Class A championship games, losing to Niskayuna in 2008 and Guilderland in 2009.
We have high expectations because of the last two years, said Shaker coach Shawn Hennessey. `But we’ll have to outwork teams this year. If we don’t work hard, we won’t be successful.`
Christian Brothers Academy came extremely close to being the first Big 10 team to reach a Sectional final last year when the Brothers forced the Blue Bison into double overtime in the semifinals before Shaker pulled out an 8-7 victory.
`We haven’t been able to make that step to go to the Sectional finals and win the Sectional title. That’s our goal this year,` said CBA coach Tim Vivian.
As for Colonie, the Garnet Raiders will be searching for some offense following the graduation of Garrett Dollard and John Charton.
`Our attack needs to have a big year,` said Colonie coach Mike Joyce. `It depends on how well they play.`
Here is a closer look at the three boys lacrosse teams in Colonie:
CBA Brothers
Key players: Shane Hans (goaltender), Max Kerber (defense), Mark Antoinette (defense), Jack Reilly (defense), Zach Baron (attack), Dan Sipperly (attack), Greg Medici (midfield), Carter Sherman (midfield)
Outlook: Vivian takes over as head coach following Tom Schwan’s departure to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, and the team Vivian inherits has many pieces back in place.
`We’re lucky to return 20 out of 24 guys from last year, so I feel great about our chances,` said Vivian. `Tom [Schwan] built a great foundation and now, I think it’s time to take the program to the next level.`
CBA will be favored to win the Big 10 once again, but Vivian said the league is getting stronger starting with last year’s runner-up, LaSalle.
`I think they will be very athletic, and they return two attackmen who are pretty good. They’re going to be solid,` said Vivian. `They’re a team we’d better be prepared for every time we play them.`
Besides the Big 10 schedule, CBA will test itself against four Suburban Council opponents this season ` Columbia, Bethlehem, Shenendehowa and Colonie.
`I’m excited about our schedule,` said Vivian. `I would have liked to play more Suburban Council teams, but the state [public school athletic association] ` in its infinite wisdom ` decided to reduce our season from 18 to 16 games.`
The Brothers began their season Monday with a 20-2 victory over Columbia. Baron scored five goals, and Sipperly contributed a hat trick and four assists.
Colonie Garnet Raiders
Key players: Matt Hamilton (goaltender/midfield), Tom Clark (attack), Cam Signorelli (attack), Mike Metzger (attack)
Outlook: Joyce said he made choose to move Hamilton to midfield to bolster his team’s offense, but only if one of his other goaltenders can take over between the pipes.
Colonie will need to generate as much offense as possible, as it will be playing in a realigned Suburban Council. The Garnet Raiders are now in the South Division with Guilderland, Columbia, Bethlehem and their crosstown rivals from Shaker; whereas they were in a division with Columbia, Bethlehem, Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake last year when the league was divided by the strength of the programs.
`It will be a different experience for us,` said Joyce. `We’re young anyway, so we might as well get used to [tougher competition].`
Colonie opens its season next Tuesday when it visits Schenectady.
Shaker Blue Bison
Key players: Kenny O’Connor (goaltender), Jimmy O’Brien (midfield), Ryan Phillips (attack), Doug Swezey (attack), Jack McCarthy (midfield), Eddie Schupp (defense), John Holland (defense), Michael Parzych (midfield)
Outlook: With a veteran core to build around this season, Hennessey said his team can now perpetuate their success.
`I think we’re doing a good job of returning people in this program,` said Hennessey. `[The veteran players will] teach the younger guys what it will take to be successful.`
Shaker gets tested right out of the gate when it visits Niskayuna next Wednesday in its only meeting with the defending Class B champions.“