Chartiers Valley boys lacrosse gaining experience

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 6, 2018 | 2:03 AM

The Chartiers Valley boys lacrosse team is going through a maturation process.

The Colts entered the season with only five players who had competed in a varsity game last season. The lack of experience led the coaching staff to turn to a talented but untested group of underclassmen for production.

While it has been a tough start — Charters Valley dropped games to Fox Chapel, 13-2, and Canon-McMillan, 11-2 — coach Steve Stead is focused on where the team ends, not where it begins.

“Right now, we want to see the team take steps forward and not back,” the second-year Colts coach said. “We really want to make the playoffs and build a solid foundation for the program right now. We want to get everyone in place to make a run for the playoffs.”

Robert Richardson is one of the most experienced players returning. A Wheeling Jesuit recruit, the senior is coming off shoulder surgery but should be a catalyst for Charters Valley's success as a left-handed attackman.

Juniors Logan Scott and Trevor Stevenson are returning to the midfield and both are third-year contributors. Matt Tolmer is a four-year player and a defensive captain.

The Colts have a battle-tested presence in the front of the net with senior Robert Wanker, who is entering his third season with the team.

“He had a breakout season last year,” Stead said of the goalie. “He has looked good so far. He had 15 saves in our first game and 17 saves in the second. He is just dealing with some of the struggles in front of him.”

The Colts have turned to many of their younger players for production early on this season. The group includes a pair of freshmen starters on attack — Jake Troani and Thomas Nomides.

There are 34 players on the team — the most the program has had in five years. With only four seniors and several players at the middle school level set to make the jump in upcoming seasons, Stead is optimistic the program is on the upswing.

“We have three or four kids at the eighth-grade level and eight or nine behind them,” Stead said. “The numbers are not where I want them to be yet but could be in a year or two.”

The WPIAL rearranged alignment for lacrosse during the offseason, and Charters Valley was moved to Section 2-AA. The schedule will now feature games against Hampton, South Fayette, Greensburg Central Catholic and Knoch.

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Chartiers Valley