BY SAPNA PATHAK

One year ago, a group of Goffstown High boys came together to learn a new sport. Twelve months later, those players proved the Grizzlies were ready to be considered an official lacrosse team.

After successfully completing their first season as a club team, the Grizzlies begin their inaugural year as a varsity sport. After more than 30 players tried out for last year’s squad, head coach Dave Moloney said popularity was no problem in attracting new faces to this year’s program.

Stepping into his second season as a high school mentor, Moloney said the sport was welcomed by the students and the move to a sanctioned sport was in line with his original plan.

“We thought we’d give it a year as a club sport and see how things went,” said Moloney, former lax coach at Saint Anselm College. “The students responded and it grew, so we went to the athletics director with the idea that we did well as a club sport and we had enough players.”

Facing various opponents from junior varsity, varsity and other club teams helped the Grizzlies develop the basics of the sport. Though most players hadn’t even held a lacrosse stick prior to last year, Moloney said work ethic and athleticism transformed some into “true lacrosse players.”

Seniors Mike Richards and captain Mike Carney join a core group of juniors in Kian Colbert, captain Scott Turgeon, Chris Battey, Josh Marks, Tim Maloney, Ian Guage and Dmitriy Mosiychok.

Making the move from collegiate to high school lacrosse challenged Moloney to change his coaching approach. He slowed down drills and focused on the sport’s basics instead of fine tuning already-existing skills.

“I have to go a little slower because the skill levels are different,” said Moloney. “Some players haven’t played before, whereas in college, they’re only playing lacrosse all year. The desire’s there and we’re competitive, it’s just the little things that I had to change.”

Leading the Grizzlies offense are midfielders Liam House-Myers and Brendon Shearin, while James Waller anchors the defense. Connor Nolan and Shearin teamed up for summer lax leagues; some players draw from other sports they played in the winter or fall.

While the theme of the program is growth, Moloney’s experience with the younger age group has brought the idea right in front of him.

Literally.

“The biggest thing is they grow so fast,” said Moloney with a laugh. “It’s a pleasant surprise to see some of them after eight months, and some of them it’s like, ‘Wow,’ when you see how they’ve grown physically.”

BY SAPNA PATHAK

Jess Brown is the first to admit she has a lot to learn. When she begins her second year as head coach of the Grizzlies girls lacrosse team, it’ll be with plenty of questions. But she has equal enthusiasm to find the answers.

After coaching Goffstown as a club team last season, Brown heads up the Grizzlies when they begin their first season as a varsity sport this year. Still new to the sport, Brown said last year’s learning experience has extended into the current year.

But that doesn’t mean she has any doubts in her team’s ability.

“It’s a lot different than coaching a sport you’ve played or know a lot about,” said Brown. “But there’s a lot of opportunity to see other games and learn about the sport. It’ll take time for all of us, but we’ve had a great response, and the girls are ready to work hard.”

The Grizzlies went from a 27-player roster in 2006 to 47 girls trying out for spots on the ’07 junior varsity and varsity teams. Seniors Bri Willander and Kelsey Adams return as co-captains.

Brown, head coach of Goffstown’s varsity field hockey team, said having familiarity with her returning players will help the large group of newcomers. Junior goalie Sarah Nahodil will anchor the Grizzlies’ keeper crew.

With no seniors on last year’s team, Brown said some used the offseason to attend fall and winter lacrosse clinics. Current seniors Lorena Bouroncle, Britt Caron, Christine Bartlett, Alysha Volkman, Adams, Alisha Herbert and Kelly Vigneault return.

“It’s hard to single out some of the girls as far as where they’ll be playing as of yet,” said Brown, “because they’re so young and so much can change as the year goes on. They’re really dedicated to becoming better athletes, but it’s hard because the program’s only 2 years old.”

In their first year playing lacrosse, Molly Peach and Nicole Gibeault join the team as seniors and will compete for starting roles. While the attitude and athleticism are there, Brown said the team needs time to transform into strong competitors.

“When they’re playing girls who’ve been playing since sixth or seventh grade, and they haven’t started until ninth or 10th, there’s a learning curve there that we just don’t have,” said Brown. “You see teams that have developed really well, and we’re still trying to develop the basics.”