Hampton boys lacrosse seniors look to finish strong

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, May 17, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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The Hampton boys lacrosse team's senior class has accomplished much in its four years, except one thing.

As freshmen, they were on a squad — and many contributed — in a WPIAL championship against Canon-McMillan. They have helped to compile a 52-23 overall record and four consecutive playoff appearances.

But they have never beaten Mars.

That's likely the end goal as the WPIAL Class AA playoffs kick off, and its bordering rival and No. 1 seed stares across the bracket from the No. 2 Talbots, who wrapped up a section title weeks ago and finished the regular season 12-5. But that's just business as usual. Hampton, which received a first-round bye, defeated South Fayette, 13-3, in the quarterfinals May 17. The Talbots were scheduled to play Quaker Valley in the semifinals May 23.

“I think we've done what we're expected to as far as defeating all of our divisional opponents,” said senior defenseman Isaac Gallogly, a four-year starter. “We're right on track, but just like years past, we haven't been able to beat the larger schools or Mars.”

Indeed, four of Hampton's five losses came out of division to larger schools. The other came via a 10-5 loss to the Planets, who have also knocked them out of the playoffs the past two years en route to winning WPIAL titles, including the 2016 championship game.

“We just have to go into the game thinking we're going to win,” Gallogly said. “My class, we've never beaten Mars. Not once. I think everybody has it in the back of their mind when we play them. If we see them in the championship, we have to forget about everything that has happened and put our best foot forward.”

Senior midfielder and captain Ross Andersson is focused on the task ahead.

“We're excited to get into some playoff ball,” he said. “It's a new atmosphere, new season.”

The Talbots have been strong all year, particularly on defense, where Gallogly, along with fellow defenseman Shelby Hildebrandt and goalie Robby Voinchet have been entrenched as starters for at least three years.

“Last year, we were able to get on the same page, and it's carried over,” Gallogly said. “But Robbie, Shelby and I have been playing together for seven years. We have this chemistry.”

Perhaps the most improved unit is the midfield, which has been able to play a smarter game this year to help reigning Class AA Player of the Year Richy Myros put up big scoring numbers.

Myros leads the Talbots in shots (114), goals (48) and is second in assists (22).

“Our mid game has improved over the year,” Andersson said. “We've been jostling around with line matchups, but it's come together this back half of the season. Our transition game and midfield defense have gotten a lot better.”

Coach Jim Vollberg set out to play a smarter brand of lacrosse this year in lieu of simply using the team's athleticism to get to the net.

“I think it's mostly because we were a little shorter on numbers this year,” Gallogly said. “We've had to slow things down to make the most of what we have. We've grown into a smarter team and are playing a smarter brand of lacrosse.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

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