Boys' Lacrosse

The Season

Brewster completed another strong season in 2008, going 14-2 and winning the Northern New England Lacrosse League Championship for the fourth year in a row. Highlights in the season were one goal victories over Rivers School (10-9 in OT), Bridgton Academy (12-11), Kimball Union (9-8) and solid victory over rival Holderness (12-6). The lone Bobcat losses were to Phillips Andover (7-4) and Phillips Exeter (8-7 in double overtime). "Overall, it was an incredible season in every aspect," said Coach Bill Lee. "We faced some adversity as a team this year on and off the field, but our bond was strong and a great sense of team kept us together. We had a great group of student-athletes. They were a pleasure to coach." Several Bobcats received accolades for their performances in 2008, including the selection of two All-Americans, midfielder Damon Edwards and defenseman Robert Koger. This was the first time in Brewster's lacrosse history that two players were named All-Americans in the same season. Also, Nate Billings, Jandro Brown, Dan Hutchins, and Carter Bender were named to the NNELL First Team All-Stars.

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NNELL All League Selections

• All American
  • Damon Edwards, '08, Midfield
    Scarborough, Ontario
    To attend: The University or Denver
  • Robert Koger, '08, Defense
    Scarborough, Ontario
    To attend: Georgetown University
    
• First Team
  • Nate Billings, '08, Goalie
    Woodstock, VT
  • Carter Bender, '08, Attack
    Calendon, Ontario
    To Attend: The University of Hartford
  • Alejandro Brown, '09, Midfield
    Amherst, MA
  • Dan Hutchins, '08, Defense
    Wolfeboro, NH
    To Attend: The University of New Hampshire
    
    Honorable Mention
• Kevin Whelan, '08, Attack
  Topsfield, MA
  To Attend: The University of New Hampshire
• Jackson Burris, '09, Midfield
  Amherst, NH
• Riley Merritt, '09, Defense
  Weston, MA
  
• Team Awards
  • Coaches Awards: Jared Hillenbrand, Kevin Whelan, Dan Huthins
    
• Scoring Leaders
  
  • Carter Bender -- 45 goals, 37 assists
  • Damon Edwards -- 16 goals, 24 assists
  • Justin Ingram -- 27 goals, 10 assists
  • Kevin Whelan -- 26 goals, 9 assists
  • Jackson Burris -- 25 goals, 11 assists
  • Alejandro Brown -- 16 goals, 16 assists
    
  • Stephen Keogh -- All time leading scorer at Brewster. 124 goals and 81 assists. 205 total poits.
    Single season scoring record set in 2006. 73 goals and 40 assists. 113 points
    
• Representing Brewster and the East (Eastern MA, NH, VT, ME, Ri) against the West (Conn and WEstern MA) in the Senior East/West All Star game at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 11 AM:
  
  • Damon Edwards
  • Robert Koger
    

Brewster Lacrosse 2009 Outlook

After going 14-2 in the 2008 campaign, Brewster is looking to replace a great deal of graduating talent and remain atop of the New England standings. "We lost a lot of scoring from last year's team," said Coach Lee, referring to the 157 points scored by '08 graduates Kevin Whelan, Carter Bender, and Damon Edwards. "But we have some guys back from last year and some new players whom we hope will fill that void." Senior midfielders Alejandro Brown, Jackson Burris, and Jeff White, along with attackman Justin Ingram are a few returners who should add some firepower to the offensive arsenal. Some new players should help too. Attackmen Jared Boudreau (Vermont), Dylan Koontz (New Jersey), and midfielders Mike Woods and Brett Conway (both of Ontario) should make an impact on the team. Defensively, the Bobcats lost All-American defenseman Robert Koger to Georgetown and All-League defenseman Dan Hutchins to UNH. This year, Coaches Lee and Garnsey are hoping Riley Merritt, Breck Merritt, Guillaume Cyr, Stefan Lutzenkirchen, Evan Price, and newcomer Mitch Chapman will hold down the fort on defense. Fortunately, the Bobcats return Nate Billings at goaltender. Billings, back for a post-graduate year, has only lost five games in goal for Brewster in the last three years. "Defensively, we'll be young, but having an experienced goalie like Nate will be very helpful," said Lee. Overall, the Bobcats look forward to defending their Northern New England Lacrosse League crown in 2009. This year Brewster will battle against strong league opponents, Kimball Union, Holderness, Cushing, Hebron, New Hampton, Tilton, Vermont Academy, and Proctor, along with out-of-league opponents Bridgton, Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, Northfield Mount Hermon, Pingree, Tabor, Cape Elizabeth, and Rivers.

 

 

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The Coaches

Bill Lee
Head Coach

Coach Bill Lee is starting his eighth year as the head lacrosse coach and has a respectable 78-24 record. "I take pride in the fact that Brewster lacrosse is back on the map," said Lee. Brewster is now a legitimate contender in the Northern New England Lacrosse League and has done well against the likes of Holderness School, KUA, and other league opponents. Lee brings a passion for lacrosse and coaching to Brewster Academy, and he enjoys working with the student-athletes here. "We have very dedicated student-athletes here at Brewster. They have vigorous academic and athletic schedules throughout the year, but they are diligent in both."

