With 13 returnees from last year, the Fenwick High School boys lacrosse team entered this spring optimistic about its chances.
The Friars have started the season inauspiciously with a 2-3 record, but head coach Dan Applebaum believes that doesn’t tell the story.
“We’ve had a handful of close losses,” he said. “This is the deepest we’ve ever been and the most experienced roster we’ve had in several years.”
The top returning players for Fenwick (8-9 in 2023) are junior midfielder Sam Guercio; senior attacker Jack Hoeller, senior defenders Will Healy and Dillon Murphy, and senior midfielder Charlie Ward. Other returnees are sophomores Robert Arroyo and Marco Litton, juniors Jack Hardy and A.J. Guercio, and seniors Kevin Hanley, Evan Hickman, Andrew Kassay, and Michael Town.
Newcomers to watch are freshmen Luke Benton and Adam Chrastka; sophomores Jack Lilito, Duffy Monahan, Truman Sabatino, and Will Ristau; juniors Ninos Ameer, Charlie Bastedo, and Dylan Keith; and seniors Jack Braithwaite and Spencer Lisek.
As usual, the Friars have a tough schedule. Their top non-conference matches are with Lane Tech, Latin, Niles Notre Dame, and Oak Park and River Forest. Within the Chicago Catholic League White division, Applebaum thinks DePaul Prep will vie with Fenwick for the title.
“The coaching staff is really excited to see how the rest of the year plays out,” he said. “We have a great group of kids who are focused on playing at a high level. Our goals are to win conference and make a deep run in the state playoffs.”
OPRF
In head coach Justin Porter’s second season, Oak Park and River Forest is continuing to develop its program.
“It’s a rebuilding year as we are very young,” Porter said.
The Huskies (6-10 in 2023) return six varsity players, including senior defender Evan O’Brien (Bellarmine University recruit), senior attacker/midfielder Will Hall (an Academic All-American last season), senior goalie Samir Chand, and senior attacker Jimmy Ponicki.
Sophomore midfielder/attacker Dylan Clark had varsity playing time last season, and Porter expects him to increase his role this spring. A newcomer to watch is freshman midfielder Conor Ganschow.
OPRF is 1-3 so far, with the only victory coming over visiting Montini 11-5 on March 19. The Huskies’ three losses were against top programs Andrew, Maine South, and St. Ignatius.
“They’re all big games at this stage of the program,” said Porter of the overall schedule, which also includes non-conference games with Benet Academy, Fenwick, Lane Tech, Latin, and Mount Carmel.
Porter sees Glenbard West as the team to beat in the West Suburban Silver. But he says OPRF’s focus is on daily self-improvement.
“We want to get 1% better every day within our individual skill sets and as a whole,” he stated. “Our goal is to be consistent in our effort.”