2008 Notre Dame Academy Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Outlook

After a banner year for the program, including victories in three championship games (VISAA Division II State, Maryland Independent Lacrosse League (MILL) and Cavalier Athletic Conference (CAC), the Notre Dame Academy boys’ varsity team is poised for an inspired 2008 campaign.  After concluding the year with an 18-2 record, three championships, ten all-league selections, five all-state picks, and two high school All-Americans, we made a conscience decision to push the borders of our competitiveness and athleticism.  Beginning in 2008, Notre Dame Academy will participate at the VISAA Division I level.  This will afford the program and  players the opportunity to challenge themselves each week against superior competition.  In addition, players within the program will garner greater attention and notoriety by collegiate programs. 

On offense, the Dragons lost a few keys players, including High School All-American Devin Pinkston (Presbyterian College).  As a result, a group of talented attackmen are vying for starting spots this season.   Senior John Cummings brings a solid season of varsity lacrosse as well as fantastic stick skills to the forefront.  Junior transfers Tyler Fisher and Ethan Wright both will look to make immediate impacts within the attack unit this spring.  Fisher possesses a very fluid stick, strong left-hand, and excellent finishing skills.  Ethan Wright comes equipped with a tremendous motor, off-ball movement, and finishing abilities around the cage.  In addition to these gentlemen, sophomore and former JV standout , David Sterling looks to figure prominently in the rotation on the crease this year.

In addition to the firepower and talent at the attack position, the 2008 Dragons return a deep and extremely talented group of midfielders.  Four blue chip seniors headline the corps of middies in 2008; namely, David Miller (University of Maryland), Will Fields (Navy), Travis Weidlein (Washington College), and Matt Manzo (Lynchburg College).  Team co-captain David Miller returns after a High School All-American,  First-team All-State, All-MILL, and All-CAC year.  Will Fields has developed into one of the most dominant face-off players in the country, and adds an additional offensive punch to the Dragons lineup.  In addition, junior transfer Alex Nieves offers an explosive dodging ability and superior field vision to challenge any and all long stick players not focusing on the four seniors standouts.  In addition to the aforementioned players, the future looks incredibly bright for the Dragon midfield with senior Mike Renzi, junior James Quinly, and sophomores Kevin Sherman, Nick Fletcher, Oliver Martin.

At defense, the Dragons display a mixture of youth and talent.  At the core of the close defense are two juniors and a senior.  Senior Andrew Larson is the general of the defense, and adds skill, intelligence and tenacity to the position.  Junior Matt Miller has turned into one of the best defensemen in the country, and will cover our opponent's best offensive threat.  Junior Robby Taylor will make the transition from LSM to close defense after an excellent summer of play.   In addition, the Dragons defense is complemented by additional talented players, including seniors Ian Taylor, and Mark Forgues,  juniors Matt Entsminger and Jason Herpy, as well as talented freshman Rob Lawson-Shanks. 

With stalwart Stephen Ide now manning the pipes at Washington College, the boys' varsity team will look to two goalies for leadership this spring.  Senior Pat Stein returns after a stellar season of JV play, while sophomore transfer Regan Washer will look to push Pat for the job.  Both young men are highly regarded, and will play pivotal roles for the defense this season.

With a fierce Division I schedule in the books, the Dragons are determined to test the limits of their intensity, competitiveness, and heart this season.  It is with great confidence, as well as months of preparation that the 2008 Notre Dame Academy boys’ varsity squad enters the spring season. 
 
Previous Years (2007)