As the clock for the South River game, the last game of last year’s regular season, wound down, the underclass members of the Northern Lacrosse team knew they wouldn’t have much time before summer league began. “Basically, we started at the end of the season with summer ball starting with our recreational team, Revolution,” said senior captain Kyle Granville. “We played in three or four tournaments. We did pretty well only losing a handful of games at most.” The boys worked really hard during the off season playing in summer and winter indoor leagues keeping in shape for the new season.

Being three-time SMAC champions, the team has a huge target on their backs. The lacrosse team already has five committed seniors on their roster. Seniors Mikey Allen (York), Kyle Horak (Frostburg), Kyle Granville (Marymount), Scott Gutherie (Saint Vincent), and Seth Grimwood (Wingate) have all signed to play at the collegiate level.  With an overall record of 13-2 last season (12-0 in SMAC), the Patriots were anxious to go for the ultimate goal, winning the Lacrosse State Championship.

Senior Defenseman Scott Gutherie said, “We need to be in this together in order to reach our obstacles towards the playoffs.” Last year, Northern fell to the South River Seahawks (2012 3A-4A state champions) by a score of 13-6 in the second playoff game. Senior Goalie Ryan Sullivan said, “We competed with them the whole first half, but then we fell apart in the second half by making mental mistakes.”

Since Northern High School’s varsity coach, Mr. Joe Casalino, cannot take part in coaching them during the off season, Mr. Jeff Fabian has been coaching them for the past few years.  Casalino is allowed to run the conditionings and workouts. The boys feel as though these workouts and all the conditioning have helped contribute toward how they are playing this season. “I think we have done a good job, and that we have all improved a lot,” said junior captain Kyle Martin.

As the season approached, the captains felt they were going to have a good and confident season. “I absolutely think we will have a good season. We have put a lot of work into it with all the practices and conditioning,” said Granville. Hoping to keep the three year title of SMAC champions, the lacrosse team has started strong with a record of 7–2.

To see a WNHS story about the Lacrosse team’s game against LaPlata, click here.

–Erika Baxa and Bobby Almony