AREA TEAMS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT REACHING GOALS
Chelmsford looks to reload, Carmichael to fuel Westford
Last year 10 of the 15 area girls lacrosse teams qualified for the Massachusetts state tournament, but no team got past the Round of 16.
Six Sun All-stars return and will try to help their teams advance further in state tournament play — Westford’s Kassidy Carmichael (311 career points) and Evie Weber, Billerica’s Sara Macleod (214 career points), Chelmsford’s Tajia Bell, Groton-dunstable’s Jennaveve Koch (265 career points) and Tyngsboro’s goalie Claire Shambley (505 career saves).
In New Hampshire, Pelham is coming off an 11-win state tournament season.
Alvirne
League: NHIAA Div. 1 Captains: Makayla Meehan, sr., mid/def; Audriana Chipperini, jr., mid/att; Addison Lemore, jr., mid/att.
Returning letterwinners: Alexa Kruger, sr., goalie; Lidia Tolentino, sr., def/goalie; Rachel Stevens, sr., mid/def; Ava Biskaduros, sr., def/att; Adriana Reilly, jr., att; Victoria Chapman, jr., def; Kylie Grove, jr., att/mid; Reese Durkee, jr., def/goalie; Gianna Allison, jr., def; Jaliceanna Santiago, jr., att/mid.
Promising newcomers: Cadence Bice, so., util; Olivia Baptista, so., mid/att; Arianna Noel-millen, so., mid/att; Alanna Tardiff, so., mid/att; Emily Lopez-carrasco, so., att.
Coach Patrick Meehan (2nd season): “We are looking forward to this season. I have high hopes to better the team this year.”
Billerica
League: MVC
Last season: 8-12
Captains: Audrey Toce, sr., mid; Sara Macleod, jr., mid; Haleigh Cyrus, sr., def.
Returning letterwinners: Autumn Dwyer, sr., def; Sophia
Jannoni, jr., att; Mia Barros, jr., def/mid; Giovanna Gulinello, jr., att/mid; Kaylie Govoni, jr., def; Molly Fitzgerald, jr., att; Kaylie Sullivan, jr., def.; Grace Leyne, jr., att/mid; Keira Mackenzie, jr., def. Devynn Watford, jr., goalie; Cassandra Gallagher, so., att; Cora Lankowski, so., attack; Kendra Marino, so., mid; Maggie Jones, so., def. Samantha White, fr., goalie.
Promising newcomers: Ava O’connor, sr., attack; Josephine Whitten, so., mid; Catherine Patti, jr., mid; Madeline Medeiros, jr., def; Keera Conley, fr., mid.
Coach Ashley Tsoukalas (3rd season): “We have a solid returning group with great depth. The team plays extremely well together and enjoys the game. We are hoping to make some noise and showcase our talent and leadership skills. Our defense communicates well together and with a strong midfield and attack we plan to come out strong.”
Chelmsford
League MVC Div. 1
Last season: 15-5
Captains: Taija Bell, sr., def; Ava Balan, sr., mid.
Returning letterwinners: Ava Boucher, so., mid; Maddie Callahan, so., att; Catherine Craig, so., mid; Ella Fazio, so., mid; Reesse Hughes, so., def; Alyson Roark, so., def; Allie Bother, jr., def; Jenna Chiasson, jr., def; Julianna Lanzillo, jr., mid; Jill Martin, jr., att; Kat Morin, jr., att; Caroline Pitts, jr., mid; Maggie Huffman, sr., def; Mckenna Hughes, sr., mid.
Promising newcomers: Anna Bierwirth, fr., mid; Carly Hartman, fr., att; Eloise Sosnowski, fr., goalie; Caroline Treat, fr.; Avarie Lowe, so., att; Olivia Mcdonnell, so., def; Sienna Serpone, so., def.
Coach Ashley Rokas (9th season): “We have a lot of newcomers to our team. They all worked so hard in the offseason to bring
their game to the next level. The intensity and grit of these girls is going to help us win the close games this year.”
Dracut
League: MVC
Last season: 4-14 Captains: Samantha Teneriello, sr., mid/att; Giuliann Rossetti, sr., attack.
