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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Lacrosse season is upon us, and after a deep run into last season’s Division I South Sectionals, the Wellesley Raiders enter the 2019 season poised to be a dominant force in the Bay State Conference.
Despite losing one of their top scorers in Michael Bomes, who netted the game-winner in last season’s stunning 9-8 double-overtime upset of No. 3 Duxbury in the South quarterfinals, as well as goaltender Teddy Darcey, the Wellesley boys return a strong core of key impact players that should make a lot of noise under second-year head coach Jim Connolly.
Headlining the returns for Wellesley this season is senior captain and attack-man Hugh Callahan. The reigning Bay State Conference All-Star has led the Raiders in goals each of the last two seasons and figures to do more of the same this spring.
“We have a great core of seniors that I expect to do a good job leading our team. Our general goals are to take it day-to-day and work as hard as we can,” said Callahan on his team’s outlook and general goals entering the season. “We have long-term goals and wish to have a long postseason run, but as of right now our goal is just getting better each day. We had a lot of momentum after last year’s win over Duxbury and we are going to try and continue to build off of it early in the season. At the same time, our team knows this year is a whole new year and that is what we are focused the most on.”
As if one Callahan was not enough of a terror for opposing defenses to game-plan for, the Raiders also return Hugh’s brother, Carl Callahan, as the sophomore midfielder figures to take on a bigger role this year.
“Carl is a guy we expect to step up a lot on offense this year,” said Hugh on his brother. “He had a good freshman year last season and is continuing to improve and work on his craft.”
Two other notable returns for Wellesley this season come in the defensive end. Face-off specialist and midfielder Teddy Komjathy will look to build off of an impressive sophomore campaign that earned him Second-Team BostonLax Underclass honors. Senior defensive pole and St. John’s commit Anders Pineau also figures to be an anchor for Wellesley’s defensive unit.
“Anders [Pineau] is a great defensive leader that is looking to have a big season,” said Hugh Callahan on his fellow senior counterpart.
Wellesley will open its season at home against Weymouth on April 8.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.
