By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Coming off a run to the FCIAC title game and subsequent Class L title victory, the Staples High boys lacrosse team is looking forward to another run at a title or two this spring.

In their season opener yesterday, the Wreckers whupped visiting Iona Prep of New York 10-5.

“We return a handful of key players from last season, with a large number of talented players ready to step into key roles. A deep senior class, juniors ready to make their impact, a star group of sophomores on varsity, we are primed to make a push deep into the playoffs. Goals for the season are to win the FCIAC and CIAC Class L Championship,” said Staples Coach Will Koshansky, whose team avenged an FCIAC title game defeat to Darien with a win over the Blue Wave in the state’s pinnacle game last spring.

Captains are attack player Tyler Clark, long stick midfielder Michael Nealon and midfielder Leo Sequenzia.

Key members of the squad include attack players Gavin Rothenberg and Dixon Scherer; midfielders Ben Burmeister, Sam Eigen and Adam Udell; defensive midfielder Max Maurillo; defenders Zach Roseme, Preston Norris and Sam Petrosino; and goaltender Josh Marcus.

There is a bit of a different look to the FCIAC configuration now with Tier 1 and Tier 2, meaning nearly every conference clash will be a big one, Koshansky said.

“The top end of the FCIAC this season is wide open with a number of strong opponents. We also play a national schedule with some incredible out of state opponents including St. Anthony’s (New York) who are currently ranked No. 2 in the country, as well as the defending Massachusetts (St. John’s Prep) and New Hampshire (Bishop Guertin) state champions,” the Staples coach said.

Yesterday against Iona Prep, Rothenberg had three goals and two assists, Clark had a goal and two assists, Sequenzia logged two goals and an assist, Scherer recorded two goals, Maurillo had a pair of assists. Nealon tallied a goal and five ground balls to go along with four caused turnovers. 

Goaltender Scott Kosakowski made 10 saves. Jay Anatasi won six of seven faceoffs and Cisco Celotto won seven of 10 draws.

The Wreckers visit Rye, N.Y. on Saturday, April 8 at 3:30. The first game against an FCIAC rival is Tuesday, April 11 at 4 p.m. at Fairfield Warde. An early one to circle on the schedule is Saturday, April 15 at 5 o’clock, when Darien visits Westport.

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s. Learn more about us here.