Returning letterwinners: Mia Sirois, jr., att; Lily Cockerline, jr., def; Naomi Cote, jr.; Olivia Desruisseaux, so., goalie; Ava O’brien, so., attack; Payton Deyoung, so., defense; Kayla Dubey, so.; Anna Simpson, so.
Promising newcomers: Alexia Hudon, 8th, att; Kelsey Hudon, 8th, def; Caitlin Ritchie, 8th, att; Emily Feeney, 8th, def.
Coach Vanessa Porter (5th season): “We have a solid group of returners that are eager to hit the field together. They have put a lot of work in during preseason. I am excited to see them in action.”
Greater Lowell Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 10-8 Returning letterwinners: Emma Finch, jr., att/mid; Julia Canario, sr., mid/def; Kristina Nocco, sr., att; Nayare Burato, sr., att; Nahliyah Amarante, sr., mid; Tyra Medina, sr., mid; Atiana Noeuk, sr., att; Sophia Antonellis, sr., mid/def; Addison Carbone, jr., mid; Kathleen Fernandes, jr., def.
Promising newcomers: Julia Dunfey, fr., goalie; Meghan Lesniak, fr., mid.
Coach Julio Pastrana (3rd season): “We lost some key defensive players from last year’s successful season which are going to be tough to replace, but on the other hand we have a handful of promising freshman. If we can get our newcomers and last year’s players to bond early we will have a good season, but it all starts with our defense.”
Groton-dunstable/ Ayer-shirley
League: Mid-wach B Last season: 10-9 Captains: Jennaveve Koch, sr., att; Hannah Stark, sr., mid; Mira Mahmoud, sr., def; Carley Ehwa, jr., att; Annabelle Shreve, jr., att.
Returning letterwinners: Grace Cornila, sr., def; Charlotte Guziejka, sr., goalie; Lily O’neill, sr., def; Ava Buchmann, jr., def; Olivia Smith, jr., mid; Maleah Figueroa, jr., def; Ariana Ghamsari, jr., def; Jenny Davis, jr., att; Elena Patalano, jr., attack; Madison Leone, jr., def; Iris Stubblefield, jr., mid/def; Camryn Lesser, jr., att; Finley Clinton, so., def; Madeline Keith, so., def; Aubrey Stark , so., def; Sloane Casavecchia, so., mid.
Promising newcomers: Katerina Cobleigh, fr., mid; Samantha Duffy, fr., mid.
Coach Carl Koch (2nd season): “I believe that we are heading in the right direction and have established great leadership and a strong work ethic from our seniors and returning players. We only lost two seniors and key starters from last year’s team. All the hard work we put into last year is going to create a strong team culture and hopefully bring a successful season.”
Littleton
League: Mid-wach D Last season: 10-8 Captains: Corrine Carroll, sr., def; Brooke O’brien, jr., mid; Kailey Hannon, jr., mid.
Promising newcomers: Lily Rogers, sr., goalie; Taryn O’brien, fr., att.; Margaret Crowley, so., mid.; Emma Dressel, jr., att; Reaghan Donovan, jr., mid; Sophie Blaine, so., mid/att; Amanda Brissenden, so., att; Eva Leimantaite, so., att; Olivia Olsom, jr., def; Hailey Rogers, so., att; Olivia Gordon, jr., def.; Elizabeth Marrese, so., def; Nina Lapenta, fr., att; Diyansha Rout, so., att; Grace Manser, so., def.
Coach Sean Sullivan (1st season): “We lost six starting seniors from last year, but have a solid stable of returning players. I feel like we will put a very competitive product on the field.”
Lowell
League: MVC Div. 2
Last season: 2-18 Captains: Jacqueline Peirce, sr., mid; Erin Asselin, sr., def; Sara Skaff, sr., goalie; Isabella Goncalves, sr., def.
Other returning letterwinners: Alanna Cohen, so., def; Annika Couliard, sr., att; Keanalee Fuentes, jr., mid; Diana Heung, sr., att; Alena Im, sr., mid; Princess Onyenwe, sr., def; Abigail Rillovick, sr., att; Mia Simuang, jr., mid; Alyanna Mom, so., def.
Promising newcomers: Alita Gulizia, fr., att; Lola Haley, sr., def; Quinn Mcdonald, fr., att.
