Lacrosse preview: Norfolk Academy boys, Cape Henry girls appear class of TCIS

Posted to: High Schools Sports

By Darrell Cuenca
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 17, 2008

PICKING THE TCIS

Boys

1. Norfolk Academy; 2. Cape Henry Collegiate; 3. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy; 4. Bishop Sullivan Catholic; 5. Walsingham; 6. Norfolk Collegiate; 7. Hampton Roads Academy.

Girls

1. Cape Henry Collegiate; 2. Bishop Sullivan Catholic; 3. Norfolk Academy; 4. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy; 5. Norfolk Collegiate.

BOYS DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

Tidewater Conference: Norfolk Academy (regular season and tournament).

State: St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (Virginia Independent Schools Division I); Notre Dame Academy (Division II); Seton School (Division III); Robinson (Virginia High School League).

GIRLS DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

TCIS: Cape Henry Collegiate (regular season and tournament).

State: St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (VIS Division I and Independent School League); Cape Henry Collegiate (VIS Division II); Collegiate of Richmond (League of Independent Schools); Oakton (VHSL).

AROUND THE CREASE

-- Seniors Ben Clarke and Tom Rixey and junior Schuyler Beecroft return to power the Norfolk Academy boys. All three were named to the All-Tidewater Conference first team last year. Three starting defensemen return for the Bulldogs, the two-time Virginia Independent Schools Division I runner-up. Coach Tom Duquette says replacing four graduated midfielders is the team’s biggest challenge.

-- Midfielder Carter Mavromatis and goalie T.J. Spera, both All-TCIS first-team selections, will provide experience for the Cape Henry boys. Charlie Lonergan is the team’s third head coach in four years.

-- Senior midfielders Matt Davies, Dana Hunting, Jeff Kelsey and Daniel Parrish will power the Nansemond-Suffolk boys. The Saints, with five other seniors, are looking to get back to the VIS Division II state tournament.

-- All-TCIS first-teamer Reed Looney highlights seven returning starters for the Bishop Sullivan boys. Looney had 51 goals and 10 assists last season. The Crusaders made the VIS Division II state tournament for the first time last season since winning it in 2001.

-- Robert Seatherton and Ben Temple totaled 40 goals last season for the Norfolk Collegiate boys, who will be led at the back by defenseman Bond Richards and keeper Jack Melcher.

-- The Cape Henry girls swept the TCIS regular-season and tournament titles en route to winning the VIS Division II state title last year. TCIS and VIS Division II Player of the Year Mary Flowers returns to power the Dolphins, and she will be complemented by Kelsey Scherrer in the midfield. Kaelyn Smith is another key veteran, and coach Jen Baker says Smith is more confident and comfortable at keeper after playing the position for the first time last season.

-- Midfielders Caitlin Murphy (All-TCIS first team) and Ashley Monger (All-TCIS second team) will pace the Bishop Sullivan girls, who advanced to the TCIS tournament final for the first time last season. Lauren Wohner will be a key player for the Crusaders up front.

-- Cape Henry’s Flowers and Bishop Sullivan’s Murphy were named to a Mid-Atlantic region team that participated in the U.S. Lacrosse National Tournament. Flowers was selected for a third consecutive year.

-- Attacker Mackenzie Shivar and defender Brynne Burgess are two of at least seven seniors for the Norfolk Academy girls. The Bulldogs have a familiar face on the sidelines, with coach Ruth Acra returning after a two-year absence.

-- Olivia White, the All-TCIS first-team keeper, is starting her fifth season between the pipes for the Nansemond-Suffolk girls. White, who averaged 20 saves a game last season, will be joined by five other Saints seniors.

-- Coach Michelle Woodruff says the Norfolk Collegiate girls will look to give the league a run after not competing in the TCIS last season.

-- Any South Hampton Roads public school teams competing in lacrosse this spring are doing so as club teams. The Eastern Region does not recognize lacrosse as an interscholastic sport. Great Bridge and Maury are among the schools fielding club teams.