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06/27/2023 07:16 AMThe Old Saybrook boys’ lacrosse team is on the rise, and this past spring showed that the program is trending in the right direction toward prominence after a season of many firsts.
The Rams finished the campaign with a 12-4 regular season record, which tied for the second-best in school history, before playing in the qualifying round of the CIAC Class S State Tournament to break a seven-year state tournament appearance drought. They additionally qualified as the No. 2 seed in the Shoreline Conference Tournament.
“Being a part of this team’s success in cementing a top record of all-time for the program was an amazing achievement,” said junior Aiden D’Anna. “Through each and every offseason workout, practice, and every game, each teammate really put it all out there and to see that pay off for us in having the second-best season in school history with a record of 12-4 really was an amazing feeling.”
Rams Head Coach Jon Mason was proud of the boys this season, explaining that the team not only surprised themselves and their opponents, but they additionally learned a lot along the way.
“2023 was such a fun season,” said Mason. “I think we surprised not only our opponents but ourselves. This was our third year as a new coaching staff (head and assistant) and to see our boys believe in each other and themselves was a major step for our program. Records are nice, but what we learned about each other and ourselves far outweighs getting our name on the wall. I’ve had a number of Old Saybrook Lacrosse alumni reach out and congratulate us on proving our opponents wrong. Tapping into the pride we have in Old Saybrook with a fantastic group of young men is very special. Two years ago, we were a team that was 1-15. We played in no postseason games and had no players earn All-Conference or All-State. Through the hard work of Assistant Coach Nick Sagnella, the Old Saybrook Athletic Director Brendan Saunders and our kids, we’ve turned this team around, built a program that is winning games and winning fans.”
Mason was recognized for flipping the program upside down as he won Shoreline Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts at the helm.
“It’s very kind to be honored,” said Mason. “I was a kid who needed lacrosse and a coach that cared. I found a team and a sport that gave me hope, discipline and the desire to do better. Lacrosse has taught me so much and I am thrilled I get to pay that forward.”
The season Old Saybrook put together on the lacrosse field far exceeded Mason’s expectations. At the end of 2022, the squad’s overall goals were to finish top 4 in the conference and qualify for states. After starting 4-3, the Rams won five straight games and eight out of their last nine. They also beat their rivals North Brandford twice, which was a first in program history.
“We finished last season 6-10, just missing states by one game,” said Mason. “On that bus ride home from that last game, we set the goal of correcting that mistake and this season we quickly amassed the seven wins needed to qualify for states. We also wanted to be in the top four teams in the Shoreline Conference. Finishing No. 2 in the conference and qualifying for states mid-season was well ahead of our expectations.”
D’Anna credited the team’s turnaround this spring to a shift in team mentality, taking it one game at a time and looking at every contest as a crucial victory.
“There was a major shift in attitude and mentality coming into the season,” D’Anna said. “Right away, we were given faith through our coach, who continued to put us on the path of improvement throughout the offseason and in the season as well. Every game for us was a must-win, no matter the outcomes of the others.”
Mason echoed D’Anna’s sentiment, saying the teamwork aspect and working together to win games is what made it so special for everyone.
“What’s impressed me about this team is we are playing together,” said Mason. “Rather than just a strong player here or there, we’re playing together and playing at a higher level because we trust one another. The result is confidence on defense, at midfield and on attack. It’s a great atmosphere to be around where underclassmen and seniors compliment each other in our huddles.”
Four Rams players were selected to the All-Shoreline Conference Team this spring, including attackman Liam Roberts, defender Carson Percival, attackman Brayden Cody and midfielder D’Anna. Percival additionally earned All-State honors.
“I am thrilled these young men earned the recognition for All-Conference and Carson for All-State,” Mason said. “Each of them were critical to our season.”
After earning both conference and state accolades, Percival is continuing his lacrosse journey as he is headed to Mass Maritime in the fall and will be on the team. Roberts scored five-plus goals in six games and Cody is the tone and pace-setter who assists just as much as he scores. D’Anna is very versatile on both offense and defense and is a great loose ball grabber.
Back for the Rams in goal is the heart of their defense in sophomore Cole Lawson. Ngwang Choegyal will be returning on the defensive end of the field and mentoring two newer defenders in sophomore Jack Morin and junior Holden Lemire.
At midfield, Old Saybrook has several rising seniors in William Maselli and Patty Sheahan, who helped out last season at long-stick midfield. D’Anna, Lucas Webb and Jacob DeAngelo will gain more experience as they will be playing another year together.
Rising junior specialists Wes Percival and Ethan Lane will both be returning as starters. The attackers will return in full next spring with Cody, Roberts and junior Brendan Cassella.
D’Anna said that the team will be preparing this offseason by meeting at the turf for training and workouts, lifting weights, and participating in other lacrosse-related activities.
“This offseason, as a team we will be meeting at the turf for training and workouts, lifting with some members of the team, participating in rec/indoor leagues, and attending anything else that can sharpen our individual skills while also building the chemistry,” said D’Anna.
While Old Saybrook saw a big leap in progress this spring, Mason has even higher expectations for his squad as they look ahead to next season on the turf. He appreciates the experience the athletes gained in the postseason party and hopes they carry that momentum with them.
“Our goal is simple: finish the season No. 1 on the Shoreline, win the Shoreline Conference Championship and get deep into a state run,” Mason said. “While I would have liked a longer shelf-life in postseason play — getting to play those games meant we’d already achieved the aggressive goals we set out. We’d already won. The ability of this team and the heart our seniors played with is something that is going to stick to all of us that return next year. This team will not be forgotten.”
The 2023 varsity roster included seniors Jake Pavlovich, Carson Percival, Jack Forrest, Aidan Grillo and Aidan Gilson; juniors Tynan MacCarthy, Brayden Cody, Jacob DeAngelo, Holden LeMire, Lucas Webb, Patrick Sheahan, Dempsey Watford, Kevin Susi, Aiden D’Anna, William Maselli, Ngwang Choegyal, Brayden Hagelston; sophomores Liam Roberts, Brandon Hester, Cole Lawson, Brendan Cassella, Ethan Lane, Jack Morin and Wesley Percival; and freshmen Jamison LeMire, Finnegan Speed and Greyson Richards.