Coach Jackie Verzone (2nd season): “We’re excited and looking forward to this season. We have all of our starters returning and a large number of new players, so we’re hoping for a different outcome than last year. The girls are enthusiastic and ready to be competitive this season.”
Lowell Catholic
League: CAC
Last season: 7-9 Captains: Lily Hugo, sr., def; Reese Geary, sr., def.
Returning letterwinners: Emma Mcbournie, sr., att; Rylie Hogan, sr., mid; Avery Tucker, sr., goalie; Elisyn Morey, jr., mid; Sofia Pescatore, jr., mid; Raquel Rego, jr., def.
Promising newcomer: Janae Holmes, 7th.
Coach Sarah Mallahan (1st season): “As the season approaches, Lowell Catholic’s coaching staff looks to focus on rebuilding and fundamentals. With two new coaches and two returning coaches, the team is ready to work hard to improve skills and have a fun season with a new focus.”
Nashoba Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 8-8 Captains: Maddie Darlington, sr., mid; Cassidy Bilawchuk, sr., attl Samantha Richards, so., mid.
Returning letterwinners: Alex Butters, sr., def; Emily Garcia, sr., att/def; Amber King, jr., goalie; Peyton Lupoli, jr., def; Delaney Auger, so., mid; Alanna Alden, so., att; Paige Duby, so., mid.
Promising newcomers: Grace Calvagno, so., def; Brooklyn Kluck, fr., att; Audra Dicicco, fr., def; Kali Christakos, fr., att; Ava Cozzolini, fr., att; Zaria Rivera, fr., def; Isabella Soto, fr., att; Eva Thielo, fr., att.
Coach Jim Peirce (1st season): “We are returning a young and athletic team. We had a decent amount of underclassmen try out with all different skill levels but they have a high ceiling and they’ve been working very hard so far. We also have great senior leadership. I’m excited to see how our team develops this season.”
North Middlesex
League: Mid-wach C Last season: 7-12 Captains: Ashley Smith, sr., def; Faith Mazza, sr., att; Shannon Nadeau, sr., goalie/def.
Returning letterwinners: Maddy Rausch, sr., def; Ava Rousseau, sr., def; Bella Young, jr., mid/att; Sofia Caldwell, jr., mid/att; Rylie Stevens, jr., def; Maddie Johnson, jr., att; Marleigh
Campbell, so., def.
Promising newcomers: Abby Lenart, sr., def; Olivia Freeman, sr., att; Sarah Swartz, fr., mid/att; Meredith Southard Pantano, fr., mid/att; Sienna Walkovich, fr., mid/def; Kara Bennet, fr., mid/att; Mallory Craver, fr., mid.
Coach Kelly Marciano (4th season): “We have a lot of young talent. We are improving every day and working hard. We have a challenging schedule with three games a week through April. Our numbers are stronger this year so we have more depth, which is a plus. Our young kids have good playing experience as well as our veteran players so reaching district play is our goal.”
Pelham
League: NHIAA Div. 2 Last season: 11-6 Returning letterwinners: Kate Burke, sr., mid; Makayla Cruz, sr., def; Sophia Joncas, sr., mid; Jillian Leblanc, sr., mid; Zoe Maxwell, sr., def; Addie Breault, jr., goalie; Alexis Breault, jr., mid; Katherine Carroll, jr., att; Morghan Swiniarski, jr., def; Ella Desimone, so. att.
Coach John Fichera (10th season): “The Lady Pythons go back to work on a team focused approach to both offense and defense this spring. The objective of having a balanced offense will drive Pelham’s team goals for 2024.”
Shawsheen Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 10-7 Returning letterwinners: Alyssa Costantielo, jr., att; Elizabeth Ferguson, jr., att; Pieris Fowler, jr., att. Adriana Kepple, jr., att; Madeline Long, jr., def.; Fiona Rexford, jr., mid; Judith Sloman, jr., mid; Mia Vach, jr., goalie; Alexis Fox, sr., mid; Emerson Glover, sr., def; Morgan Glover, sr., def; Emma Mcdermott, sr., def; Natalia Portillo-pitta, sr., def; Riley Rourke, sr., mid.
