For Rye Country Day’s boys lacrosse team, two of the game’s most critical roles, head coach and goalkeeper, will be filled by familiar names taking on new responsibilities.
Tim Powell, a former college lacrosse player, takes over as head coach after serving as an assistant for the Wildcats last season. Powell, who had a distinguished high school career as a defenseman at Iona Prep, is looking to rebuild and rejuvenate the team that was plagued by injuries and ended last season earlier than they hoped with an NYSAIS playoff loss to Riverdale Country School.
Junior attack and Army commit Joe Rafferty returns as a lynchpin of the Wildcats’ offense, and scored seven goals in Country Day’s 15-13 season-opening win against Long Island Lutheran on March 25. Equally important to the team’s success will be another Rafferty, sophomore Sebastian, who takes over in net after anchor goalie Nick Vlasto graduated last year. He fared well in his first varsity start, making 10 saves.
Junior captain attack Milin Torgalkar had four goals in the back-and-forth opener, and freshman Xander Harwood scored three. Torgalkar, who missed most of last season with an injury, is expected to be a major force on offense, as well as midfielder senior captain Blake Jachman and freshman Alex Vlasto, who picked up 28 faceoff wins against the Crusaders.
Other midfielders to watch are senior captain James Murphy, junior Charlie Pearle, and junior Xavier Perkins. Defensive leaders include senior captain Ari Israel, sophomore William Hawkey, and junior Dimitris Goneos.
The Wildcats will compete in both the Fairchester Athletic Association and the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
