Boys lacrosse remains in charge of FVC
HUNTLEY — The Huntley boys lacrosse squad responded to an overtime loss with three victories and kept its lead in the Fox Valley Conference.
Their latest win was on the road, at rival Hampshire, 18-9, May 2. The Whip-Purs and Cary-Grove were tied for second in the league at 5-1 behind the Red Raiders (10-4, 6-0 FVC). Lopsided wins came against Prairie Ridge, 24-1 and Burlington Central, 20-1 following a 10-9 overtime loss to Hinsdale Central.
One highlight was leading scorer Bobby Pupich’s six goal night against Prairie Ridge. That effort helped increased his goal total to 55 and he has 26 assists for 81 total points.
The Red Raiders, ranked 18th in Illinois, face Crystal Lake South away May 7 before a senior night clash with Cary-Grove.
“I think we’ve played well together,” Cole Copersmet said of the pre-Hampshire league wins. “We’re clicking well.”
“We’re distributing it well,” coach Dominic Ssccomanno said.
Three boys lacrosse seniors took part in the Red Raiders’ spring signing day for seniors who will participate on college teams next year. They are Copersmet, who will attend College of DuPage; Nico Andrews, Columbia (Mo.) College and Gabe De La Pez, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
“We’re going to miss all three. They have played a lot of varsity soccer and at the club level since fourth or fifth grade,” Saccomanno said.
Andrews has 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points, and said he likes leading the Red Raiders in assists this season.
“I like to show the sophomores the importance of working hard and team play,” Andrews said.
“I just liked the campus,” he said of college. “I hope to play attack and midfield.”
Copersmet tallied 21 goals so far and five assists for 26 points. His selection of the junior college College of DuPage was helped by a good first impression.
“I thought the campus seemed very ‘homey’ plus coach Saccomanno’s son, Mark goes there,” Copersmet said.
Senior goalie Collin McDougall anchors the defense. He has 71 saves on 155 opponents’ shots and a goals against average of eight.
Other players who have double-digit goals in a 200-goal plus offense (14.6 goals per game) are: junior SJ Engmann, 26 goals, three assists, 29 points and De La Pez, 16 goals, three assists, 19 points.
Also contributing to the offense were sophomore Joe Ferrara, nine goals, two assists, 11 points and soph Giovanni Baggio, seven goals, five assists, 12 points.
