This year’s 2010 boys’ varsity lacrosse team competed admirably at the highest level in New England Prep School lacrosse.   With ten players returning from last year’s roster, the 2010 squad knew that the secret to this season would be hard work and perseverance.  The Wildcats struggled early in the season, but progress was apparent with each passing day.  A good mix of experienced older players, talented younger rookies, and a can do determination gave the Wildcats the skill and spirit necessary to go into every game with confidence and high expectations.  The team’s positive attitude and competitive drive was recognized by all as the Wildcats were awarded the Bill Pottle Northern New England Lacrosse League Sportsmanship award for 2010.

Two successive one goal losses against rivals NMH and Holderness at midseason did not dampen their spirit. In the season’s final week, the Wildcats beat New Hampton 14-6 to avenge an earlier 11-5 loss and then lost to a very talented Tabor Academy 9-8 in the final minutes of play.  KUA finished the season with a 5-9 record. Three year varsity player and team captain Ben Hayden was awarded the Chris Koval Award and All-league honorable mention honors. Senior Tommy Harrison was awarded the Herbert Joslyn Award and was selected to play in the senior East-West Division I All-star game.  Juniors Kevin Vieira and Drew Simoneau were also named NNELL All-Stars. Simoneau was also honored with the “Tough as Nails” Ground Ball Hog award.  Three year varsity team members Franklin Boswell-Taylor and Cullen Boyle, along with two year graduating seniors Michael Maggiore and Nathan Braginetz, BK Chun and post graduate Josh Rombach factored heavily in this year’s success.  Boyle was awarded the Bison Award and Maggiore earned the Most Improved Defensive Player recognition. Junior Chris Morse developed into an all around versatile player in the midfield, sharing face-off duties and playing in all situations from clears and rides to settled offense and extra man.  Newcomers to the team and to the sport, Ryan Cole and Dennis Kravchenko, put their athletic talents to valuable use this spring. Cole teamed up with Harrison and Vieira on close defense and Kravchenko stepped into the middie short pole defensive role and a dangerous dodging threat on offense.  Junior Sam Wyskiel came into his own late in the season and was selected as the team’s Most Improved Offensive Player. First year junior Spencer King proved his versatility rotating back and forth between long pole and close defense.  Juniors Sheldon Stansfield and Steve Schwarz practiced with the varsity and played with the JV squad throughout the season. 

Junior Miles Hancock was a force with his long pole in midfield, especially on face-offs and one on one situations, covering many of the top midfielders in the league. CJ Frates led the Wildcat attack with great hustle and heads up play around the net.  Max Abendroth missed half of the season with a nasty ankle sprain and returned to provide power and strength at attack. Abendroth was awarded the team’s rookie of the year. Sophomore Ian Timpone demonstrated the smoothest stick control and precision passing on the team. He found his rhythm this year and his potential grew noticeably with each passing day.  Sophomore Tim McNair demonstrated his athleticism and enthusiasm with his hard work and passion for the sport. Sophomore Joe Loftus made big plays at both ends of the field and gave the Wildcats the depth and experience they needed.  Josh Huett displayed great hands and position play and worked his way into the down a man rotation and a key member of the long pole unit.  Brett Gruber was solid in net in his role as the back-up keeper. He stepped against Tilton and allowed only 4 goals in his one start.  Post graduate Leslie Smith competed hard all year and scored the final goal of the 2010 season, a rocket blast over the Vermont Academy goalie’ shoulder.

The KUA boys’ varsity lacrosse team ended their 2010 season with a 10-4 victory over Vermont Academy.  After a sluggish start, the Wildcats got on the board and took a 4-1 lead at the end of the first. Four different scorers accounted for the home team’s goals. Max Abendroth netted the first off a feed from CJ Frates. Josh Rombach added the second after finishing a pass from Dennis Kravchenko.  Chris Morse snipped the third goal, again off a feed from Frates and then Frates scored one of his own off Kravchenko’s second assist of the game.  The offense stalled, however, in the second quarter and at the half, KUA’s lead was cut to 4-2. KUA got back on track in the third when Abendroth scored his second off a feed from defenseman Tommy Harrison. KUA extended its lead to 6-2 when Ben Hayden converted an Abendroth feed. Hayden followed up with his second goal moments later, this time unassisted. Frates would score the next two goals, both off feeds from Hayden. Les Smith scored his first goal of the season off a rocket shot from the high crease to end the game and seal a 10-4 KUA victory.

