Hilton Tops Thomas 10-7 in Season Opener
The 2026 season is underway
Hilton opened its season with a 10-7 non-league win over Thomas on Thursday to start the 2026 sccholastic lacrosse season. The Cadets jumped out to an early lead and built a five-goal run in the second quarter to take control of the game. Sophomore Brendan Maxwell was solid in goal for Hilton, stopping 15 of 22 shots for a 68% save percentage.
Leading the way for Hilton (1-0) were sophomore attackman Drew Brien (3g-2a), sophomore attackman Cahlan Smith (2g-1a), junior midfielder Tyler Reger (1g-2a), and senior midfielder Anthony Mitrano (2g). Junior attackman Michael Charella scored his first varsity goal in the contest. For Thomas (0-1), sophomore midfielder Lucas Estelle led all scorers with three goals and two assists, while sophomore attackman Blake Jipson added two goals and sophomore attackman Jonah Jobson chipped in one goal. Junior attackman Logan Muisus also scored his first varsity goal in the game. In goal for Thomas, sophomore Joshua Jobson stopped 10 of 20 shots for a 50% save percentage.
The two teams traded goals in the third and fourth quarters, with Thomas pulling to within three at 7-10, but Hilton held on for the win. Hilton will travel to Greece Storm on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:00 PM, while Thomas will host Pittsford on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 PM. [ Story and BOX SCORE]
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and advanced to the sectional final. After losing top face off player Luke VanGorden to graduation, Pal-Mac hopes to build on last year’s performance.
Team Attack honors, a place on the Section 5 Class C All-Tournament Team, and a college commitment to NJIT. Reid Diehl also returns after scoring 75 goals with 43 assists and earning All-League First Team Attack honors and All-Tournament recognition, and a college commitment to Mercyhurst. Sophomore Max Hill is a third player with over 100 points last year. In the midfield, Brandon Dennie (D’Youville) and Branden Thomas return after earning All-League First Team and Finger Lakes Player of the Year honors, respectively. Defensively, Henry Beaton and Carson Lich (Ohio Northern University) return after earning All-League First Team recognition, with Lich also named Finger Lakes Player of the Year and First Team All State. In goal, Drew Ikewood returns after recording 156 saves and earning All-League First Team Goalie honors.
The 2026 schedule again features a mix of league and non-league contests. League games, designated as FLE matchups, include meetings with Wayne, Newark, Livonia-Avon-Geneseo, and Geneva. These games will serve as key measuring points within league play. The remainder of the schedule consists of NL matchups against teams such as Fairport, Brighton, Grand Island, Midlakes, Bloomfield-Honeoye, and Voorheesville.
This season brings a noticeable transition, as a productive senior class has graduated, leaving the team to re-establish its offensive identity while relying on experience gained across the roster.
Honeoye, Gananda, Midlakes, and Waterloo. These games will be important measuring points as the Blue Devils navigate league play. The remaining schedule consists of NL games against opponents such as Penn Yan, Newark, Wayne, Geneva, Pal-Mac, and HFL.
offensive production returning, the focus this preseason centers on growth and consistency across the schedule.
experience starters and young hardcore lacrosse obsessed players.” 
reflect a season with competitive moments and opportunities for improvement through continuity.
A strong group of returning players brings postseason recognition back into the lineup. Grady Goodberlet returns after a standout season in which he recorded 92 goals and 47 assists, earning Monroe County Division 3 Player of the Year honors, Section 5 Class C MVP, First Team All-Section, All-Tournament Team, and All-League First Team Attack recognition. Marco Vengoechea also returns after producing 46 goals and 35 assists and earning All-Tournament Team and All-League Second Team Midfield honors, along with announcing his college plans with Cortland. In goal, Jason Bennett returns after recording 190 saves with a 60.1 percent save rate and earning All-Tournament Team and All-League Honorable Mention honors. Additional returning All-League players include Jackson Coon, Braden Fugate, Lucas Gould, and Sam Jokl, giving HFL experienced contributors across multiple positions.
production. HFL recorded 15 wins by five or more goals and played one game decided within five goals, reflecting steady performance across the schedule.
roster that gained varsity experience, the emphasis this preseason is on turning continuity into more consistent results.
League honoree. In 2026, Marcus Whitman returns six rising seniors, three juniors, and six sophomores. That makeup provides a blend of leadership and youth, with many players having already logged meaningful minutes last spring.
The team recorded two wins by five or more goals and played seven games decided within five goals, including one one-goal win and two one-goal losses.
With most of last season’s scoring returning and a relatively small senior class lost to graduation, Newark begins the season with continuity on offense as it looks to improve overall consistency.
a solid core of upperclass experience. The absence of sophomores listed highlights a roster that will lean heavily on returning players who logged significant minutes last season.
season’s total, along with 38 assists, representing 73 percent of the assist production. Newark recorded four wins by five or more goals and played five games decided within five goals, reflecting a season with competitive stretches and room for growth.
