Charlotte-area lacrosse preview: Top boys, girls players, teams to watch this season

The Observer is previewing the best spring sports athletes and teams in the region. Here is our look at the boys’ tennis season.

Boys’ Teams to Watch

Hough: Huskies’ senior midfielder/faceoff George Kalos (University of North Carolina commit, 200 groundballs), and senior attacke Peyton Turner (University of Tampa commit, 43 goals) return to lead a 4A state runner-up team with championship expectations.

Marvin Ridge: The defending 1A/2A/3A state champions have a senior-laden team led by defender Brady Villa (Miami (OH) football commit), goalkeeper Owen Baxter (University of Tampa commit) and attacker Beck Sutton (31 goals).

Providence Day: The defending NCISAA state champions (18-1) will have to reload a bit, but have some key players in all-state senior defender Connor Glosson (University of Tampa commit), junior midfielder Connor Clark and sophomore attacker Alex Jessey (33 goals, 29 assists last year).

Girls Teams to Watch

Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars return eight starters from a team that went 14-3 overall, advancing to the NCHSAA semifinals. This season, Charlotte Catholic will lean on its offense with All-Americans senior midfielder Kate Draddy (52 goals, 52 groundballs, 87 draw controls, William & Mary commit) and All-American junior midfielder Molly Baumgratz (44 goals, 43 groundballs, 32 draw controls, University of Delaware commit).

Charlotte Latin: The defending NCISAA state champions return eight seniors, led by the all-state twin sisters and midfielders Megan and Paige Klingenberg (both University of Denver commits), who combined for 104 goals and 36 assists last year. The Hawks all return all-state performers in senior attacker Millie Mattei (27 goals) and junior midfielder Crawford Fisher (34 goals), which gives them the firepower to repeat.

Weddington: The NCHSAA state runner-up have several key playmakers returning, led by with senior goalkeeper Charlotte Hoffman (117 saves), senior midfielder Ellie Webb (30 goals, 111 groundballs) and sophomore Elektra Koulouris (44 goals, 71 groundballs).

Boys’ Lacrosse Players to Watch

Ryan Curry, Ardrey Kell: The Bellarmine University signee (20 goals, 10 assists last year) and junior midfielder, Brooks Stankavage (14 goals), will both have to step into bigger roles for an Ardrey Kell team that lost 18 seniors to graduation.

Brayson and Brevin Wilson, Cannon School: The brothers complement each other well. Brayson, a junior goalkeeper and University of North Carolina commit, saved nearly 65 percent of the shots on goal last season. Brevin, a sophomore attacker, led the team with 57 goals and 36 assists.

Bryce Hoben, Charlotte Latin: The Hawks’ junior goalkeeper is a three-year starter who had 168 saves last year.

Ben Irmscher, Charlotte Catholic: The Washington & Lee commit (45 goals, 22 assists last year) headlines an experienced Catholic offense that will have to score while a younger, Cougars’ defense develops.

Ryan Kazella, Weddington: The Warriors’ attacker (34 goals, 36 assists last year) gives the Warriors two dynamic senior playmakers, along with classmate and midfielder, Michael Cooper (30 goals, 14 assists).

Grant Larson, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ senior midfielder/faceoff and Denison University commit led his team, which reached the NCISAA state quarterfinals, with 177 groundballs last season.

Griffin Peterson, South Mecklenburg: Sabres’ four-year starter, a Sewanee commit, led South Mecklenburg team with 34 goals, 19 assists last year.

Shane Supek, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ senior midfielder and captain (four goals, two assists, 58 percent faceoffs won last year) is “a typical, Lake Norman grinder, and one of the we’ve had,” according to Lake Norman lacrosse coach, James Brugger.

Holden Vance, Charlotte Christian: The Wingate University commit, a senior attacker, is back to lead Knights’ offense.

Girls Lacrosse Players to watch

Ella Brannock, St. Stephens: The Indians’ senior midfielder/attacker was the Northwestern Foothills’ 2A conference player of the year with 46 goals and 11 assists last year.

Katie Caffrey, Sun Valley: The Spartans’ senior goalkeeper had 222 saves last year, stopping nearly 62 percent of the shots on goal.

Kate Denmore/Evelyn Scallion, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ all-state duo headlines a Mavericks’ offense. Denmore, a senior, scored 55 goals to go with 33 assists last year, while Scallion (Penn State commit), a junior, had 38 goals and 21 assists.

Stella Ray, Myers Park: The George Washington University commit (12 goals, nine assists, 32 groundballs, 47 draw controls last year) is back to lead a Mustangs team looking to build on a 13-2 record in 2021.

Sydney Schulze, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ senior all-state midfielder had 63 goals, 20 assists, 38 groundballs and 164 draw controls as a junior.

Mary Sorvillo, Lake Norman Charter: The Catawba College commit is a major playmaker for the Knights. Last year, she scored 31 goals with nine assists, while collecting 78 groundballs.

Boys’ Lacrosse Notes

On the Rise: First-year, Porter Ridge head coach Hayden Armistead is excited about his new team with 15 players back led by Randolph College commit, defensive midfielder, senior, Lucas Miller. The Pirates, 3-12 last season, have never had a winning season in program history.

Saving Goals: Charlotte Country Day senior goalkeeper Ian Firth had a school-record 266 saves in 2021, putting him fifth all-time in saves (503) in school history.

Young South: The South Mecklenburg lacrosse team might be one of the youngest squads in the area with 10 sophomores on the roster, according to Sabres’ lacrosse coach Jesse Drury.

Girls’ Lacrosse Notes

Numbers Up: The Lake Norman Charter girls’ team went a more than respectable 7-5 with only 15 players last season, and should be improved with 26 players trying out this season.

Postseason First: The St. Stephens’ girls’ lacrosse team made the NCHSAA playoffs for the first time in school history last season with Northwestern Foothills’ 2A conference coach of the year Emily Earp leading the way.

Varsity Jump: The Cannon School girls’ lacrosse team enters their second year as a varsity program after jumping straight from the club level to varsity last year under coach Brittany Pasut. The Cougars (2-14 last year) now some experienced players to build around, including senior Ava Nitzan (nine goals), and juniors Ella Kungl (17 goals) and Caroline Mills (24 goals).

This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.