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Sports

New Territory For Ledyard Boys' Lacrosse

New-Look Colonels Rebounding After Rare Regular-Season Loss

There were many signals that the Ledyard High boys' lacrosse team would undergo a transition year after an undefeated regular season and first ECC championship in 2010.

Seven of 10 starters graduated, including a 75-goal scorer, two 40-plus goal scorers, two of three middies and two of three long pole defenders.

Only the LA Dodgers ownership lost more than Ledyard lacrosse did.

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"I don't think anyone expected to go undefeated this year," Colonel coach Brian Martin said.

And in Ledyard's fourth game, the inevitable happened ... but barely. A traditionally strong Guilford squad from a respected conference nipped Ledyard, 8-7, in a road night game Tuesday to drop the Colonels to 3-1.

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The Colonels host Fitch today at 11 a.m.

Despite the Guilford loss, Martin doesn't believe the program's first regular season defeat since 2009 will set back the Colonels. Though it was Guilford's first win, the Indians had encountered a tough early schedule, including a 6-5 opening loss to East Lyme, projected as a co-favorite to win the ECC title along with Ledyard.

"The loss was not something out of the ordinary," Martin said. "Guilford has a great feeder program and always fields a quality team. It's positive for us to play some of the state's best non-league competition because it prepares you for playoff situations. We got down  to business Wednesday in practice. I don't see any lingering affects from losing."

Guilford held Colonel top scorer Connor Sweet, who entered with 11 goals in three games, to one score. Sweet is transitioning from middie, where he was Ledyard's top faceoff man, to attack in hopes of replacing the Colonels' vacated offense via graduation.

"Connor is working hard to get free," Martin said. Sweet scored six in 13-8 win over NFA. "In some ways, Connor drawing the top defender now is similar to last year when he drew the top defensive middie. Our philosophy now is more of a team effort to scoring. We're not going to have the flashy 70 goal scorer we had in Ryan Foster. A lot of guys can capitalize this year."

Tyler Rossi, Jon Schilke and Mike Delia, who took over for Sweet as primary faceoff middie, have chipped in offensively. Freshman Nick LoBianco tallied three goals, while Zach Gatewood and Brian McGarry added two each in a 13-3 rout of St. Bernard.

In what may or may not seem like a surprise, a first-year junior has emerged as Ledyard's second-leading goal scorer with six. It's unexpected when you consider it takes time for any athlete to develop stick skills. But perhaps it's not too stunning when you discover the junior is Alex Manwaring, the football and wrestling star.

"Alex is  a great athlete, smart and very coachable," Martin said. "It's easy to communicate with him on the field because he processes exactly what you are telling him and carries it out. He's been a huge help in his first year."

Cam Pollard and Sam Curtin have paced the defense in front of goalkeeper Slade Baxley. Martin also credits the defense of sophomore Kevin Kohlheep.

"He's done everything we've asked from a longpole defender," Martin said. "He's one of the young kids up from jayvee who is stepping in on varsity."

The Colonels, who host Fitch today, view undefeated Stonington as the prime competition for the ECC Small Division title. A rainout now gives Ledyard two straight games against the Bears May 7 and May 10. By then, Martin hopes the young players become quick studies and hasten the transition process from last year's champions to this year's future champs.

"I expect to be in a lot of close games if we play as good as we can," Martin said. "We didn't have many close games last year until the ECC Final and the states. I expect we'll accomplish our goals in a different fashion although I still expect a successful season."

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