Hobart has overseen the program’s sustained success across multiple eras. His experience and continuity remain central as the Mustangs transition from another accomplished senior class while maintaining established standards.
Section and All-Tournament honors, and announcing his college plans with Towson. Tukker Fisher also returns following a 57-goal, 41-assist campaign that earned him Second Team All-Section and All-Tournament recognition. Greyson Hathway returns as well after earning First Team All-Section honors, anchoring the midfield with extensive faceoff experience. This returning trio forms the core of a group that accounted for much of last season’s production. They will be join with junior midfielder Mike Gigliotti who returns for his fourth year on the Varsity with a career 56g-19a record and junior defenseman Carter MacKerchar.
within five goals, including two one-goal wins, reflecting both scoring depth and the ability to manage close contests.
A former high school player at Irondequoit, Hanss has overseen steady roster development and guided the program through consecutive competitive seasons. With much of the lineup returning, continuity on the sideline pairs with familiarity on the field.
Class C All-Tournament Team honors along with All-League First Team Midfield recognition. Tucker Eaton also returns after posting 22 goals and 13 assists and earning All-League Second Team Midfield honors. Wayne brings back multiple All-League defenders and midfielders, including Owen Raleigh, Cuyler Ruffell, and Ben Dodds. Gavin Hamel returns in goal after recording 180 saves last season. More depth comes along with players like Nick Caine, Ben Carbone, Cody Crandell, Ben Dodds, Brady Flynn, Owen Raleigh, Cuyler Ruffell, and Stone Sozio, all of whom earned All-League recognition at their respective positions.
recorded four wins by five or more goals and played seven games decided within five goals, including two one-goal wins and two one-goal losses, reflecting a season often shaped by narrow margins.
the program completed, Hicks leads a roster that is largely familiar with his approach and returns significant experience across all position groups. He is looking forward to the season. "Even though we have lost some key seniors our young guys have worked hard this off season and look forward to competing this season against some great teams. This group plays for each other and that’s what it’s all about."
Casper, Walker Landschoot, Kaden Guillaume, Jacob Middlebrook, and Duke Vansavage, giving Midlakes experienced depth across the field.
goals and assists, which provides stability and familiarity as the program moves forward in Class C.
decorated seniors, including Joey Cinquino, Max McEnerney, Colton Rose, and Henry Walters. Despite those departures, the returning roster accounts for all of last year’s offensive output, placing an emphasis on development rather than replacement.
Newark, HFL, Mynderse‑Romulus, Brockport, Bloomfield‑Honeoye, Midlakes, Waterloo, Marcus Whitman, and Gananda. The mix mirrors last season’s slate, offering both continuity and competitive variety.
The Rangers showed balance throughout the season, mixing decisive wins with a number of close contests, and advanced into sectional play. With seven seniors graduated but a strong returning core, Spencerport begins the season positioned to remain competitive while integrating new leadership roles across the field.
those losses, the roster remains deep, with two rising seniors, eight juniors, and five sophomores returning. That balance provides both experience and long-term continuity as players step into expanded roles.
decided within five goals, including one one-goal win and two one-goal losses, underscoring both scoring depth and competitive balance.
Booker is excited to return to the sidelines. "I am excited to be back coaching again! We have an interesting dynamic with the combination of players from six schools on one team. The goal is to come together and play the best brand of lacrosse we possibly can."
All-League Honorable Mention Attack honors in MC-d1, finishing last season with 12 goals and five assists. Chancellor Williams is also back after announcing his college plans with Hampton, adding another experienced presence to the lineup. Long Stick Midfielder Latoine Brown had 15 goals and 7 assists last year, but will not return as he graduated early.
Fairport. These games will be key reference points for progress within league play. The remaining schedule consists of NL contests against programs such as Gates Chili, HFL, Brockport, Batavia-Notre Dame, Syracuse City and City Honors, offering a mix of familiar opponents and continued evaluation opportunities. This year, for the first time, they will have the opportunity to play each of the inner-city school teams from Syracuse and Buffalo in the same season. Coach Booker say, "I think it's a great way to show the continued growth of lacrosse in our inner cities across the state."
A number of players chose not to return this spring. Among the departures is last year’s leading scorer, James Scantleburry, a Montreal native and standout in the BK Selects U16 hockey program. Scantleburry signed a tender agreement with the Chicago Steel for the 2025–26 USHL season.
There were four classes for the sectional tournaments. Canandaigua (B), and Penn Yan (D) were top seeds and won their championships. In Class A, Penfield (seeded third) won their games with Fairport (seeded second) and then with top-seeded McQuaid Jesuit. In the Class C tournament, second-seeded Honeoye Falls-Lima defeated top seeded Pal-Mac. 
