Matt Regan didn’t need much time to get to know his players this preseason.

The Pelham High School boys lacrosse coach returned all but one athlete from last year’s 2- 12 squad, and Regan enters 2009 optimistic that this team can add significantly to that modest total.

Three seniors are crucial to Pelham’s success this year. Senior attacker Mike Woonton is the main goal-scoring threat, with CJ Ziogas poised to add plenty of assists to his career numbers. For a fourth season, Andrew Keegan guards the goal, entering the season with an improved all-around game.

Regan said an opposing coach told him he believed Keegan’s improved passing abilities may make him the best keeper in Division III.

Another senior expected to make a strong contribution is Sean Paradis, a former attacker whose speed and ability to throw and catch prompted Regan to move him to midfield.

Junior midfielder Tom O’Brien, new to the squad, transferred last year and is available to help.

Still, upperclassmen aren’t the only players leading the Pythons, with freshmen midfielders Alec Paradis and Josh Medeiros expected to make immediate contributions.

Paradis, said Regan, is perhaps his most physically gifted player.

In the past, Regan attempted to organize summer leagues and offseason programs for his players, with little interest from the athletes.

The mentor said PHS enters the year motivated after a strong offseason. A large number of Pythons committed to a Bedford winter league, and Regan said he has already seen vast improvement.

“There has been a big jump physically in the guys who were juniors last year and are seniors now,” said Regan. “Lacrosse is a sport where you have to believe you can do things. You have to have that edge. Going from being a junior to a senior, you get that confidence.”