Team expects solid season
By: John Beisser
On paper, the Hillsborough High boys’ lacrosse team would be appear to be the definition of an experienced team. The Raiders’ 29-man roster is comprised of 15 seniors, nine juniors and five sophomores. The reality, however, is that last year’s team was also a senior-dominated unit, thus very few of the current seniors and only a handful of the nine current juniors saw any varsity action a year ago.
What Hillsborough’s first-year head coach Mark Wilson, a 1990 HHS graduate, has at his disposal is largely a group of physically mature athletes who are a bit on the lean side when it comes to game action on the varsity level.
A demanding preseason camp, which included four scrimmages, left Wilson encouraged about the team’s outlook. And Hillsborough’s 9-4 opening day home victory over North Hunterdon did nothing to dampen Wilson’s confidence in his club.
Hillsborough jumped out to a 4-0 lead and cruised from there, despite losing the statistical battle as the Lions held the edge in shots (22-16) and ground balls (32-21). Senior goalie Steve Kay came up big in goal with 16 saves, senior attack Jake Wilk had three goals and one assist and sophomore attack Kyle Panaccione added two goals and one assist.
"The seniors just took control of the game," Wilson said. "Chris Livelli was doubtful with a shoulder injury but he played, scoring one goal and getting three ground balls. I thought his presence out there just gave our team a big lift. He’s tough as nails."
The 2007 Raiders will be led by senior co-captains Livelli, a midfielder and defenseman Adam Mehltretter.
"Our entire defense was lost to graduation except for longstick middie Adam Meltretter and there is not a lot of experience on attack either," Wilson said.
If Wilson had to pick one unit where he would want battled-tested experience it would be the midfield and the Raiders have plenty of talented veterans to choose from there. In addition to Livelli, the midfield features senior Gary Politi, the most experienced player on the roster who has been a varsity player since he was a freshman. Junior Luke Dawson is the team’s best faceoff man and sophomore Ryan Buerkle is the fastest player on the roster. Also expected to see extensive playing time at midfield are the senior trio of Kyle Golumbus, Ryan Kloss and Ed Marks.
Senior Pat Mahlstedt is the leader of the defensive unit and he will often times be flanked by classmates R.J. Lyons, Evan
Raab and Mehltretter. Over the course of the preseason, senior goalie Kay transformed himself from a question mark to one of the team’s steadiest performers as his 16-save outing in the opener would attest.
"Steve, like a lot of the guys, is pretty green but he has displayed a lot of poise and has a great personality," Wilson said. "He’s kind of the spiritual leader of the team. He knows when to be lighthearted and when to be serious and that’s a great quality to have in your goalie."
On the attack, seniors Sean Speciale, Jake Wilk, the most experienced and polished of the group, and Matt Roberts comprise the unit that gained the starting assignment vs. North Hunterdon.
"We started an all-senior lineup in that game but that is not necessarily the way we’ll start every game," Wilson said. "But we will play a lot of guys. Almost everybody on the roster got into the North Hunterdon game. Overall, we don’t return many players who scored a lot of points in meaningful games. But the seniors have been waiting two years for this opportunity and they’re ready."
As a show of solidarity, on the eve of the season opener, all of the 15 seniors shaved their heads and are now sporting Mohawks. While the hairstyle was not Wilson’s idea, he admits that he likes the sign of unity that the new look represents.
"I don’t want to get parents upset by admitting that I like the haircuts," Wilson said with a laugh. "Let’s just say they are determined to make their senior year special."
Schematically, Wilson says his team has the personnel to push the ball and score goals and it all begins with the midfield unit.
"Kloss and Livelli are great dodgers and have the ability to generate offense," he said. "Both go about 6-0, 185 and they are fast, aggressive leaders. They were basketball players so they are very athletic with strong sticks and good shots."
While the defense and attack may take a bit longer to evolve, Wilson is also confident in the potential of those units as well.
"We had a real upbeat preseason," Wilson said. "The guys seem to be having a lot of fun at practice. I can’t give them enough tape to watch so that’s a good sign. It’s really been a lot of fun."
Hillsborough was slated travel to Montgomery yesterday for a 4:00 p.m. tilt. On Monday, the Raiders will travel to Hunterdon Central before hosting Ridge on Wednesday.

