The Poolesville High School boys lacrosse team finished 10-2 in the regular season, placing them atop their division and earning a top seed in the state playoffs. The keys to their success? The large senior population and Head Coach Stuart Orns.

Of the 25 players on the team, 16 are part of the class of 2023, and have multiple seasons of experience under their belts. According to interviews with team members Mason Hillegas and Jack Roe, this experience has allowed them to find their stride early in the season and pick up where they left off last season. Their varsity experience has propelled the team to its current position at the top of the division.

“Our team’s early success came from our last couple years on the team together,” Hillegas said.

“With our varsity experience coming into this year it helped us start our season where we left off last year.” 

“Our seniors give our younger players tips that have led us to success,” said Roe, the team’s leading scorer. 

The seniors have been particularly useful in helping the younger players improve.

“I use my experience to help the younger guys practice the fundamentals consistently,” Hillegas said. “The fundamentals are the most important part of the game.” 

“Being able to learn from the seniors on the team has definitely helped me improve my game over the last two years,” said Sean Radimer, a junior defenseman.

 This mentoring has created a cohesive team dynamic that has been a key factor in their early success.

Additionally, the team is deep, with everyone on the bench capable of contributing. The falcons have the largest roster in the division, allowing players to remain fresh. The large roster has proved effective in preventing fatigue during games. The team has kept their energy levels high throughout their games, which has further contributed to their success. 

Coach Orns has also been a vital part of the team’s success.

“Coach Orns has the right mentality and the drive to help lead our team to victory,” Hillegas said.

Orns’ experience, having played D1 lacrosse at UMASS, has contributed to his effectiveness as a leader. Orns is proactive in identifying areas the team needs to improve on and works on them, ensuring that the team continues to improve.

Poolesville outscored their opponents 140-64 in the regular season, which shows their dominance on the field. They won their division by 2.5 games, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

In conclusion, the Poolesville High School boys lacrosse team has had a hot start to the season, and much of their success can be attributed to their large senior population and Coach Orns. Their experience, leadership, and drive have been instrumental in helping the team find its stride early in the season. The team is looking forward to finishing the season strong and making a name for themselves in the division.