Some names have changed but the results could be the same as the Carroll County boys lacrosse scene takes on a new look with three new head coaches.
Leading the way is South Carroll first-year man Jeff Alisauckas, who will try to pick up where former coach Gene Brown left off as the Cavaliers look to win their eighth straight county title. With a solid group back, they appear to be in good shape to do just that.
Liberty, under new coach Troy Barnes, could surprise with a solid group back, particularly up front with five experienced seniors. North Carroll will look for a fresh start under new coach Tom Davidson, who's had plenty of success as an assistant with the Panthers' strong wrestling and softball programs.
Westminster coach Jim Peters is the lone veteran in the county entering his 13th season as the Owls' head coach. The Owls are coming off a banner 9-3 season with a senior-laden team from last year. He'll rely on an experienced midfield to carry much of the load while the young Owls' attack and defenders get adjusted.
Liberty
Call it a changing of the guard.
For the past three years, new Liberty coach Troy Barnes was former coach Jim Langrall's right-hand man. This year, the roles have reversed.
"We've had a close working relationship the last three years. We've always made decisions together and the biggest change is he had the final decision before and now I have it," Barnes said.
"The relationship hasn't really changed any; we're just trading places."
The Lions have a strong cast of veteran players returning with 14 of the 25 varsity players being seniors.
Barnes is looking for more balance this season offensively and has five solid attackers to get the job done.
Mark Aprile, Jon Cougnet, Brendon Bengermino, Tony DeLuca and Brian Trone are seniors. They'll look to offset the production of graduated Ross Yastrzemsky, who had 27 goals and 28 assists as a repeat first-team all-county selection in 1993.
"We want every man touching the ball being a threat," Barnes said.
"We don't want to have to rely on just one or two guys. We want to make opposing defenses respect everyone."
That also goes with the Lions' midfield. Barnes will have three lines running at midfield with experienced players on each line.
Seniors Justin Cross, Bill Nichols and Grant Goodwin are back from last year's team and Barnes is high on fellow senior Jason Dunbar, who played defense on the junior varsity as a sophomore. Barnes said senior Steve Reigel and Goodwin are the "lightning on the team."
"We're relying on everyone to not only score some goals, but also play strong transition between the restraining lines," Barnes said.
The defense looks solid with senior Paul Lichtinger returning in goal and Chris Grubb also back in front of him. Juniors Matt Piechocki, Chris Ridgely and Chris Younger all have played two years at the junior varsity level and appear ready to make the transition.
North Carroll When former coach Chris Kraft unexpectedly resigned from his post less than three weeks before the start of the season, the shuffling began at North Carroll.
That's where Tom Davidson comes in, a former assistant softball coach under the now retired Phil Bonnell who was supposed to take over his reign.
Instead, Davidson will fill the void left behind by Kraft and is excited about the prospects of a solid season.
"Everyone is very positive and they've responded smoothly," Davidson said.
"I've never played the game, my brothers always played and I was a big fanatic. As the year's went by, I went to some clinics, but always played baseball."
Davidson has a veteran cast to work with, led by senior Sam Seashole, who returns up front as the team's leading scorer. Steve Redmer and Chad Vrany are also back from last year's squad with Marc Cross -- who returned to the area after transferring from Vermont -- also a welcome addition. He was in the North Carroll program as a freshman. All three are seniors and Davidson is looking for leadership and scoring from each.
"I think they can do the trick," Davidson said.
"They all show good stickwork and have good ball movement."
The midfield also is senior-laden with Davidson relying on two key lines.
Seniors Bryan Tayman, Blaine Cover and Grant Gibson comprise the first line. Senior Jason Hale teams with juniors Damien Deiaco and Bryan Cutair on the second line. Davidson said the two are interchangeable.
"The senior midfield is a pretty close-knit group and we don't lose anything with the second group," Davidson said.
"We're hoping for scoring from a lot of different people, which is everyone's dream, and we'll be in great shape."
The defense is young with a pair of juniors -- Bert Magladry and Bill Beltz -- leading the way with senior Tom Bosley also starting. Bosley is a first-year lacrosse player after playing baseball his first three years.
Who will be in the cage remains a concern for Davidson with
junior Clint Shamer and sophomore Randy Sullivan vying for the spot. Shamer played some for the junior varsity last season, and Sullivan only has recreation league experience.
"That's still up in the air. If we can find some decent goaltending, we should be OK," Davidson said.
