Quaker Valley’s boys lacrosse team proved to be a tough nut to crack in the second half of last season.
QV won four in a row down the home stretch and six of seven after April 14 to lock up a WPIAL playoff berth.
The seventh-seeded Quakers rallied to an 11-10 win against No. 10 Bethel Park in the first round. Two days later, QV lost to No. 2 South Fayette, 15-9, in the quarterfinals to end up 11-5 overall.
"We are a very young team (in 2024) with one senior and two juniors,” QV coach Chip Hansen said. "The balance of the team are sophomores — many of them were starters last year — and freshmen. This is a talented freshman class.
"Our veterans from last year’s team set the team goals for this year. Their main goal is to finish second in the section. This is a tough section with Mars, which lost by a goal in the state championship last year and was the state champion in 2022.”
Returning lettermen at QV are Marcus Richey, a junior attacker, and sophomore midfielders Jace Vasbinder, Jacob Keisel (MF) and Hunter Kronk, plus sophomores Logan Benedict (D), Max Modrovich (ATT) and Luke Koehler (LSM/D).
Richey is a top athlete in the QV wrestling program and a two-year starter in lacrosse. He finished with 38 goals and five assists in 2023 and is hoping to eclipse 50 goals this spring.
"Marcus had an outstanding season and was an impact player for us,” Hansen said. "He was the only sophomore on the team (last) year. We did not have any juniors.”
Hansen also is expecting contributions from sophomore goalkeeper Aiden Dillaman and junior midfielder Thomas Fuener, a leading competitor in the QV boys swim program.
Returning starters from last season include Richey and Modrovich at attack, Vasbinder in the midfield and Keisel and Benedict on defense. Koehler and Kronk were top reserves at midfield.
"We have a really young team, but despite that, I believe we have the talent and ability to make the playoffs this year,” Richey said. "Hopefully, we can continue to improve and win a few games in the playoffs. I think our main goals are just to improve as much as possible each game, gain needed experience and see how far we can make it at the end.
"As an attacker, I hope to help my team win as many games as possible.”
QV’s freshman class is led by the likes of defensemen Sawyer Krotine, Max Soderstrom and Dom Anderson along with Mason Baker (ATT/MF) and Jack Watson (ATT).
"We have a really good freshman class,” Richey said. "One kid in particular is defenseman Sawyer Krotine. We also moved Jacob Keisel to middy, and I’m really excited to see how Jacob and Sawyer perform this year.
"I think our faceoff guy, Jace Vasbinder, is going to have a big year and enable us to keep possession of the ball. I’m also really excited to see how our new goalie Aiden Dillaman does. He has been working hard, putting in a lot of extra time to make us a better team.”
Also aiming to make their presence felt this season are senior attacker Will Watson, sophomores Charles D’Antonio (MF) and Colin York (D/LSM) and two additional freshman prospects — Quinn Marcotte (MF) and Sam Musmanno (ATT).
Then-senior attacker Kyle Hammond and Modrovich were the heroes for the Quakers in last year’s playoff win over Bethel Park.
"We were down by two (late in the game) and got two quick goals about 30 seconds apart,” Hansen said. "This was an outstanding team win. Everyone contributed and played with grit, heart and confidence.”
Hammond scored to tie it up at 10-10; Modrovich netted the game-winner. Modrovich connected for two goals in the game. Hammond had one goal and four assists.
Quaker Valley has a large influx of hockey players on this year’s team, including Will Watson, Jack Watson, Modrovich, Kronk, Krotine, Dillaman, D’Antonio, York, Keisel, Koehler and Vasbinder.
The Quakers are members of Section 2-2A along with the frontrunner, Mars, and Freeport, Hampton, Indiana, Knoch, North Catholic, Plum, Sewickley Academy, Shaler and Winchester Thurston.
Hansen’s assistants are Darrell Schmitt, Doug Krotine, Justin McLiverty and Callahan Bedard.
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