Mount Hebron High School | Archive | March, 2008

LACROSSE PREVIEW: IS THE MOUNT HEBRON GIRLS’ DYNASTY IN DANGER?

Posted on 21 March 2008 by sporter.

by Rob Klemko

Mount Hebron High girls’ lacrosse coach Brooke Kuhl-McClelland labeled the upcoming season a rebuilding year for the 15-time state champions, indicating that this could be the first time in 11 years the Vikings don’t win the championship game.

The team’s 13 graduated seniors include five first team all-county selections and it’s player of the year – midfielder Jackie Doherty. In to fill those shoes is Monica Zable, a converted attacker who is one of the team’s only two seniors. Senior Defense Maria Gioia, who contributed from the bench last season, will anchor the Vikings’ defense.

Adding to the challenges, Kuhl-McClelland has lost the services of Alicia Krause, last season’s leading goal scorer, and Marriotts Ridge transfer Amanda Wedekind to ACL injuries each. That leaves just two returning starters. The Howard County coach of the year says she has had to tailor her game plan to the relative inexperience of her team.

“They’re really excited about the season and they’re learning as much as they can,” Kuhl-McClelland said. “They’re all eager, they take constructive criticism very well and they’re in a learning phase at this point, compared to the teams I’ve coached before.”

Can Mt. Hebron overcome a costly graduation and injuries to several entrenched starters?

“Obviously I’d love to think we would, but based on the fact that we lost a huge senior class I don’t know if we will be the big guns this year,” Kuhl-McClelland said. “I think we’ll be competitive, I’m not sure if we’re the best.”

As the “big guns” reload, the rest of the county is eager for revenge.

“When you’re out front that long you kind of have a bulls-eye tattooed on you,” said River Hill coach Jay Bond, whose team lost 14-5 to Mt. Hebron in last year’s regional championship. “Everybody’s dream is to upset Mount Hebron. So we see it as an opportunity for us and we hope to capitalize.”

Mount Hebron Vikings girls’ lacrosse, at a glance:

Coach: Brooke Kuhl-McClelland

2007 record: 19-1

Top returning players: Marta Chell, Jr., midfield; Maria Gioia, Sr., defense; Monica Zable, Sr., attack

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments

LACROSSE PREVIEW: MOUNT HEBRON MAY GO AS DOES MARC SAXTON

Posted on 18 March 2008 by sporter.

by Lem Satterfield

(See videos below)

Mount Hebron is the defending Howard County League champs after having, two years ago, won the Class 3A-2A state title.

Coach Michael McCarthy enters his second season, and will rely heavily on the leadership of returning, all-around player, Marc Saxton as well as senior defender Andy McCloskey.

“It will be a different challenge for us this year. We have about 12 upperclassmen on our roster. So it’s a young team, very inexperienced on the varsity level,” said McCarthy.

“We have four freshmen on the varsity right now. I can’t remember the last time a Mount Hebron team has ever had four freshmen on the varsity,” McCarthy said. “The kids are working hard, and we’re trying to get ready for May.”

Of the newer players to the Vikings’ lineup, McCarthy said, “athletically, they’re ready to play on varsity,” but, “mentally, they’re behind. That’s just going to take a little time. Only being out here for two weeks, they’re playing catchup.”

One year after having scored 42 goals and assisted on 32 others, Saxton has the looks as perhaps the league’s premiere player.

“Right now, Marc Saxton is our senior leader. He’s a returning first-team All-County attackman and he scored 79 points, with 60 or 70 ground balls. In my opinion, he’s the best player in the county,” McCarthy said. “On defense, Andy McCloskey has really stepped up. He’s a big, strong, physical kid. He’s vocal, and he’s really developed into a nice leader.”

But Saxton will draw specialized defenses designed to stop him, meaning a substantial part of his role will be in getting the rest of his teammates involved in the offensive transition as well as the finish.

 

Mt. Hebron
boys lacrosse, at a glance:

League: Howard County

Coach: Michael McCarthy 2nd
YR

Last year’s record: 12-6, Howard
County Leauge champs, Class 3A-2A regional semifinalists

Top returners: Marc Saxton, Sr., A; Addison Bond, Sr., G; Andy McCloskey, Sr., D; Bryan Kanahan, Sr., D; Kevin Meehan, Sr., M;   Charles Stroble, Jr., M; Alaric Goth,
Jr., D; Joey Meyler, Sr., M.

Top Newcomers: Ricky Murphy, Soph., M; Jay Richardson, Fr., D; Cole Hunt, Fr., M; Drew Hunt, Fr., A; Tommy Schaffer, Jr., D; Cody Gould, Fr., A; Nick Trainer, Jr., A.

Season Outlook: The Vikings graduated 18, seven of whom were starters, and, in addition, face their usually difficult tough out-of-county schedule, “which should help” later in the season, said McCarthy.

Processing your request, Please wait....

Posted in Uncategorized0 Comments


Alerts