As they seek their 10th win of the regular season this week, the Harwood Union High School boys lacrosse team is eyeing a deep playoff run.
Last spring, Harwood defeated Hartford in Vermont’s Division II state championship game, and a title game rematch is possible if both teams can navigate a tough playoff slate in the coming weeks. The top six teams include Hartford (11-1), Harwood (9-1), Milton (10-2), Mt. Abraham (9-3), Brattleboro (7-4) and Montpelier (8-3).
Harwood’s final two games of the regular season are an away game versus Milton on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. and a home game versus Spaulding on Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m. Playoff seedings will be announced Thursday, June 4.
“The closer we get to the playoffs, the more excitement you can feel with this team. We’re lucky to have a great collection of leaders, young energy and role players on this team. Everybody plays a key role,” said head coach Chris Lamonia.
Harwood opened the season with a seven-game win streak, beating Lyndon Institute (15-0), Bellows Free Academy (12-0), St. Johnsbury Academy (11-4), Stowe (13-2), Mount Mansfield (10-4), Colchester (14-0) and Mt. Abraham (12-4).
After its lone loss of the season to Hartford (8-5) at home on May 15, the team rattled off another streak of wins, beating Montpelier (15-3), GMVS (17-4) and Stowe (13-3).
The Harwood team is anchored by a stout and quick defense, led by an experienced crew of long poles including senior captain Eli Herrington, juniors Sawyer Pekarski and Levi Colon and sophomore Kyle Leighty. Defensive middies Griffin Nelson and Chapin Rivers have been essential as well.
In the net, first-year starting goalkeeper Liam Cleveland has risen to challenges repeatedly on the season, racking up 91 saves on the year, including five games with 10 or more. Offensively, 17 players have scored for the Highlanders this season, including three defensive players.
Senior attackman Milo Lavit scored his 100th career goal early in the season and has racked up 31 goals and 15 assists. Sophomore Charlie Lamonia, playing both attack and midfield, leads the team in scoring with 32 goals and 16 assists on the year.
Bryson Scharf has 18 goals to date, including a breakout four-goal performance versus Mount Mansfield Academy. Sophomore Sam Pashby (nine goals, five assists) and junior Brodie Hackett (six goals, six assists) are steadily racking up their own numbers as they see more playing time on attack.
On the midfield, Harwood’s faceoff duo of junior Noah Fleckenstein and sophomore Lev Ibson is providing consistent strength in the key role. Notably, Fleckenstein has a 67 percent win rate on the season so far.
Junior midfielder Braedon Bellows was named the Breakout Player of the Year by the Burlington Free Press. Two-way players junior Bridger Lillard (10 goals, 13 assists) and senior standout Felix Kretz (seven goals, two assists) have been strong on both offense and defense.
