Mars boys must reload to win another state title

Mars completed what seemed like a slow climb up Mount Kilimanjaro last year when it became the first WPIAL team, regardless of gender or classification, to win a PIAA lacrosse title.

This year, however, the Planets may be trekking up Mount Everest as the boys will now be the first from the district to attempt a repeat at the state level.

With that that in mind, Mars is taking a wholly different approach to this season as compared to last.

“We’re not looking it as defending. This is a whole new team, a whole new season and a whole new group of guys,” Mars coach Bob Marcoux said. “We’re really focusing on this season as its own entity and accomplishing the most that this current team can accomplish.”

He’s not entirely wrong. Last season’s squad that defeated Marple Newtown, 9-6, to win the PIAA Class 2A title had four players who are now at Division I lacrosse programs.

Replacing that kind of talent, along with the leadership and desire they brought to the table after a 14-5 loss to Allentown Central Catholic in the 2021 state final, will be difficult to replace.

Difficult, but not impossible.

“The thing about 2021 and 2022 is we were bringing back pretty much the same team and we came just a few goals short in that championship game,” Marcoux said. “We were absolutely using ’21 as motivation for ’22. But losing the talent level of that senior class, we’re really focusing on what this team can accomplish.”

It’s not like graduation left the cupboard bare. Mars would still have to be considered a prohibitive favorite to win its seventh consecutive WPIAL Class 2A title and make a significant run in the state tournament.

Junior Vincenzo Grieco, who scored two goals in the state final and 12 in the past three state tournament games overall, has committed to play at Penn State.

His older brother, senior goalkeeper Jonathan, was named player of the game in the state final after he made an incredible save in the waning moments to preserve what was, at the time, an 8-6 Planets lead with less than two minutes remaining.

“Enzo is an absolute beast, and he’s going to be getting a lot of attention from teams, that’s for sure,” Marcoux said. “Jonathan is really a great leader and did a lot for the program in the offseason to get the team ready.”

Junior faceoff specialist Jack McKenzie has already committed to play at Maryland-Baltimore County.

“We have a lot of players in completely different roles,” Marcoux said. “We have a ton of talent, I’m not going to downplay that, but this will be a completely different team.”

Here is a look at some of the other boys and girls teams to watch in other classifications:

Class 3A boys

Shady Side Academy won the title last year and has to be considered a strong candidate to repeat with the return of senior attacker J.P. Henry and senior midfielder Ethan Salvia, who have both already signed to play at Marquette.

In addition, the Bulldogs also have junior attacker Mac Mohn, who is heading to play at Harvard, as well as a Division I prospect in junior goalkeeper Nicholas Anderson.

North Allegheny, which was the No. 4 seed in the playoffs last year, could potentially challenge if it can put it all together.

The Tigers will be led by senior midfielder and St. Leo ( Fla.) recruit Marc Barolomucci, senior longstick midfielder Marco Pascarella, who is headed to Utah, and senior defender Sean Boal, who is committed to Baldwin Wallace.

Mt. Lebanon, which was the top seed in the finals last year and lost to Shady Side Academy in the championship, will rely heavily on midfielder Devin Prettyman, a Wesleyan recruit.

Class 3A girls

It’s no secret Mt. Lebanon was wroth after losing to Shady Side Academy in the championship game for the second consecutive year.

But if there’s one thing the Blue Devils can do, it’s reload.

“I’m excited about this season,” Mt. Lebanon coach Brian Kattan said. “I graduated a lot of great seniors last year, but I think we have a lot of good underclassmen who are ready to step up and play.”

That list of underclassmen begins with junior AllAmerican Addie Murdoch, who was the only sophomore from the WPIAL named to the list last year.

There will also be another Murdoch, Quinn, who likely will start as a freshman.

Shady Side Academy lost quite a bit after last year. Not only did Cecelia Messner and Jennifer Woodings graduate, but longtime head coach Katy Phillips left the school and former Mt. Lebanon assistant Sarah Lamphier has taken over the Bulldogs.

Class 2A girls

Chartiers Valley pulled off the ultimate surprise last season when it dominated 2021 champion Mars, 17-6, in a running-clock victory.

It could certainly happen again as the Colts return their best player from last year, sophomore Juliana Betts, who had seven goals and three assists in the championship game.

Mars, however, shouldn’t be overlooked and has a loaded lineup once again.

This year the team will be led by senior midfielder Charlotte Stamper, a Duquesne recruit, as well as junior Mya Cote, a St. Joseph’s recruit.