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2007 record: 4-11, didn't make Division 3 tourney

Returning starters (9): Mike Woonton, Jr., attack; Dan Trainor, Sr., long stick/defense; Billy Sullivan, Sr., midfield;  Andrew Keegan, Jr., goalie; Sean Paradis, Jr., attack; C.J. Ziogas, Jr., midfield; Josh Fisette, Soph, attack; R.J. Riddinger, Jr., defense; Chris Gagne, Soph., long stick midfield

2007 record: 10-5, lost Division 2 quarterfinals

Returning starters (12): Ryan Rothwell, Jr., attack; Tim Fowler, Sr., defense; Jake Schlichte, Jr., attack; Ryan Lewis, Jr., attack; Eric Hebert, Sr., defense; Brendon Keane, Sr., defense; Max Zdrada, Sr., defense; Chris Hinton, Sr., midfield;  Derek Furey, Soph., midfield; Matt Bouchard, Soph., midfield; Erik Hatton, Jr., midfield; Trevor DeVitto, Jr., midfield

Andover lacrosse standout Peter Hanson did his best to stay modest.

"I do whatever I can to score depending on the situation," said the senior midfielder. "But we feel comfortable with anyone on the field taking the shot."

The Manchester Essex boys lacrosse team appears to be poised to build on last year's two-win campaign. At least if yesterday's contest against Pentucket is any barometer.

The Hornets rolled to a 9-4 victory over Pentucket in the season-opener for both schools. The offensive outburst was backed by a five-goal performance from senior attack Will Doucette and a three-goal performance from sophomore attack Jim Finn. Cam Doane added four assists.

Ryan Gendreau, Ryan Hanna and Steve Dangora each had hat tricks and an assist to lead the Generals, who improved to 1-1 with the Cape Ann League road win.. Jake Cotter contributed a pair of goals while Charlie Pilkanis, Ben Penta, Zach Cotter and Jay Allsopp each had one.

Andover defeated Newton South 8-3 in the teams' season opener.

C.J. Shea scored two goals and assisted on one, while Brendan Hughes also added two scores. Peter Hanson had a goal and two assists.

2007 record: 11-8, lost Division 1 East preliminaries

Returning starters (8): Cody Skinner, Sr., goalie; Tom Murray, Sr., attack; Nick Vazquez, Jr., attack; Joe Natale, Jr., attack; Kevin Woodman, Sr., midfield; Ryan Gauthier, Jr., midfield; Kyle Burke, Jr., defense; Troy Warcewicz, Sr., midfield

2007 record: 9-10, lost Division 2 East preliminaries

Returning starters (8): Patrick Helfrich, Sr., midfield; Chris Noyes, Sr., midfield; Preston Carmichael, Sr., midfield; Rob Caulk, Sr., midfield; Shain Jowett, Jr., midfield; Corey Hamilton, Sr., defense; Mike Tavares, Sr., defense; Eric Josephs, Jr., midfield

2007 record: 16-5, lost Division 1 East semifinals

Returning starters (6): Nick Reeder, Sr., goalie; Peter Hanson, Sr., midfield; Brendan Hughes, Sr., midfield; Matt Rayner, Sr., defense; Joe Lamagna, Jr., attack; Tripp Stevens, Sr., defense

2007 record: 5-14, did not make tourney

Returning starters (9): Austin Ago, Sr., defense; Nate Bunnell, Sr., midfield; Taylor Cahill, Sr., attack; Matt Green, Sr., midfield; Alex Roberts, Sr., goalie; Dylan Chase, Jr., attack; Matt Fiore, Jr., defense; Ben Stasiuk, Jr., midfield; Cam Spofford, Soph., defense

2007 record: 12-9, lost Division 3 East first round

Returning starters (7): Kyle Sinclair, Jr., defense; Mike Brooks, Sr., defense; Josh Robinson, Sr., midfield;  Matt Clemens, Sr., midfield; Ryan Visconti, Sr., goalie; Peter DiPietro, Sr., attack; Derek Marenholz, Soph., attack

2007 record: 17-5, lost Division 2 East quarterfinals

Returning starters (8): Tyler Zahoruiko, Jr., attack; Jon Blackwell, Sr., attack; Steve Collura, Sr., attack; Ross Marchegiani, Sr., defense; Alex Marchegiani, Sr., defense; Matt Foster, Sr., midfield; Kyle Dolan, Sr., midfield; John Foley, Sr., midfield

Despite a better-than-average season last year, the Georgetown boys lacrosse team has reason to believe that this season could be an even larger step in the right direction.

The main reason for such high hopes is the introduction of new coach Matt Bouchard, a graduate of Merrimack College and a legitimate high school journeyman whose coaching stops have seen him at Salem High and Masconomet.

2007 record: 11-8, lost Division 2 East first round

Returning starters (6): Robert Gibb, Sr., midfield; Jim McGillicuddy, Sr., midfield; Aaron Rice, Sr., midfield; Billy Smith, Sr., midfield; Brandon Wade, Sr., midfield; David Laflamme, Sr., attack

It's a bruising game where young men whack each other on the arms and shoulders with thick wooden sticks.

But there's a sensitive side to lacrosse, one that roots for the underdog and targets the less fortunate in society, said Bryan Brazill, coach of the Haverhill High boys lacrosse team.