It was a great first day for the Hoggers. After traveling from across the US and Canada down to sunny Florida this morning, NMH got in its first practice of the year with a full complement of players this afternoon. The team had three runs last week before classes ended, but due to the hockey team’s fantastic end-of-season run, nine players were kept from starting lacrosse so that they could focus on the end of their winter season. With that behind them, though, the boys hit the field ready to play today.
The afternoon session gave the group the opportunity to work on some basic skills and to shake the rust off, but surprisingly and impressively, there was not too much to speak of. The boys got some half-field scrimmaging in with a basic offensive set and a defensive slide package in preparation for their scrimmage this evening with the Memphis University School.
MUS arrived a few days ago and had a bit of an advantage in terms of preparation time. Things got off to an inauspicious beginning as the MUS goalie went end-to-end on the opening play of the game to score and get them on the board. NMH settled down nicely, however, and the two teams initiated a hard-fought, tooth-and-nail, back-and-forth fight.
Offensively, NMH received goals from eight different scorers. Captain Charlie Dickey ’10 (Hanover, NH) along with Casey Kermes ’12 (Harrisburg, PA) and Joey DiTommaso ’10 (Hubbard, OH) set the tone with two goals apiece. Without much work on the offense, the NMH team focused on creativity, which carried them far. Also jumping into the offense with significant contributions were attackmen Jon Sucese ’10 (Fairport, NY) and Noah Futterman ’10 (Worcester, MA), each involving themselves in the scoring and creating good chances with and without the ball. Also earning quality minutes in his first action with NMH was JP Josi ’13 (Kentfield, CA), who improved by leaps and bounds with the experience.
In the midfield, NMH received strong performances from a host of players across the board at both ends of the field. In addition to DiTommaso, Joe Dolben ’10 (Reading, MA), Nik Nugnes ’12 (West Barnstable, MA), James Malloy ’11 (Uxbridge, ON), Gamble Morrison ’10 (Portsmouth, NH), Andrew Cole ’12 (Wilmette, IL), and Jeremy Kuney ’10 (McLean, VA) all chipped in offensively and contributed to the scoring. This group was also able to put in some quality minutes defensively and, on many occasions, jump-start the transition game. Seeing their first minutes as Hoggers were Max Adler ’13 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Galen Karlan-Mason ’12 (Guilford, VT), each of whom was able to build confidence and get involved in all aspects of midfield play. Adler also shared face-off responsibilities with Jeremy Kuney, making each a fighting chance for NMH.
Defensively, the Hoggers were led by a strong showing from goalie Galen Kuney ’10 (McLean, VA), who had more than a dozen saves. In front of him, eight players saw time rotating between close defense and long-stick midfield. In all, it was a very patient and hard-fought defensive showing, as the group showed uncharacteristic composure for its first contest of the season. Great communication and ground ball work were key to this success. Ratsienhahiens Adams ’11 (Akwesasne, NY), Gus Potter ’10 (Bedford, NY), Nick Sheets ’10 (Encinitas, CA), and Josh Woody ’10 (Sunderland, MD) did a terrific job with the close defense position, while Tucker Kavanagh ’12 (Andover, MA), Finlay Miller ’10 (Waterbury, VT), Sean Cirbus ’10 (Bemus Point, NY), and Brian Plungis ’10 (Cherry Hill, NJ) all ably contributed up and down the field at LSM.
In all, it was a great first contest of the season. We were a bit apprehensive of how the guys would get back into the swing of things with only one practice under their belts, but it was great to see the passion and intensity they brought through all four quarters.
Now, looking ahead, they will get a quick night’s sleep before heading out for another scrimmage tomorrow morning, this time with Williston-Northampton, which is finishing up its week of preseason preparation. It should be another good contest to continue gearing up for the season! Thanks go out to our intrepid group of fans who supported us from the sidelines as well as to Memphis University School for their classy play.
Go Hoggers!
