GAME PHOTOS: http://bit.ly/2J7zGPw
The time has come for 11 seniors to decide how they will define their legacy. Now in their fourth year as a program, the second under the leadership of head coach Brad Savage, the Chardon Boys Lacrosse team will look to take the next step forward well at the same time suring up the future of the program.
The HIlltoppers finished the 2017 season with an 8-9 record losing to area stalwart Hawken in the first round of the playoffs. The 2017 season was the first season with a sponsored OHSAA tournament. Befor Chardon competed for two years as a club team in the OHSLA.
One sign of the growing consistency of the program came within a three-day span when Chardon won a pair of 1-goal games against long-standing programs from Cleveland Heights and Orange. The latter was an exciting 13-12 win over Orange at Memorial Stadium, one year after falling to the Lions, 10-6.
The Hilltoppers withstood a late charge from Orange to pick up the early season victory.
Nine of the 11 seniors have been part of the programs since its inception in 2015. This senior-laden squad is led by senior captain Tyler Wasovich, who is contemplating opportunities to play beyond high school including an offer from Division-II Walsh University.
Wasovich summed up the legacy this senior class would like to leave behind.
He simply said, “I don’t want to be the best class, I want to have our guys getting recruited by colleges, and leave a legacy of it sticking around, become a well-know program in the area.”
The Hilltoppers will be led offensively by Wasovich, Quinn Zhania, Danny Mansfield, and Brandon Frania.
The Hilltoppers have allowed an average of eight goals per game defensively.
This unit is led by a group of five seniors including: Devan Moses, Louie Monaco, Zack Kuminkoski, Anthony McMasters and captain Nate Blackney.
Monaco and Wasovich both spent most of the time as “FOGO” (Face-off Specialist) against Orange.
Another positive for the growth of the program is players earning opportunities to play in college. Savage said, “He expects four to five of the seniors to have opportunities to play collegiately whether club or varsity level.”
The next steps for the Chardon program after graduating 11 seniors this May is to integrate 14 freshman and sophomores into new roles. Freshman Goalie Matt Kloski will play a major role in the continued growth of the program.
Savage spoke highly of his young goalie saying his Lacrosse IQ is phenomenal and that is one thing you can’t teach. His willingness to work with us, his footwork is greatly improved. Sophomores Lucas Semler (LSM-D) and Cody Petersen (Midfielder) have also gained valuable experience this season.
Another major step is building a middle school program, this is being led by Gary Wasovich, who played an integral role in starting the high school program.
He said the program is currently recruiting a coach and athletes.
“Communities around here are getting on top, staying on top because of growth at the lower levels, middle school and elementary,” Savage said.
Youth Lacrosse opportunities have remained through a partnership with the Lake Erie Lightning program.
“We have football players, we just want athletes, put a stick in their hand and we will coach them up,” Savage said.
Last year the roster had 29 players this year, that number sits at 26 this season including six freshman. The consistency in numbers has been exciting, a next step because of that would be to add a junior varsity to allow younger players game experience.
For now the Hilltoppers will look to finish off the regular season looking to improve on their postseason performance from last season.
Importantly, seven of the final 10 games for the Hilltoppers will be against Division II Region 6 teams. They have six home games remaining including West Geauga on April 27 at Memorial Stadium, the two last played in April 2016.
