Q: Congrats on a successful 2023 season. What did it mean to have the second best season in school history?
2023 was such a fun season. I think we surprised not only our opponents, but ourselves. This was our third year as a new coaching staff (head and assistant) and to see our boys believe in each other and themselves was a major step for our program. Records are nice, but what we learned about each other and ourselves far outweighs getting our name on the wall.
I’ve had a number of OS lacrosse alumni reach out and congratulate us on proving our opponents wrong. Tapping into the pride we have in Old Saybrook with a fantastic group of young men is very special.
Q: What did it mean to be named coach of the year?
It’s very kind to be honored. I was a kid who needed lacrosse and a coach that cared. I found a team and a sport that gave me hope, discipline and the desire to do better. Lacrosse has taught me so much and I am thrilled I get to pay that forward.
Q: What were your expectations heading into this season?
We finished last season 6-10, just missing states by one game. On that bus ride home from that last game, we set the goal of correcting that mistake and this season we quickly amassed the 7 wins needing to qualify for States. We also wanted to be in the top four teams in the Shoreline conference. Finishing #2 in conference and qualifying for states mid-season was well ahead of our expectations.
Q: How proud are you of Liam, Carson, Brayden, and Aiden for making All-conference?
I am thrilled these young men earned the recognition for All-Conference and Carson for all-state. Each of them were critical to our season.
· Liam’s finishing – the player who gets to put the ball into the back of the net was outstanding – he scored 5+ goals in 6 games, that’s extraordinary!
· Brayden is our QB on the field, he sets the tone and pace and executes our plays. He could have easily had many more goals this year, but his assists made him even more of stand-out player to me.
· Aiden is a tough-as-nails midfield skilled at both offense and defense. There is nothing he won’t run through and is a fantastic loose ball grabber.
· Carson earned both all-conference and all-state and is headed to play in college at Mass Maritime. He’s such a special talent – his stick skills are amoung the best I’ve seen. He makes the offense regret trying hold the ball near him – he’s just that good.
Q: Two seasons ago you guys were 1-15. What do you credit your big turn around to?
I still carry around that 1-15 season in my head. That season forced us to focus on the small things, small gains, small wins. I firmly believe because we care about those small things, big things become unavoidable.
Another part of the turn around is having folks around these boys that believe in them and believe in making Old Saybrook a lacrosse town. We are so lucky to be in such a supportive town with supportive administration and coaches. Playing our first game under the lights this season was so special as it seemed the whole town showed up to cheer us on.
The final component needed for this kind of turnaround is a great group of young men. They’ve put in the work, built trust with one another and because of that, we’re achieving things none of us could have achieved alone.
Q: What are your expectations for next season?
Simple: finish the season #1 on the Shoreline, win the Shoreline conference championship and get deep into a states run.
Q: Who are some key returnees next season and who do you expect to step up/have a bigger role this season?
Back for us in goal is our heart of the defense: Cole Lawson. This young man jumped in goal for the JV team last season and started on Varsity this year and played every minute for us. He got better and better with every game and is one of the best outlet passers I’ve seen.
On defense, Ngwang Choegyal is returning. He did an amazing job for us this season shutting down our opponents best attackers and found his voice on the field. He’ll be mentoring two newer defenders into fighting shape early in the season. I have great expectations for Jack Morin and Holden Lemire to be able to step into this role.
At midfield, we have two returning rising Seniors in William Maselli and Patty Sheahan who help us tremendously at long-stick midfield. Seniors Aiden D’Anna, Lucas Webb, Jacob DeAngelo will have the advantage of another year playing together.
Along with returning face of specialists Wes Percival and Ethan Lane both rising Juniors, I expect them to grow into dominant players on the Shoreline.
And our attack returns in full: Cody, Roberts and Cassella all return together. They were a force this season with over 200 shots and over 100 goals together. They work together so well -I have great expectations for these three.