By D. Matt Dale
MaxPreps.com
The opening of the lacrosse season in Delaware is less than two weeks away. Here is a quick look at some of the top boys' teams in the state, as well as a list of some compelling early-season match-ups and a look back at last season's All-Americans.
Salesianum
Salesianum will attempt to defend its 2007 state championship against a field of worthy and formidable opponents. Sallies is led by 2007 All-American goalie senior Mark Manos. The senior goalkeeper, who signed with Drexel University earlier this year, was responsible for two shutouts and gave up an average of only 5.8 goals a game in Salesianum’s 16-1 championship season.
Although the team will miss fellow All-American midfielder John Kuderka, who has graduated, Salesianum's defense should be able to match up against any offense in the state. Look for Salesianum to again go deep in this season’s tournament.
Tatnall
Tatnall has had a long off season to dwell on the overtime loss that ended its 2007 season at 13-5 in the semifinals. The young Tatnall team will have to rebound after losing three senior standouts to graduation.
With only six seniors on the team this season, Tatnall’s defense will be tested early and often. Senior long sticks Ryan Mase and Pat Moran, along with junior goalkeeper Bobby Schluter, should be able to answer the call, while Hofstra recruit Brad Loizeaux and Lock Jacobs will lead a young offensive unit.
Tatnall will need solid play from a number of talented sophomores if it hopes to advance beyond the semifinals this spring.
Cape Henlopen
In 2007, the Vikings went 13-4 overall but were only 1-3 against the state's top five teams. Cape will try to show that it belongs among the elite teams in the state this season as a strong group of seniors and underclassmen return to avenge an early elimination from the tournament last year.
Lacrosse fans across the state will be looking forward to the next chapter in a growing rivalry between Cape and Tatnall. Last year’s overtime thriller resulted in a 10-9 victory for Cape, which avenged a loss to Tatnall earlier in the season. There will be no love lost between these two teams in 2008.
Wilmington Friends
Wilmington Friends advanced to the final round of the tournament last season, but was unable to get past Salesianum. The Quakers ended their season with an impressive 14-4 record, one that included three overtime victories. All-State senior Bobby DeWees will provide leadership on the team that said good bye to a talented senior class last year.
Friends will have some fresh faces and some new names to learn. Ultimately, the Quakers will rely on athleticism and gritty all-out play to get back to the finals this year.
Brandywine
Brandywine will be a young team in 2008, resulting from a large number of graduating seniors in 2007. Attackman Conor Hayes and defensemen Brien Jamison will provide senior support on both sides of the ball. Brandywine’s success this season will depend largely on the play of a young and talented, yet relatively untested midfield core.
Since new players are forced to step up and contribute, Brandywine may get off to a slow start as the team looks to build chemistry.
Archmere Academy
Led by senior captain Matt Georgov, Archmere’s 2008 team will consist of many talented juniors. Although senior leadership on defense may be at a minimum, Archmere has an athletic and well-coached team that should turn a few heads during the course of the spring.
It may take some time for Archmere to find a winning formula, but the team has a strong chance to improve upon last season’s 9-8 record and make the state tournament.
Caesar Rodney
The Riders will return with a stout defensive unit led by senior goaltender Brandon Wood and a consistent midfield headed by senior Patrick Berns. The big question will be the Riders' young attackmen. Sophomore Erik Hoffstadt will try to prove that talent can overcome inexperience and step up as a leader of the Caesar Rodney offense.
Look for the Riders to challenge Cape for the Cape Henlopen Conference championship.
A.I. DuPont
The Tigers' midfield and attack groups are talented and reliable. Junior attckmen Max Huber and Steve Towe have been starters since they were freshmen and complement an experienced midfield led by four seniors.
Many questions remain about A.I. DuPont’s defense as the Tigers lost both a first and second team all-conference defensemen to graduation. Goalkeeper Jack McCarron may struggle with an inexperienced defensive group. Only time will tell if A.I.’s defense has what it takes to lead the Tigers to their first post season appearance in two years.
Last season's final State Top 10 (based on power ratings)
1. Salesianum 16-1
2. Tatnall 13-5
3. Cape Henlopen 13-4
4. Wilmington Friends 14-4
5. Wilmington Charter 15-4
6. Middletown 13-4
7. St. Andrews 10-6
8. Brandywine 9-8
9. Tower Hill 9-8
10. Archmere Academy 9-8
Others: St. Mark's, Caesar Rodney, A.I. DuPont, Polytech, Conard, William Penn, Sanford, Wilmington Christian, Dover, Newark.
Early season boys games to watch:
March 26: Salesianum at Cape Henlopen
March 27: Middletown at Brandywine
March 28: Cape Henlopen at St. Andrew's
March 29: Worcester Prep (Md.) at Tatnall
April 1: Salesianum at Wilmington Friends
April 1: St. Andrew's at Tower Hill
April 3: Wilmington Christian at Archmere Academy
April 3: Wilmington Charter at Concord
April 3: Sanford at Tatnall
April 5: Brandywine at Cape Henlopen
Delaware All-Americans in 2007
Boys
Albright, Clayton — Attack (Tatnall) — Bucknell
Hess, Andrew — Attack (Tatnall) — (senior)
Kuderka, John — Midfield (Salesianum) — Penn State
Manos, Mark — Goalie (Salesianum) — (junior)
Mellor, Dean — Attack (Wilmington Friends) — McDaniel
Wright, William — Defense (Cape Henlopen) — Lynchburg
Girls
Carpenter, Elizabeth — Midfield (Cape Henlopen) — Virginia Tech
Holbrook, Anne Behle — Midfield (St. Andrew's) — Gettysburg
Delaware Academic All-Americans in 2007
Boys
Custer, Michael — (Dover)
Lee, S.J. — Attack (St. Andrew's)
Willey, Michael — Attack/Midfield (Cape Henlopen)
Girls
Caldwell, Alexa — Midfield (Saint Andrews) — Brown
Carpenter, Elizabeth — Midfield (Cape Henlopen) — Virginia Tech
Collison, Catherine — (Alexis I. DuPont)
Cox, Alicia — (Caesar Rodney)
Drummond, Courtney — (Archmere Academy)
Fox, Alicia — (Caesar Rodney)
Gerdts, Madison — (Alexis I. DuPont)
Hearne, Jade — (Alexis I. DuPont)
Ianni, Lauren — (Tower Hill)
Kim, Chrissy — (Alexis I. DuPont)
McLauglin, Eileen — (Brandywine)
Starr, Caitlin — (Alexis I. DuPont)
Strowhouer, Kelsey — (Brandywine)
Teruya, Anna — (Tower Hill)
Travellas, Mahi — (Tower Hill)
Travellas, Myra — (Tower Hill)
Tumas, Grier — (Tower Hill)
Whittaker, Cori — (Brandywine)
D. Matt Dale covers Delaware for MaxPreps.com. He may be reached at dmdale.del@gmail.com.
