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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.

Who will be the top boys lacrosse teams this year?

Leave your answers below

Schedules are now available for the majority of high school baseball, softball, lacrosse and track teams for the 2008 spring season. Over the next couple of weeks, stories previewing what the spring holds for each team, rosters, and team and individual player photographs will begin to appear on RallyNorth. If your team has a schedule or roster that we do not have yet, please e-mail it to rallynorth @eagletribune.com.

John Whitney lives so close to St. John's Prep that he can cut across the athletic fields to get to class.

But next year, his commute will be a bit longer than across the street from his Danvers home.