Last year’s Times News Lacrosse Player of the Year, Alexandra Bush of Pleasant Valley, returns for her senior season. Bush will try to help guide the Bears to continued success and postseason opportunities.

The Northwestern boys team will also look for a winning season, as the Tigers return a number of solid starters and boast a lineup full of talented athletes.

Below are capsules on this year’s area lacrosse teams:

BOYS LACROSSE

PLEASANT VALLEY

ARROW POINTING UP ... After finishing last season with just one victory, second-year head coach Bob Vanderheyden sees growth and potential in this year’s team. With a roster of 22 players and a dedicated offseason program, the Bears hope to make some noise in the Eastern Penn Conference.

FIELD GENERALS ... Three captains will be counted upon to help nurture 11 newcomers to the team. Senior midfielder Ryan Blass comes off the gridiron to spearhead the Bears’ offensive attack. “Ryan was injured for most of the season last year, but has natural athleticism and his strong stick skills will be a big plus in helping us score more goals this year,” said Vanderheyden. Junior goalie Ben Tomaszewski begins his third season in net and has registered several shutouts for his winter club team. The third captain is Colden Rother, who comes from the soccer field to play midfield. “Colden has excellent field vision,” said Vanderheyden. “He’s opportunistic and utilizes the entire field to move the ball.”

STICK FIGURES ... The Bears have a bunch of promising players, beginning with senior newcomer Xander Higgins. A football lineman who will play defense, Vanderheyden likes his ability to win faceoffs. From a bevy of six sophomores, Joey Brustein is a club player and can become an offensive force from midfield. “Joey is our lacrosse poster boy,” said Vanderheyden. “He practices all the time, even by himself.” Junior Gavin Bauman will be an attacker and was last year’s shot leader for the Bears.

WHAT TO EXPECT ... Pleasant Valley’s lacrosse program began in 2015 and the Bears have never won more than three games in a row or six games total. Vanderheyden feels this group can set new school records in both categories. “Our style of play has improved because our chemistry is better. We stress ball and foot movement and no more standing around and waiting for something to happen. Whether we win or not, we want to score more goals and give up less goals against each team we played last season. That, and winning more games, will be real improvement.”

NORTHWESTERN

NOISEMAKERS ... Marcus Janda, who has been Northwestern’s lacrosse coach since the program’s inception in 2019, feels this 24-man roster is going to be heard from this season in the Colonial League. Coming off a 7-9 record, Janda will direct a group with both experience and athleticism. That combination, he says, should result in a winning record.

THE CORE FOUR ... A quartet of seniors will be counted upon to score and to defend. Andrew Collins is an attackman with great vision of the field. “Andrew will be the quarterback of our offense and man the X position behind the goal where he can feed a teammate to the right or left for a close shot,” said Janda. Four-year starter, Andrew Sabo, returns at captain and “will be involved in every possession from the midfield.” Janda calls his other captain - Taylor Wikert - the “rock of the team.” He’s been their MVP for three years and is the “most competitive” player on the team. Like Wikert, Jack Coleman comes from the football team and brings physicality as a top-notch defender.

FRONT AND BACK TALENT ... Besides the core four, the Tigers will have a solid balance of skilled laxmen on both sides of the field. Junior attackman Austin Sosnoviak circles the goal and know how to put the ball into the back of the net. Midfielder Cade Christopher, a multi-sport athlete, initiates offense with his speed. Junior midfielder Ty Meck will carry the long stick and cover the opponent’s best player. Sophomore goalie Baylen Smargiassi is a natural ball stopper, according to Janda, and will quarterback the defense.

WHAT TO EXPECT ... When his seniors were freshmen, Janda told them they were setting the groundwork for the future success of the young lacrosse program. Now they can take the next step and lead the Tigers into the district playoffs. “We are humble and hungry, and expect to compete for the Colonial League title. We’re a blue-collar team with a lot of horses. We’re going to play like there’s no game to lose.”

GIRLS LACROSSE

PLEASANT VALLEY

GRIN AND ‘BEAR’ IT ... The Bears are coming off a solid 10-6 season, qualifying for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Final Four Tournament and making it to the District 11 quarterfinals. This season, Coach Toni Bush’s squad should bring plenty of smiles to their fans in what projects to be another excellent year. PV carries an all- time high roster of 31 players.

VET SETS ... PV will run out a lot of experience with its starters as well as its substitutions. Led by Times News Player of the Year and USA Lacrosse Academic All American, Alexandra Bush, the Bears will put plenty of pressure upon opposing defenses. Lat year, Bush scored 79 goals and had 29 assists. “Alexandra is a highly skilled player who can win the draws and place the ball where she wants to,” said Coach Bush. “We have five other seniors who will bring experience to our attack and defense. Brielle McInaw, a four-year starter, is “extremely fast” and put 66 shots in the back of the net last season. Defenders Kayla Charles and Candyce Fougere are both “aggressive in getting the ball out of our own end.” Senior goalie Amanda Hayes stopped 98 shots when opponents were able to penetrate the Bears’ defense.

SPEED DIVAS ... Adding to the fast play of the veteran seniors are underclassmen who can get up and down the field in a flash. Junior Madison Fava had what Bush described as a “breakout year” last season with her ability to transition the ball from midfield to the offensive zone. Sophomore Riley Green is a smart utility player who “works both ends of the field with a high level of skill.” Incoming freshmen Devon Bush, Olivia Iandoli and Briana Palmieri add speed, grit, and ball handling skills. “Our depth this year will allow us to keep up the quick pace we like to play while we give our starters some breaks.”

WHAT TO EXPECT ... This year’s edition of the Bears’ lacrosse team is ready for prime time. Having sharpened their skills in fall and winter leagues, they look forward to making both the EPC and District 11 playoffs with an up-tempo style of play. “We want to play fast all over the field,” said Coach Bush, “and keep our opponents on their heels.”

NORTHWESTERN

WELCOME PARTY ... First-year head coach Bridget Cerciello takes over a Northwestern team that has a roster of 26 players. That will enable the Tigers to field a JV team for the first time since the program began in 2019. Cerciello has been pleased with the commitment from her team. “They are eager to learn and show the desire to become a better team.”

DOUBLE TROUBLE ON THE ATTACK ... Senior twin sisters Emilee and Sarah Schultz intend to bring havoc against opposing defenders from their attack positions. “Emilee is experienced and will be our key driver on offense,” said Cerciello. “She has great chemistry with Sarah, who can dodge defenders and feed the attack as well.” Joining the twins on the front line will be juniors Ava Collins and Claire Costa. “Ava was our leading scorer last year and can shoot from the left and right side. Claire is super fast. She’s all over the field and is really good with the draw. She will be dangerous in our attack.” Juniors Danielle Lister and Alexis Vennera have demonstrated the stick work necessary to transition the Tigers from defense to offense.

THE BACK LINE ... The Tigers hope to tighten up their defense. Senior Nicole Landis and junior Kaelin Popp will be key defenders in front of Gabrielle Gober, who stopped 141 shots last season. “Nicole is vocal and very aggressive to the ball. Kaelin has shown good stick work to get the ball out in transition, and Gabrielle returns to give us experience in front of the net.”

WHAT TO EXPECT ... The Tigers expect to increase their win total of four games from a year ago. “We’re big on changing the mindset here from trying to not lose to trying to compete and win,” said Cerciello. “We’d like to make it to the districts playoffs. We think we have the work ethic and the mindset to do just that.”