Michael Maggiore was sharp in the goal, recording 7 saves in the game.  

Following the KUA varsity’s 14-6 victory over New Hampton, 24 KUA Alumni limped onto the field for what turned out to be a late afternoon thriller.  Two teams were somehow carved evenly by coach Mike Cloutman. While most considered themselves attackmen, a few were coaxed to run midfield and play a bit of defense. As we all know, most of the action in lacrosse happens in transition, and this battle did not disappoint the many fans that stayed around after the varsity game. Highlights during the game included a rusty gate check by Chris Webber (’01) on brother Peter Webber (’05) and a hard hit by Jay Hayes (’96) on Cody Danforth (’08). Danforth, after realigning his spine, gathered to his feet and assured the multitude that he was OK.  Coach Russman took away Justin Wright’s (’09) right (and his game) but evidently Justin has been working on his left and sniped 8 hole on Justin Zoney (’06). Zonay, often times left alone with 1-0, 2-0, and the occasional 3-0, nonetheless held his ground and recorded numerous saves on the afternoon. At the other end, Jake Gray (’09) turned in an equally impressive performance until he abandoned his post at the half to try his hand at attack. Jon Romero (’96) Ben Fisher (’96) and Evan Thompson (’96) were just getting their timing down on attack as time expired at the end of the 4^th quarter. Had the game gone to overtime, they would have been lethal. Steve Kontos (’09) dominated the face-off circle and Kyle Curry (’09) ripped a few lefties for old time’s sake.  PJ Davey (’00) was not afraid to rip a few of his own and brothers Robin Liston (’01) and Scott Liston (‘00) both played with spirit and deft, each probably racking up goals and a few assists. Denning Coates (’00) displayed many graceful, yet futile attempts to drive to the goal and Peter Schieffelin’s (’96), reminiscent of his days as a Wildcat, displayed his stork-like strides on the fast break.  Converted Rugby player Rob Grant made his way back to the hilltop and showed much potential and Gabe Stein (’95) showed hustle and determination with multiple end to end runs of his own in the midfield.

Former middie Andrew Morgan (’08) and goalie Nate Cook (’01) both jumped in to play D-pole and showed they have not lost a step. Scott Schachter (’08), as much as my memory can recall, sniped at least one, probably two highlight goals, at least one a diving effort with nobody really on him but it looked sweet. Matt Parker (’08) threatened to hit a few men dodging into the crease area but controlled himself and merely smiled and grinned, leaving no doubt that he still owned the crease.  The final score, an 11-10 victory by the “black” pinnies over the “white” team, actually took on a bit of suspense as the score progressed from 8-8, 9-8, 9-9, 10-9, 10-10, and then finally 11-10 in the final 15 minutes.

All together, it was a great time for all. Coach Cloutman proposed forming a possible KUA alumni team, or two, to compete in the Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Classic in the summer of 2011. There are open, masters, and grand masters division. The tournament takes place annually in the first week of August. Please email Mike Cloutman at mcloutman@kua.org if you have any interest.

It was great to see so many of you on Saturday and equally nice to hear from many KUA alumni, many of whom continue to play at the college level. We will be adding some sleek features to the KUA website next year and there is certain to be an “Alumni in Action” page. In the meantime, best of luck to Zach Dayno and his Middlebury Panthers as they take on the Tufts Jumbos for a rematch of the NESCAC finals in the quarterfinals of the NCAA DIII tournament this Saturday.

Best to all,

Coach Russman