Season Outlook For 2003
The 2003 lacrosse team will be led by a solid group of returning veterans, a very strong group of new players, and some key players moving up from last year's successful JV team.

The entire starting attack from 2002 graduated, and this included three of Exeter's four top scorers. All-American Alan Eberstein is playing well in the midfield position for Butler, big Casey D'Annolfo is looking good at Tufts, and key veterans and co-captains Ryan Voccola and Colin Thune also graduated. Postgraduate Michael Hines, All-American from St John's Prep in 2002, looks to be the explosive scorer we need to replace Alan Eberstein. The coaches are also looking for big things from last year's rookie of the year Tom Petty. He has worked hard the entire off-season, and we expect Tom to be a major impact player this year. Another major contributor at attack will be Sloan Smith who is making the switch from midfield. In addition, the coaches expect significant contributions from two newcomers from Maine in Ryan Beer and Eric Horan. Both Ryan and Eric have excellent size and athleticism to make them dangerous weapons. Cagey veteran John Rollo will also see some significant playing time at attack, and last year's JV attack stars Alex Silverman and Connor Seery should also be able to provide some offensive punch. Overall, the attack is in excellent shape.

The midfielders will be led by co-captains Gavin Nurick and Suresh Jones. Both Gavin and Suresh have experience as first line middies from last year, and they are expected to increase their offensive production in 2003. In addition, returning players Ryan Ambs, Taylor Evans, and Bobby Goulding all played significant minutes last year and will play even more important roles this season. The coaches are expecting new players James Montalvo, Chris Mottau, Kirk Bansak, and Michael Scalise will all be impact players this year. Ryan Beer will also play midfield. So, despite graduating Peter Monroe who is playing well at W&L and faceoff phenom Wyatt Golding, Exeter should be deep and strong in the middle of the field.

Exeter will be extremely strong in the defensive end of the field. Newcomers Wiley Dornseif, Stew Stout, and Will Tuttle join with returning veterans Tom Rubel and Jon Reed to give Exeter a BIG, athletic, and experienced group of defenders. Speedy long pole middie Curtis Fontaine is expected to move up from the JV and also make a significant contribution as is new long pole middie Gus Davidson. JV starter Julian Rodier looks very good in the goal, and he seems more than ready to make the transition to varsity level play. Newcomer Eric Hassett '05 should prove to be a very capable backup to Julian. Overall, the 2003 team has the potential to be one of the best teams in all of New England. With some new opponents that include western powerhouses Avon Old Farms and Loomis Chaffee, the Big Red has perhaps the most difficult schedule in all of prep school lacrosse. It will take hard work, determination, and excellent team play to succeed against such high level competition. The coaches feel that this 2003 team is definitely up to the task.

The team starts off with the Choate Jamboree on Saturday, March 29th, and has its first game versus Kennebunk HS on Wed., April 2nd. Click here to see the entire 2003 schedule.

It should be another great year for BIG RED lacrosse!!!