Tech lax looks for right combination

Tech boys lacrosse coach Jay Richards is hoping the combination of returning players and an infusion of athletes new to the sport will be the ticket to a successful season.The Tigers, who open Wednesday (7) against the combined English/Classical team, suffered from low numbers last year. This year Richards is encouraged by turnout. He has 20-plus players, including several from the football team who have been picking up the game fairly quickly.The group of returnees includes junior Ryan Lippert, who was the starting goalie last year. Justin Taylor, also a junior, returns at long pole. He?s been with the team since he was a freshman. Anthony Shore was one of the team?s top defensemen last year. This is his second year playing. Also back on defense is senior Mike Peguero, a three-year player.Zach Zimirowski gives the Tigers some experience on attack (this is his third year) as does junior George Papageorgiou, and Joie Donnelly, one of two girls on the team. Sophomores Connor Robinson and Cody Enos return to the midfield.Richards said six of his players are football guys who came aboard as seniors.?I think there are some who wish they had started when they were younger,” he said.Despite the lack of experience, the fact they?re athletic has helped them pick up the game, Richards said.Richards said many of the skills involved in playing basketball, football or soccer are similar to those in lacrosse. The trick is picking up the stick and learning how to cradle and catch the ball.?They?re learning the positions. They know the game and they?re trying hard,” Richards said, noting that some look like they?ve already been playing a couple of years.Among the newcomers Richards is counting on are Nelson Lopez, a running back on the football team who will be a midfielder. Johvan Van, also a football player, will be in the midfield and Billy Ferraris and Anthony Felix will get the call on defense.?We have to break in new kids as middies, but this seems like a good group of dedicated players. They?ve been at every practice,” Richards said.The lacrosse team, like the baseball and softball teams, lost its practice field this spring due to the work being done on the fields adjacent to the school. Richards said his team has been at Manning Field every day for the past two weeks, but now that the games have started, practice will be in the area in front of the Tech gym. Although it presents some challenges, Richards said he?s able to accomplish a lot in the space and isn?t expecting it to be a major hardship.Richards has been coaching lacrosse since 2000. This is his fourth year back with the Tech program after leaving for a few years to coach at Bishop Fenwick.