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Andover Boys Lacrosse Preview

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

Returning lettermen: Sam Cook, Sr., midfield; Gavin Lynch, Sr., midfield; Jon Booth, Sr., midfield; Gavin McIver, Jr., midfield; Kevin Drew, Sr., defense;  Andrew Federico, Sr., defense; Eric Simpson, Sr., defense; Justin Malins, Sr., attack; C.J. Shea, Sr., attack; Matt Eriksen, Jr., attack

Newcomers: Mike Pierce, Sr., midfield; Zach Kutchin, Sr., defense; John Fiorentino, Soph., attack; Matt Murray, Jr., defense; Tom McQuillan, Jr., midfield; Josh Torres, Jr., midfield; Nick Binder, Jr., defense; Matt Newton, Jr., midfield; Jake Mattison, Jr., midfield; Christian Benedix, Jr., attack; Vinnie Christiano, Jr., defense; Jake Gostanian, Jr., goalie; Matt Newman, Jr., goalie; Andrew Carroll, Jr., midfield

Candidates in all grades: 105

Captains: Kevin Drew, Peter Hanson, Brendan Hughes, Matt Rayner

Returning leaders: Brendan Hughes 53-33|86; Peter Hanson 34-21|55; Justin Malins 30-7|37; Nick Reeder, 115 saves

Returning honorees: Brendan Hughes, All-Scholastic, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Peter Hanson, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Matt Rayner, Eagle-Tribune All-Star

Assistants: Leo Lafond, Matt James, Bobby Grant, JV; Doug Chernovetz, Frosh.

Opener: Hosts Newton South March 27

Odds and ends: Andover returns its top three scorers from last year. ... Matt Rayner was a 2006 and 2007 Eagle-Tribune All-Star in football as a receiver. ... Andover advanced to the Division 1 East semis for first time in the eight-year history of program. ... Football star Mike Pierce, who played baseball last year, is giving lacrosse a try for the first time. ... Zach Kutchin, who played as a freshman, returns to the program after taking two years off. ... Junior Cam Smith, who separated his shoulder playing ice hockey, is unable to play this year, so he is serving as a team manager.

Coach Wayne Puglisi (9th year, 96-52 ): "We have a strong returning group from a team that made it to the (Division 1 East) semifinals, so we're feeling pretty good about the season. We have the scorers and Nick Reeder is looking good in goal. ... This team has more depth than last year."