For the Hand boys’ lacrosse team, the record may indicate a sub-par mark by the standards set by the teams of the program’s past, namely a state final berth a year ago. Yet as is often the case in squad sports, the wins and losses in the standings certainly do not equate to the heart, hustle, and dedication the Tigers have laid on the turf every single day.

In 2023, Hand amassed an 11-5 regular season record. The Tigers then competed in two contests in the SCC Tournament and fell in the semifinal round to eventual-champion Cheshire. Then, as the No. 2 seed in the Class M State Tournament, the Tigers first defeated No. 15 Watertown with a 16-2 home victory in the opening round on May 31 prior to then doubling up on seventh-seeded Farmington, 18-9, in the quarterfinals as hosts on June 3.

After taking down Notre Dame-West Haven (ND-WH) in a semifinal on June 9 (12-11), the Tigers returned to the state championship game for the seventh occasion in program history on June 11 at Sacred Heart University to again face Cheshire–a squad that defeated Hand 14-9 in the regular season and in the SCC Tournament semifinal round by a 15-5 final. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it was the Rams completing a 3-0 season record vs. Hand with an 18-3 decision to give Cheshire its first state title since 2010. The Tigers completed a still very strong season at 15-7 that also saw the program collect its 500th win.

The Tigers have jutted out to a 5-9 record thus far for their 2024 spring season through a little more than the first full month of action. Head Coach John Orlando and Hand look to garner yet another trip to the postseason while never giving up an inch in every win and loss and bolstering their tenacity and intensity from whistle to whistle.

“Our goals for the year are to compete in every game and make the state playoffs,” said Orlando. “But we also try to get better and improve everyday as the season gets deeper and the players get more experience.”

Taking charge for the Tigers are a tandem of captains. Dillon DiProspero is a leader on the defensive front–consistently taking on the assignment of battling an opposing team’s top offensive attacker. Over in the midfield is the other half of the leadership equation with Jack Shay, an individual who can fire at will from any point and perspective on the turf with tremendous vision of the terrain.

“Dillon DiProspero is a close defenseman that covers opposing teams’ best dodging attackman,” said Orlando. “Jack Shay can dodge and shoot from the midfield and also sees the field well.”

On the offensive front, junior PJ O'Hanlon–the leading scorer for Hand in 2024–has already amassed a great tenure of tallies with the Tigers by just passing the 100-point threshold for his career earlier this spring. Also notching some major milestones personally is senior netminder Jack Orlando–recently surpassing 500 career saves.

Also helping facilitate the ball up the field is senior midfielder Connor Balletto. Helping to fortify the defense is another senior midfielder in Chase Docker who can also bring a sound skill set offensively. Lastly, junior midfielder Tyler Narracci is a solid speedster who can help brush the ball out of harm's way for the defense.

“Connor is very effective in controlling a game in the transition phase,” said Orlando. “Chase Docker is a very good offensive and defensive midfielder. Tyler Narracci is a very fast midfielder who helps on both offense and defense and clearing the ball.”

The Tigers did score a crucial win already this campaign that can serve as a big confidence booster towards the state tournament, as Hand took down Class M rival Weston with a 14-3 triumph. Hand also had a critical showdown on May 9 against local and Southern Connecticut Conference rival Guilford.

“We are pretty deep into the season, but Weston was a key Class M matchup, which we won 14-3, and it was our best showing against them in years,” said Orlando. “Guilford also served as a key Class M game for us.”

The Tigers are certainly working diligently daily and looking towards cinching up a postseason slot. Yet there is certainly no feeling of complacency here or rest for the weary. Hand is still looking to perform at its peak collectively in order to help the team squeak out through those tight decisions that test its total will.

“Similar to our team goals, we also want to learn to play and compete as a team to pull out close games,” said Orlando on his team’s additional targets for the remainder of the regular season.

The 2024 Tigers’ roster is comprised of seniors Jack Rourke, Jack Wiesbrock, DiProspero, Calvin Walker, Orlando, Docker, Shay, Balletto, Nicholas Platanos; juniors Andrew Benson, Mason Parcells, Jack Russo, Ken Pompilli, Ben Lind, Miles McGetrick, Michael Salvati, Will McGuire, Narracci, Jack Healy, Jay Pinover, O’Hanlon, Anthony Albino, Quinton O’Dea, Griffin Metz, Griffin Kubicki; sophomores Max Cuticelli, Liam Scott, Sean healy, Quinn Gies, Kyle Borduas, Matthew Coppola, Brody Duncan, Carrig LaVIgne, Henry Pearson, Cole Preskar; plus freshman Hudson O’Hanlon.

Orlando is now in his seventh season as head coach of the Tigers’ program. His assistant coaching staff for 2024 is comprised of four-year veteran Jim Rinere and newcomer Mark Paolini.

2024 Hand Boys’ Lacrosse Team Regular Season Results and Schedule

April 2: Hand 13, Foran 6

April 4: Simsbury 7, Hand 6

April 6: Joel Barlow 5, Hand 3

April 9: Southington 13, Hand 12

April 11: Ridgefield 16, Hand 3

April 13: Fairfield Ludlowe9, Hand 6

April 16: Fairfield Prep 15, Hand 4

April 18: Hand 11, Amity 3

April 22: Hand 13, Conard 5

April 24: Notre Dame-West Haven 13, Hand 9

April 27: Hand 14, Weston 3

April 30: Cheshire 20, Hand 6

May 7: Hand 12, Xavier 6

May 9: Guilford 9, Hand 8

Tuesday, May 14: vs. Sheehan at 6 p.m.