"Magladry and Beltz have enough knowledge and Bosley is a good athlete with a lot speed. We'll also look for some help defensively from our midfield."
South Carroll South Carroll's new head coach Jeff Alisauckas understands the pressures of taking over a successful program.
The Cavaliers have a string of seven straight county titles and eight consecutive region playoff appearances under former coach Gene Brown and Alisauckas is confident the trend will continue.
"There's pressure. I know I'm filling big shoes; Gene Brown is a great coach," Alisauckas said.
"I have a lot of the same philosophies as Gene Brown and I'm not going to change much. I also think I can add some things with the knowledge I have. Having been here three years really helps. We have a great group of parents at South Carroll that are behind me 100 percent."
FTC Alisauckas has plenty to work with up front with the entire starting attack back from last year's 12-2 squad.
Junior Tom Luster was a first-team all-county performer as a sophomore with 28 goals and seven assists. Seniors Greg Blair and Adam Whittington also return to make up the strongest attack in the county going into the season.
"It's a nice feeling knowing every time out you're going to get the ball in the cage a couple of times," Alisauckas said.
"They're all quick thinkers on their feet and make things happen."
Last season, the Cavaliers relied heavily on an experienced midfield to score goals and play strong defense. Four midfielders who made all-county honors have graduated, leaving a void. Alisauckas is confident he has the players to pick up the slack with a solid group of juniors.
Senior Raj Sureja is the lone returning midfield. He will be teamed with juniors Dan Hughes and John Eaton, who switches from attack, to comprise the starting line.
Juniors Brian Eybs, Jeremy Teppig, Martin Oswiecinka and Daryl Barnum are vying to play on the second line along with sophomore Dave Price.
"They are young and it's the first year of varsity for most," Alisauckas said.
"But I'm confident they're mature enough to play at the varsity level. They all have strong stick skills and are good thinkers."
The defense starts with senior Matt Wilson and ends with senior goalie Clay Arthur. Wilson was a second-team all-county player last season and Arthur shined when he got playing time behind the graduated Chris Nave, a first-team all-county pick. Senior Josh Rockwell and junior Jeremy Esworthy will start alongside Wilson on defense.
Junior goalie Tom Shaffer also has impressed and gives the Cavaliers the same kind of depth in goal they had last year with Nave and Arthur.
Westminster
The other three lacrosse-playing county schools are going into this season with new head coaches, but no team may be in more of a transition year than Jim Peters' Westminster Owls.
The Owls have an all new attack and only one returnee back on defense from last year's 9-3 team. Peters is relying heavily on a veteran midfield corps to carry the Owls this season.
"We have to change our philosophy," Peters said.
"You have to find the team's personality and make the changes needed to fit with what you have to work with. We need to have our midfield handle the ball for us and take control. Last year, we could drop it to our three seniors and let them go with it."
The three seniors Peters is referring to are John Bolesta, Jim Zoulias and Chris Ahrens. The three combined to score 91 goals and 55 assists for the Owls last season.
Senior Mark Mariaca and junior Paul Binetti are both returning starters at midfield and will be joined by senior Mike Manella, who returns after transferring for one year at Calvert Hall.
"Mariaca, Binetti and Manella will have to step up," Peters said. "If they click, we'll click."
Seniors Adam Tozer, Jason Duderar and Sean Donovan also return and likely will make up the Owls' second midfield line.
The attack is talented, but inexperienced. Junior Mark Ruby will move up front after seeing time at midfield last year and Peters also is relying on sophomore newcomers Dave Hare and Dave Baker. Junior Bryan Beninghove also will see plenty of time in his first season at the varsity level.
"Those [graduated] kids just grew in talent and we hope to see the same from some of our sophomores," Peters said.
"Each offer their own neat little things. Dave Hare is a big kid who's a good solid athlete and Dave Baker is a real smart kid and reminds me a little of Jim Zoulias with his decision-making ability."
Senior Jon Lee will have to take control in back as the only defender with varsity experience. Junior Jae Wah also returns in goal and will provide much-needed direction. Peters will look to juniors Ben Heslin and Jeff Leppert -- both junior varsity starters last year -- and sophomore Brooks Weaver.
"Jon Lee is physically tough and will provide leadership," Peters said. "He knows his role and understands the system well."
"We'll have to play with more of a team concept. We don't have the individuals to match the talents of a Mike Bolesta or Paul Orvis and their one-on-one abilities," Peters said.