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:
  • Robert Koger, '08, Defense
    Scarborough, Ontario
    To attend:
  • Stephen Keogh, '07, Attack
    Toronto, Ontario
    To attend: Syracuse 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
    
• Second Team
  • Nate Billings, '08
    Goalie, Woodstock, VT
  • Kevin Whelan, '08
    Attack, Topsfield, MA
• Dan Hutchins, '08
  Defense, Wolfeboro, NH
  
  
  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
    

The Team

Brewster is primed for another successful season in 2008. The Bobcats will have a large senior class leading them in the spring. Returning seniors Damon Edwards (M), Robert Koger (D), Nate Billings (G), Dan Hutchins (D), Jared Hillenbrand (M), Kevin Whelan (A), Erik Rieger (M), Trip Finneran (D), Todd Palmer (A), Greg Healy (M), and Chris Melanson (D) will bring their experience to this year's team, along with newcomers Carter Bender (A) and Paul Harrigan (D). "We have our strongest senior class in many years," said Coach Bill Lee. "Also, we have a new group of players -- returning juniors and new juniors -- who will make positive contributions as well." The Bobcats will have another rigorous schedule, playing some of top teams in New England again this year. Teams like Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, Rivers School, Northfield Mount Hermon, Kimball Union, and Holderness are just a few of the schools on the 2008 schedule. Also, the team welcomes new assistant coach, Fred Garnsey, who has been coaching lacrosse for over ten years. Garnsey replaced Matt Rowley who is now the head lacrosse coach at UMASS-Boston.

"The Brewster Lax Road Show will be at it again in 2008"

Marrch 20, 2008 - The Brewster Academy Lacrosse Team is gearing up for another exciting season of lacrosse this spring. With its annual Florida trip wrapped up and the March Break coming to a close, the Bobcats will jump into an intense preseason and regular season schedule starting March 24th. With 17 games on the docket -- 12 of which are away (and 3 away preseason tilts) -- Brewster will be showcasing a talented and experienced (14 seniors) lacrosse team this year. "There is no question that we have the talent to do well this year," said Coach Bill Lee. "It will be a matter of coming together as a team as quickly as possible. We have a very competitive schedule this year, so it will be important to have great leadership, discipline, and unity." The Bobcats have added three strong lacrosse programs to its schedule this year: Pingree, Bridgton, and Tabor, along with past programs: Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover, Rivers, Cape Elizabeth, and all teams from the Northern New England/Lakes Region League.

 

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The Coaches

Bill Lee
Head Coach

Coach Bill Lee is starting his seventh year as the head lacrosse coach and has a respectable 64-22 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 the assistant coach for the Brewster lacrosse team. Fred has a wealth of lacrosse knowledge. For the last 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 as part of the team this year.

 

 

 

 

 

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Player Profiles

Jared Hillenbrand    ‘08

Chicago, Illinois

Midfield

Jared has played varsity lacrosse for Brewster for three years.  He is a quick middie who helps generate the offense.  A vocal leader of the team, Jared will play an important role in the 2008 season.  “Jared has been a solid middie for us in the last three years.  I am expecting him to have a great season,” said Coach Bill Lee.  Jared enjoys the competitive schedule that Brewster plays and is looking forward to the team’s seventh year of attending the March Florida Camp.  “Florida is a great time for the team to get to know each other and start to build team chemistry,” said Jared.  “Also it is a lot of fun to be out in Florida with all your friends.”  Jared is looking to play lacrosse next year at either Roanoke, Rollins, Lynchburg, Virginia Wesleyan, or St. Leo’s.

 

 

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Damon Edwards  ’08

Scarborough Ontario

Midfield

First Team All Star Northern New England Lacrosse League

Damon is in his second year of playing lacrosse at Brewster.  As a box player from Canada, Damon has made the transition into the American field game.  “The transition from box to field was difficult at first,” said Edwards.  “But I enjoy a challenge and enjoyed how the coaches constantly pushed us to get better each week.”  Edwards had an outstanding year last year for the Bobcats scoring 23 goals and 27 assists.  “Damon is the fastest midfielder I have ever coached,” said Coach Lee.  “He will be a force at the college level.”  Damon has verbally committed to the University of Denver where he will play on scholarship.

 

 

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Robert Koger   ’08

Scarborough Ontario

Defense

First Team All Star Northern New England Lacrosse League

Another outstanding Canadian player, Robert is one of the finest under-19 defenseman in Canada and will be trying out for the U-19 Canadian team in October.  At 6’4” and 220 pounds, Robert caught the eye of University of Georgetown Coach Dave Urick – where Koger will play on scholarship next year.  Robert takes his defensive skills seriously and has high goals for the 2008 lacrosse season.  “As a defender, there are not a ton of individual stats to gauge how well you’re playing, but teams that win usually have a pretty good defense and winning is definitely the most important goal for me.”  Coach Lee loves Robert’s aggressive nature on the field.  “Robert loves a challenge and wants to play the best attackman in every game.  He is aggressive and possesses a great stick.  He is going to have a great year.”

 

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Kevin Whelan   ’08

Topsfield, Massachusetts

Attack

Second Team All Star Northern New England Lacrosse League

Kevin is one of Brewster’s only four-year players on the team.  His athleticism has made him a great lacrosse player.  “Kevin is one of those kids who can pick up a defensive stick at moments notice and play defense as if he has been doing it his whole life.  He is tremendously athletic,” said Coach Lee.  Whelan has enjoyed his four years playing for Brewster and especially likes the camaraderie of the team.  “I like playing on a great winning team, but also like the friendships that are made on the team.”  Next year Kevin is looking to play lacrosse at the University of Vermont, the University of Hartford, Springfield College, Curry College, or Western New England College. 

 

 

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Dan Hutchins  ’08

Wolfeboro, NH

Defense

Second Team All Star Northern New England Lacrosse League

 

Like Whelan, Hutchins is also a four-year player for Brewster.  Hutchins in known for his fancy moves with his defensive stick.  “Dan has one of the best defensive sticks I’ve seen over the years, but more than that, he is a great overall defensive player who can do it all – positional defense, take away checks, sliding, fast breaks,” said Coach Lee.  Hutchins is looking forward to a great spring and also enjoys the spring Florida trip each year.  “The team gets to bond even before the season starts,” said Hutchins.  “By the time the season rolls around, we’ve already played so much lacrosse, giving us a huge jump on other teams.”  Dan is looking to play lacrosse next year at Dartmouth, Bentley, or Providence.

 

 

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Nate Billings '08
Woodstock, Vermont
Goalie

Second Team All Star Northern New England Lacrosse League

Nate has been the starting goaltender since his sophomore year and has been one of the reasons the Bobcats have lost only two games in two years. Nate is a big goalie at 6'2" but has great quickness. "Nate loves the big game," said Coach Lee. "He has made some important stops over the years for us -- the ones that happen in the last two minutes of the game. It's great to have an experienced senior goalie between the pipes this year." Nate is looking forward to a great season and is hoping to post a "couple of shutouts." He is looking at the University of Vermont for next year.

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Erik Rieger '08
Novi, Michigan

Midfield

Erik is in his second year at Brewster. A starter at midfield, Erik brings a well-rounded background to the Bobcats. "Erik is a big athlete. He is our faceoff specialist," said Lee. "But he is also solid defensively. This year, I know he is looking to contribute more offensively." Erik is looking forward to his senior season, and he really enjoys the competitiveness and high level of lacrosse. "I think it's great to play on such a high profile team, and everyone is always pushing each other whether it's on the field or in the gym," said Rieger. Erik is looking to play at Colorado College next year.