Coach Lee is no stranger to coaching lacrosse. In 2005 Lee was named Coach of the Year by the Northern New England Lacrosse League. Lee was selected by other league coaches for the honor.

In 1997 he founded the boys' varsity lacrosse program at nearby Kingswood Regional High School  . As a college student at Knox College, he played midfield for four years and was leading scorer and MVP in 1989 and 1990. From 1996 to 1998 he coached elementary and middle school children in the local Abenaki Lacrosse League, and from 1991 to 1993 he was the freshman lacrosse coach at Pinkerton Academy where he had played on the lacrosse team as a student.

Fred Garnsey
Assistant Coach

Fred Garnsey is going into his second season asassistant coach for the Brewster lacrosse team. Fred has a wealth of lacrosse knowledge. For four years he was Brewster's junior varsity lacrosse coach and before that he was the head coach at Kingswood Regional High School. Also, he has been an instrumental part of the local youth lacrosse program (Abenaki Lacrosse) since its inception over ten years ago. This will be a coaching reunion of sorts for Coach Garnsey and Coach Lee as they both coached Kingswood High School's first lacrosse team together in 1997. Fred graduated from the University of New Hampshire. The varsity team is excited to have Fred's experience and enthusiasm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Player Profiles

 

Nate Billings '09
Woodstock, Vermont
Post-graduate
Goalie

Nate will be completing a post-graduate year at Brewster after three years at the academy already, hoping to play at the college level next year. He was named to the First Team Northern New England Lacrosse League last year for his outstanding season at Brewster between the pipes. "Nate is the complete package as a goalie," said Coach Bill Lee. "He is a stopper, especially in key situations, but he can also make great clearing passes and can run down the field if he needs to. We are very excited to have him back for one more year." In his three years as a starting goalie at Brewster, Billings has only lost 5 games. He is looking forward to another good March trip down to Florida for preseason. "It is a lot of fun and is a great team bonding experience," said Billings. "There is a lot of good competition there so it prepares you for the season." Nate is looking to play on the college level next year.

 

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Alejandro Brown '09
Amherst, MA
Senior
Midfielder

Alejandro is in his second year at Brewster. His impact was felt immediately for the Brewster team as one of the leading scorers and best defensive middies on the team. For his great season, Jandro was the only Brewster junior to make the First Team All-League team. His quick feet and strong shot make him a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the field. "Jandro had a great season last year. His quickness and stickwork are exceptional," said Coach Lee. "Also, he is probably one of the best defensive middies I have ever coached." Jandro is looking forward to the '09 season as welll. " I have very high expectations for the upcoming season, both for the team and personally. I hope to win the lakes region again. Personally, I hope to recieve some type of personal accolade." Brown has committed to the University of Denver, where he will join '08 Brewster graduate and All-American, Damon Edwards.

 

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Stefan Lutzenkirchen '09
Quebec City, Quebec
Senior
Defense

Stefan, a hockey player by trade, tried out for the Brewster lacrosse team last year and immediately impressed his coaches. "Stefan is a physical, athletic player. He made up for his lack of stick skills with great speed, athleticism, and strength," said Coach Lee. "By the end of the season, he was passing and catching very well. We are really looking forward to his presence this year." Stefan seemed to enjoy his time with team last year and is also looking forward to the '09 season. " It looks as if we will have a good team," said Lutzenkirchen. "I can't wait to see. My goal for this year is to have the most fun possible and be the most useful for the team, as after, I shall retire from LAX." Stefan is hoping to play college hockey in the United States.

 

 

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Jeff White '09

South Hamilton, MA

Senior

Midfielder

Jeff is a three-year varsity player for the Bobcats. He possesses excellent speed and defensive quickness at the midfield. Coach Lee is looking for him to have a breakout season this spring. "Jeff runs like a deer and is great in the open field," said Lee. "I'm hoping he will be more of a scoring threat this year from up top. He's a hard worker, so I'm sure he will be much improved this senior year." White enjoys playing for Brewster and especially likes the high level of play. "I love the aggressive competition and playing with some great division I athletes," said White. "I also like the friendships and chemistry that are built within the team, getting out on the field with some great guys and doing what we love." Jeff is looking to play lacorsse at the Division III level, places like Springfield, Western New England, Roger Williams, UMass Dartmouth, among other schools.

 

 

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Guillaume Cyr '09

Quebec City, Quebec

Senior

Midfielder/Defense

Guillaume, like Stefan, is a second year lacrosse player who picked up the game very quickly. He seems to enjoy the fast pace and contact of the sport. As a superb athlete and hockey player, he has great hand/eye coordination that he has put to good use in learing about lacrosse. "Guillaume has been a great addition to our team," said Coach Lee. "He is a very hard worker who wants to do the best for the team. He doesn't have to play lacrosse, but he has grown to love the game. I know he is looking forward to this last year." Brewster's Palazzo Field is located 30 feet away from Lake Winnipesaukee, and Guillaume loves that he can enjoy the spring and play lacrosse at the same time. "I like the fact that we are always outside near the lake playing lacrosse," said Cyr. "You get a nice view and we have the opportunity to play every day outside under nice weather -- not too cold, not too hot -- just perfect. And sometimes a little swim after practice is also nice." Guillaume is hoping to play hockey for a college in the United States next year.