When the No. 8 Lady Generals’ 2008 lacrosse season concluded with a 23-10 loss to undefeated No. 1 seed Portsmouth in the Division III quarterfinals on Thursday, May 29, coach Jon Warner didn’t dwell much on the negative ending to a season full of so many positives.

“We had a winning record, we beat a couple teams we never beat before, and we made the playoffs for the second straight year,” he said. “And this season, that was no easy task.”

Indeed, Stark finished with an 8-6 record – best in program history – and reached the playoffs with seniors who improved themselves, and the team, each of the last four years.

“At the start of the season, if you told me we could have done all that, I’d be very happy,” said Warner. “With a couple different breaks, we’d have ended up with another playoff spot and wouldn’t have ended up playing Portsmouth. But even though we took a pretty good shellacking, the girls never gave up until the last whistle.”

Warner loses 10 seniors, including nine starters, and must rebuild primarily out of its current sophomore class.

Sam Aucoin, the team’s leading scorer, and fellow tri-captains Kelsey Wells and Steph Constant of Weare depart, as do Connie Honeycutt, who was second on the team in scoring.

Also leaving are Nikki Scarneo, Lauren Baum, Shelbie Connor, Brianna Duquette, Jordan Modine and Morgan Vogt.

Still, returning to form next season may not be as easy for the team as it was this year. Though the Lady Generals lost 10 seniors last season, only half started.

The class of 2008 contributed throughout the lineup, said Warner, and in some cases are nearly irreplaceable.

“We’re going to miss them all,” he said. “We’re losing two of three attackers, two of three offensive midfielders, my two defensive midfielders and all three defenders.

“Most of those seniors are going to be replaced by our current sophomores and probably some freshmen and JV players,” Warner continued. “It’ll probably be a little different dynamic, but the upside is that while next year might be a year we’re transitioning, the year after that the whole group of seniors will have four years, and at least a year starting, under their belt.”

Though they’ll be lacking experience next season, his player’s athleticism, said Warner, will keep the team competitive.

Those returning include Weare residents Angela Beaulieu, Jess Constant, Martha Fiala, Sydney Getzin, Alyssa Hawkes, Kayla Hubbard, Arelle Legrand, Cassie Purington and Meredith Wheeler.

Rachel Quimby, another Weare native, returns in net for her fourth season as starting goalie. She is one of five juniors.