Ryan Riesmeyer has returned home as coach of the Quaker Valley boys lacrosse team.
“Being back in the WPIAL means a lot to me,” Riesmeyer said. “I grew up here and played at Franklin Regional. We were WPIAL runners-up, so I understand what lacrosse in this area is all about.
“After spending the past five years coaching down in Frederick, Maryland, it’s been great to come home and get back into this community. I’m excited to get after it with this group and build something Quaker Valley can be proud of.”
Riesmeyer’s career includes a wealth of coaching experience including stints with Apex Lacrosse, Saint Vincent College, Chatham University, Hood College and as a board member of Spires Lacrosse.
In addition to coaching, Riesmeyer was hired as the Quaker Valley Middle School computer science and technology teacher.
His assistants on the lacrosse team are Darrell Schmitt, David Kraus, Daniel Riesmeyer and Christopher McEnroe. The QV brain trust is in charge of a 24-player roster this year.
Domenic Anderson, a junior LSM/defender, Logan Benedict, a senior defender, and senior goalkeeper Aiden Dillaman are the Quakers’ co-captains. Each offered a brief evaluation of their expectations for the 2026 season.
“I have high hopes this season. It looks like we can be good,” Anderson said. “We are looking very good with our new head coach.”
Benedict added, “I’m excited for the season. We have a big group of seniors this season and the chemistry is building up.”
The 6-foot Dillaman is one of two goalkeepers listed on the roster along with Ian McKenna, a 5-11 freshman.
“I have high expectations for the team, and I second what these guys just said,” Dillaman said. “We have a lot of new freshmen.”
There are 10 seniors on the team: Benedict, Dillaman, Sam Murray (MF), Ben McHenry (LSM/D), Luke Koehler, (LSM/D), Hunter Kronk (MF), Max Modrovich (A), Jace Vasbinder (M), Colin York (LSM/D) and Jacob Keisel (A).
“As the new head coach, it’s honestly been great getting to know this group,” Riesmeyer said. “Our expectations are simple: show up, work and compete every day. If we do the small things right and stay consistent, we’ll put ourselves in a good spot for a great playoff run.
“We’ve got a good group of returning guys, especially some upperclassmen who have played real varsity minutes. That experience should help us early as we figure things out.”
At the forefront of things to figure out is a starting lineup.
“We have an idea,” Riesmeyer said, “but it’s definitely still evolving. We’ve had a lot of good competition in practice, so we’re letting that play out and seeing who earns those spots.”
Anderson, Quentin Marcotte (MF) and Sam Musmanno (A) are the only juniors on the team, and there are four sophomores: Nate Miller (A), Roman Gabriele (A/MF), Ian Elliott (MF) and Thomas Minnock (MF).
The freshman class is represented by McKenna, Caleb Tomer (MF), Harris Miller (MF), Greyson Glass (LSM/D), Michael Fuener (MF), Jasper Newlin (D) and Lincoln Bergmann (MF).
“The buy-in has been really good,” Riesmeyer said. “We’ve had some younger guys step up and compete right away, which has been great to see and has pushed everyone.
“We keep it pretty straightforward: be disciplined, communicate and take pride in the little things. If we can do that consistently, everything else starts to fall into place.”
The Quakers advanced to the WPIAL playoffs last season as the No. 10 seed in Class 2A where they were defeated by No. 7 Bethel Park, 12-10.
McHenry, Koehler, Kronk, Modrovich, Vasbinder, McKenna and York all played for the Penguins Cup/state championship QV hockey team this season.