Promising newcomers: Cera Salter, so, mid; Tatum Mcdonald, sr., att.
Coach Maggie Moro (1st season): “We have an amazing group of athletes who are ready to get out on the field. The enthusiasm on the team is palpable. This is a new beginning for a lot of them, ready to turn the leaf and get to work.”
Tewksbury
League: MVC
Last season: 7-13 Captains: Kat Schille, sr., att; Mackenzie Hickey, sr., mid; Ava Nordbruch, sr., att; Addy Tanguay, jr., att.
Returning letterwinners: Emma Giordano, sr., def; Skylar Auth, sr., att; Reilley Whalen, sr., att; Tea Nickerson, sr., def; Paige Crowley, jr., att; Emily Picher, jr., mid; Julia Moura, jr, att; Sarah Doherty, jr., mid; Alivia Ronan, jr., def; Maddie Duggan, jr., def; Kallie Frechette, jr., def; Grace Willey, jr., mid; Reese Maniscalco, jr., att; Lydia Barnes, so., goalie.
Promising newcomers: Jennalise Mercer, so., def; Kamryn Frechette, so., def/att; Keira Gaffney, jr., att; Abigail Solemina, jr., att.
Coach Erin Murphy (6th season): “The girls have been working really hard in the offseason through different summer and winter leagues as well as time with me in the weight room. The program is also led by four amazing young ladies this season who each bring a level of organization, discipline and overall joy to the team.”
Tyngsboro
League: Mid-wach D Last season: 13-7 Captains: Claire Shambley, sr., goalie; Rachel Savoie, sr., def.
Returning letterwinners: Ava Lanzillo, sr., def; Bella Adams, jr., mid; Grace Angelo, jr., mid; Katelyn Fugazzotto , jr., def; Lilian Gikas, jr., att; Katie Guilmette, jr., mid; Anna Poulios, jr., att; Lily Guthrie, so., att; Isabella Hastings, so., att; Gianna Mackenzie, so., def; Grace Mauti, so., def.
Promising newcomers: Mia Dragoumanos, fr., att; Malin Ljung, jr., def; Caitlyn Ferguson, fr., def; Macy Serrano, fr., att; Emma Lacrosse, 8th, att; Sydney Voiatzoglou, 8th., def; Kayla Freelove, 8th, mid.
Coach Jackie Richardson (1st season): “I think we are going to have a great season. We have some great talent on both sides of the field and in the net with our returning four-year goalie, Claire Shambley. We are looking forward to this season and plan on working hard.”
Westford Academy
League: DCL Large
Last season: 11-7 Captains: Molly Harding, sr., def; Kassidy Carmichael, jr., mid; Erin Keefe, jr., def/mid.
Returning letterwinners: Emma Chapman, so., mid; Olivia Cipriano, so., att; Evie Weber, so., (out for season injured); Sophia Williams, so., att.
Promising newcomers: Kiley Carmichael, fr., mid; Mia Cullen, fr., mid; Ava Preysnar, fr., goalie.
Coach Julie Olivier (14th season): “The start of the lacrosse season is always the best time of the year. We have two seniors on the team and seven returning varsity. It is a young team with a lot of energy, drive and upside. Our program has a long standing tradition of creating a family culture and fostering a fun, competitive environment.”
Wilmington
League: Middlesex League Freedom
Last season: 0-18 Captains: Abby Driscoll, sr., goalie; Shaylan Bresnahan, sr., def.; Lauryn Parr, sr., def; Maddie Sainato, sr., att; Gabby Kulevich, sr., att.
Returning letterwinners: Jill Collins, jr., mid; Arianna Cook, jr., def; Alle Delgenio, jr., def; Kiera Warford, jr., mid; Leah Murphy, so., att.
Promising newcomers: Cate Macdonald, so., mid; Hailey Spencer, so., mid; Dani Chillemi, fr., mid; Asya Canata, sr., mid; Paige Fuller, sr., att; Julee Sutton, sr., att.
Coach Chris Frissore (3rd season): “I expect us to improve from last year. We improved last year comparatively to the year before we had zero wins but half of our losses were within a few goals and at least six games we lost by one goal. That is improvement and we are looking to turn those one-goal games into our favor and pull out some more wins this year.”