Senior trio hopes to lead Fox Lane lax to another winning season

Clockwise from top left, Senior Will Oliverio has committed to play collegiate lacrosse at SUNY Albany. Owen Baker is a returning starter on attack for the Foxes. Declan Connors returns on attack for Fox Lane. JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS

Charlie Rice is back for his second season as head coach at Fox Lane. Jim MacLean Photo

By JIM MACLEAN

Fox Lane boys varsity lacrosse coach Charlie Rice is optimistic heading into his second season at the helm for the Foxes.

Last year Fox Lane finished at 10-7 overall after falling in the Section 1 Class B quarterfinals to rival Horace Greeley.

This year, Rice knows what to expect from his team, and he has a trio of senior veterans to lead the way for what he hopes will be another winning season for the Foxes.

“We have three senior captains that have been around the program for a while and that really helps,” coach Rice said of his senior trio. “We bring back a young group, and those three with their leadership and experience will be tremendous for this group. To have them back is great, they know the offense, know the system, and it’s kind of like having three more coaches out on the field.”

That trio of senior captains has all been on varsity since freshman year and they are ready for a big finish to their Fox Lane careers. They take on a bigger role this year as the Foxes lost a total of seven starters, five to graduation and two transfers to private school.

Will Oliverio leads the way on defense once again, he’s been a steady presence among the Fox Lane long poles since freshman year, and the senior captain has committed to play at the collegiate level next year at The State University of New York at Albany. 

On attack, senior captains Owen Baker and Declan Connors will lead a veteran offense with the capability to score a lot of goals for the Foxes. In addition to the two captains, John Mains is another returning starter on attack after scoring 25 goals for the Foxes last year.

“We have three of our leading scorers back on offense and they know each other well,” Rice said of the attack.

Tyler Davidson is another returning starter that will add to the offense from attack or midfield, and Ryan Hardie is another returner that Rice is counting on at midfield.

Junior Will Broghammer will take over a starting role on defense this year, after playing all over the field last season as a sophomore.

John Hamilton is taking over the starting goaltender job after missing most of last season with a broken collarbone.

“Now it’s his turn and he’s playing well,” Rice said of Hamilton. “After last year, he’s coming back with a chip on his shoulder and he should have a good year between the pipes for us.”

It will be a tough challenge in Class B against perennial powerhouse Yorktown and other top programs like Greeley to contend with, but Rice feels his team is ready for a chance to prove itself and turn in another winning season.

“We have 10 seniors and seven juniors, bringing back a lot of guys who know the system and our culture we’re trying to build here, a lot of guys who will be filling bigger roles this year,” said Rice. “It’s tough in Class B, a lot of tough teams, and we’re hoping for a winning season and to finish strong in the playoffs after losing in the quarters last year.”

Fox Lane will open the season with a couple of trips on the road across the river in Rockland County. The Foxes open Tuesday, April 1, at Tappan Zee, and then cross the bridge again Thursday, April 3, to take on Suffern. The Foxes then finish the first week on the road at Briarcliff on Saturday, April 5.