Quaker Valley boys lacrosse sets high expectations; Sewickley rebuilding under new coach

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 20, 2018 | 4:53 PM

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The Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy boys lacrosse teams have different expectations.

The Quakers (1-2 overall) look forward to a long playoff run, and the Panthers (0-4 overall, 0-1 in Section 4-AAA) rebuild under a new coach.

Quaker Valley, a member of Section 3-AA, placed second to Mars at the WPIAL tournament last season. The Quakers bowed out of the PIAA tournament in the first round.

“There are a lot of expectations,” junior midfielder and attacker David Kraus said. “We are a very strong team.

“This year, we plan on winning the WPIAL championship and make it far into states.”

Senior midfielder Jake Giotto said the Quakers want to make some noise. If they do, he likely will be one of their loudest players.

Giotto, a Dickinson recruit, scored 71 points on 24 goals and 47 assists at attack last season. So far this season, he has 14 points (five goals, nine assists).

“Jake put the team on his back to win the section championship in overtime,” Quaker Valley coach Chip Hansen said. “He is a smart, tough, focused leader who is always (bringing) it in practice and games.”

Junior midfielder Beau Tomczak said Giotto is key.

Dickinson coach Dave Webster said the NCAA Division III Red Devils identified Giotto as a great fit a year ago.

Among other top players for the Quakers are junior attacker Evan Frund (five goals, one assist), Kraus (three goals, one assist) and senior attacker Ryan Jones (four goals).

Quaker Valley has made the WPIAL playoffs every year since the league began offering boys lacrosse in 2009. The Quakers were WPIAL Division II champions in 2014.

Sewickley Academy coach Trevor Adams said the Panthers aim to be competitive. Adams, a former Panthers assistant coach, took over after Tim Hastings retired.

“We are a young team and in a transition year as we will be moving from (Class) AAA to AA next year,” Adams said. “We are less focused on the team's record and more focused on improving each time we take the field.”

Senior midfielders Peter Curran (four goals, four assists) and Jack Wentz (four goals) pace the Panthers in scoring.

Junior goalie Josh Thomas is averaging 12 saves and has 62 total saves.

Curran hopes to set a good example.

“We need commitment from all of our players, and that doesn't end after this year,” he said. “One of my goals is to help facilitate that commitment and passion for the game.”

The Panthers lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last season. The only time since 2009 they have not made the tournament was in '16.

They were WPIAL Division I champions in 2010.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy