Dukes graduated nine of 10 starters from last year’s conference-championship team.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The York boys lacrosse team will have a new look.
Sort of.
While the Dukes graduated nine of 10 starters from last year’s team that went 15-6 overall and won the West Suburban Conference with a perfect 5-0 mark, York is far from hurting from talent that has been in the successful program in recent times.
Back for the Dukes are seniors Pierceson Mapes (defense), Gavin Vandenberg (midfield) and Cory Jaeger (midfield/faceoff), along with juniors Artie Renier (goalie), Mark Schneeloch (defense), Joe Chornij (midfield) and David Leonard (attack). Mapes will play next season at Augustana College.
Key newcomers to the team that are not necessarily new players, but saw limited varsity action last year include seniors Jack Redick (midfield), Bob Robertson (midfield), Steve Robertson (attack) and Jack Matthews (attack). New to the team is senior Nick Thomas (long-stick midfield).
“We have very talented lacrosse players,” said York coach Don Canfield. “These are guys who have great sticks and a great feel for the game. We graduated nine of our 10 starters, so players are competing hard in practice with so many starting spots opening up.”
While the amount of starter turnover was large, Canfield has been pleased with what he has seen with the transition thus far.
“Both offensively and defensively we are starting over with a number of new players, but so far the group has been willing to work hard and absorb all the things we are trying to teach,” Canfield said.
York’s goalies include Renier and senior transfer student Finn McCarthy. “Artie is back for his third varsity season and is looking to make an impact right away,” said Canfield. “He is athletic and refined in not only saving the ball, but in clearing the ball and playing outside the crease. Finn also has looked very good in the first two weeks.”
Vandenberg and Leonard are also looking strong in the early going of the season at their new positions. “Gavin is a 6-6 midfielder with incredible hands and a good outside shot,” said Canfield. “He is transitioning from attack where he started last year to midfield this season. David played midfield last year and is transitioning to attack this season. He has great moves and hands and has the ability to go both right- and left-handed. He will be a matchup problem for teams.”
Canfield said the natural question of leadership will be a key with so many established players having graduated. “We have to become a team that is willing to work together and work for each other,” he said. “We lost a lot of leadership with last year’s seniors, so we need some of the new guys to step up and cultivate a winning culture this season.”
Defending conference-champion York knows the WSC will again be no cakewalk. “The West Suburban Conference always is competitive,” the coach said. “You can never count anyone out. We will be tested early, playing Glenbard West April 6 and Lyons Township and Hinsdale Central later in April. We have won the conference title the last two years, so we know the target is on our backs.”
