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Boys, girls lacrosse players to watch around Norwich area

The 2024 boys and girls lacrosse season got underway this week. Here’s a short preview and players to watch this spring.

Boys Lacrosse

The Norwich Free Academy boys team is aiming to take another step forward in Mike Murphy’s third season at the helm. The Wildcats went 10-8 a year ago and reached the ECC tournament semifinals.

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Norwich Tech also has a number of experienced players back in the lineup.

“With many returning players the expectation is high to field a very disciplined and competitive team,” said Warriors coach Mark Farnsworth, who is in his fourth season.

NFA's Conor Gaughan makes a move against Stonington's Patrick McGugan during the ECC tournament semifinals last season at East Lyme High School.
NFA's Conor Gaughan makes a move against Stonington's Patrick McGugan during the ECC tournament semifinals last season at East Lyme High School.

Boys Lacrosse Players to Watch

Owen Brayman, Midfield, Sophomore (Norwich Tech), Taegon Calouro, Junior, Defense (Norwich Free Academy), Wes Drowne, Junior Attack (Norwich Tech), Conor Gaughan, Senior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy), Logan Jenkins, Senior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy), Joshua Lodyko Junior, Midfield (Norwich Tech), Joe May, Junior, Defense (Norwich Tech), Roman McElwee, Junior, Midfield (Norwich Tech), Grady O’Dell, Senior, Defense (Norwich Free Academy), Landon Traylor, Senior, Attack (Norwich Tech), Wyatt Woodcock, Junior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy), Luke Wotring, Senior, Goalie (Norwich Free Academy).

Girls lacrosse

Eric Page, who was Norwich Free Academy’s girls lacrosse coach from 2002-2018, returns to the helm this spring. Page replaces Taylor Shannon, who resigned to coach her alma mater, Waterford High School.

Page led the Wildcats to three ECC championships while compiling a record of 170-131.

“We have several very talented players and a core of strong athletes around them,” Page said. “We will compete within our league.”

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Derek Ponicano begins his sixth season with high expectations at Killingly, which has moved to ECC Division III after competing in DII last spring.

“With a heavy returning senior class, we’ll look to challenge for the Division III title and improve from last year,” Ponciano said. “With the help of many returning seniors and a large sophomore class, our future is looking bright.”

Scott Caron begins his first season as the head coach of the Griswold/Norwich Tech cooperative program. The Wolverines have a number of core players returning and will relish playing on the school’s new turf field this spring.

Norwich Free Academy's Molly Page moves in to score her 100th career goal last season in Norwich.
Norwich Free Academy's Molly Page moves in to score her 100th career goal last season in Norwich.

Girls Lacrosse Players to Watch

Ella Brown, Junior, Defense (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Leah Burchman, Junior, Defense (Norwich Free Academy), Sienna Caron, Junior, Midfield (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Molly Crabtree, Senior, Defense (Killingly), Sydney Crabtree, Senior, Defense (Killingly), Kianna Ego, Senior, Defense (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Alexis Emanuele, Junior, Goalie (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Laura Farquhar, Senior, Midfield (Killingly), Keira Fleming, Senior, Midfield (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Erika Horne, Senior, Goalie (Killingly), Emily Lamparelli, Senior, Midfield (Killingly), Illyana Malarkey, Senior, Attack (Killingly), Selina Metzermacher, Senior, Midfield (Killingly), Neiara Myrick, Senior, Attack (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Molly Page, Junior, Attack (Norwich Free Academy), Alice Rourke, Senior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy), Kaylin Stockwell, Junior, Attack (Griswold/Norwich Tech), Alex Tabilas, Senior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy), Hayleigh Young, Junior, Midfield (Norwich Free Academy).

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: NFA, Norwich Tech, Griswold, Killingly lacrosse players to watch