Season Outlook For 2007

The 2007 Exeter lacrosse team is facing the big challenge of filling the shoes of the twenty graduating seniors from last year's squad. Included in this twenty are eight grads currently on college rosters, four of them playing for Division I programs. Despite this challenge, optimism is very high after seeing the talent displayed during preseason tryouts.

Leading the way this year will be senior tri-captains Yuri Larrabee, George Negroponte, and Chris Silberman. Princeton bound Yuri will be the starting goaltender where his athleticism and quickness make him one of the top prep goalies in New England. George is incredibly explosive in the midfield and will be a tough matchup for our opponents. Chris brings with him the experience of starting on the first midfield last year, and his great ability to get open without the ball and finish. Look for Chris playing some attack as well.

The defense may be the strongest part of this year's team. PGs Evan O'Brien and Garrett Nicholson bring great experience and ability, and either of them can play close defense or long pole middie. Big and rugged Jon Dwyer and Sam Gardner are both returning varsity players with considerable experience and not only play great defense, but have excellent stickwork as well. Faceoff guru Eric Eberhart now has a long pole, and he will compete for time as a long pole middie with Eddie Williams, the JV's best defenseman from last year . Rounding out the defense are JV veterans Jared Dick, Max Morse, and newcomer from Canada, BJ LaLonde has been very impressive with how quickly he has picked up the game.

The midfield is all about depth with as many as 13 or 14 players who can play in the midfield. Like captain Chris Siberman, some others may double up as attackman as well. The top middie spots will see lots of competition. In addition to captains Silberman and Negroponte, PG's Max Alderman and JP Collmus, along with veterans Alex Katz, Charlie Brewer, and Tom Clayton, newcomer prep Eric Slingerland all have the ability to be on the top two lines. Ryan Breen, and JV veterans Conrad Reusch, Niko Furnald, and Max Cassidy round out this solid group of midfielders.

The attack will be completely new this year as the entire starting unit graduated. PG's JP Collmus, Max Alderman and Freddy Janney along with new upper Nic Laster have looked extremely impressive in the early going. Look for Alex Katz and Chris Silberman to possible play some attack as well as in the midfield. Also helping out at attack will be lower Cole Page, upper Owen McLeer, and senior Jason Orloff coming out of retirement.

The goal situation is in very good shape. As mentioned earlier, Yuri Larrabee is among the best in the prep ranks in New England. He will be ably backed up by Tyler Page, the starting JV goalie from a very successful campaign last season.

The team is determined to improve on their 12-7 record from last year, and early indications are the talent is there to do just that.