For two straight seasons, Cody Kelley, Jack Croasdale and the rest of the Manchester Memorial boys lacrosse team have endured different coaches, different systems and the same heartbreak that comes with consecutive 0-16 campaigns.

So this season, Kelley and Croasdale’s junior year, there’s a push for change.

With Memorial alum Joe Bernier at the helm, the Crusaders have put an emphasis on defense.

They’ve added more plays to help solidify an offense brimming with young talent. The midfield – led by senior and Auburn native Kyle Charbonneau, senior Chas Sullivan and junior Patrick Bresnahan – and the defense – headed by Kelley, Croasdale and returning goalie Richard Kelley – are experienced.

Thrown all together, Memorial hopes it equates into winning. Heck, it hopes it equates into a win.

“Yeah, (the program) needs a win,” Kelley said with a laugh following practice on Saturday, April 14. “It needs some kids who know how to win and know how to put the ball in the net.”

Fortunately, Memorial has some of those, too. In Charbonneau, Kelley and Croasdale, the Crusaders have three leaders who helped guide the school’s hockey team to the Division I semifinals this past winter. Simply put, they know how to win, and that experience will go as far as any spin move or hard shot will take them.

As for the scoring part, the Crusaders hope they have that covered in returning sophomore Matt Cormier who, as son of a lacrosse coach, has both the background and the touch around the net to produce some goals. Joining him are freshman Brandon McMaster, a goalie on the hockey team but attackman by spring, and Scott Morin, another promising scorer.

Though the recent weather has postponed the team’s first two games, Kelley said the delays may have been a good thing.

With a new coach and so many new faces, the Crusaders have used the extra time to get a better feel for one another’s games, as well as the expectations Bernier has for them.

“I just think when we show up, most teams are going to have to play the entire game; there’s no quit in these kids,” said Bernier, who helped coach the school’s club team four years ago. “I say the only thing that’s going to fix any problem is hard work.”

“It’s definitely ready to win, to be a better program,” Kelley added.

“I think we can definitely get over that hump this year.”

The Crusaders are scheduled to host Souhegan of Amherst on Thursday, April 19, before traveling to face Nashua North on Monday, April 23, and city rival Manchester West on Tuesday, April 24.