Boys lacrosse team eyes postseason berth
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Marlborough - Not that the high school spring sports season is ever normal, but the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High boys lacrosse team and coach Tim Tonelli are hoping this year is a little closer to normal than last year was.

After having their first four games postponed because of inclement weather and wet field conditions, the Aztecs lost the first four they actually played. They finished with seven wins in 13 games, but a 7-10 record wasn't good enough to qualify for postseason play.

With a solid nucleus of players returning from last year's team, including the squad's leaders in both goals and assists, Tonelli thinks this year's team can qualify for the Central Mass. Tournament.

"I do. We were in the thick of the league race last year, despite our slow start, and we gave away a couple of games down the stretch," Tonelli said. "I just don't see us getting off to as slow a start as we did last season, or giving up the lead late in games, which we did a few times last year."

Leading the Aztecs' list of returnees is senior captain Jeff Proctor, who led the team in goals last season, with 46. Tonelli expects his star player to elevate his game.

"I'm expecting big things from Jeff," the coach said. "He's an excellent stick-handler, both with his left and his right, and he's got a devastatingly quick first step, good moves and he finishes off plays the way you want your best scorer to - by putting the ball in the back of the net."

Assabet's other senior captain is midfielder Mike McDonald, who has played with Proctor since they were both sophomores. McDonald controls the game from his mid-field position with his experience and savvy.

"They're total team leaders, on the field and off ," Tonelli said. "Their work ethic and dedication is something that rubs off on the rest of the team and they feed off of it."

Junior Tyler Samuelson led the Aztecs in assists last season and seniors Doug Ober and Dan Collins will also be looked at to provide off ensive input.

In addition to McDonald, Assabet's defense will be spearheaded by seniors Chris Magoon, Justin Flanigan and sophomore Bryan Brigham.

Junior Jeff Bathlon will start in goal again after spending the last half of last season in net. Tonelli said Bathlon worked hard in the off -season, attending camps and clinics and playing in an indoor league.

Tonelli is cautiously optimistic about this season.

"We have the potential to be very good," Tonelli said. "It's an experienced, seniorladen team. We have to go out and do it now, however. It's not enough to have the potential; we have to go out and win games now."

The pressure is on the team, in a way, as Assabet's sports teams as a whole this year have enjoyed much success.

"The football, basketball and hockey teams all qualified for the playoff s," Tonelli said. "I feel like that's put the pressure on us to do so, too, but I think we're capable of it. There's a real winning attitude that's starting to take hold here and we want to be a part of it."