Big Goals
ADAMS TWP — Even a program as strong as Mars boys lacrosse dealt with some uncertainty entering the 2021 season.
But those question marks were soon swept away, much like every one of the team's opponents this spring.
The Planets won their fifth consecutive WPIAL championship last month and enter Saturday's Class 2A state quarterfinal against District 3's Trinity with a perfect 20-0 record.
“It was hard to have too many expectations with everyone missing last year,” said Mars coach Bob Marcoux, “but we had some freshmen play major roles on our 2019 team and they've turned into a very strong junior class for us.
“The energy level was really high for this season.”
Josh Lambert, who has been the team's defensive coordinator for five years, took over the offense this season. His strategy has allowed Mars' attack more freedom as opposed to following scripted plays.
The results have been striking.
Mars is averaging nearly 19 goals per game, outscoring its opponents 373-61 in the process.
“The attack gets free rein,” said junior Wesley Scurci, who tallied a team-leading 58 goals and 43 assists in the regular season. “No matter what set we're in, we can do pretty much whatever we want. Teams can't scout our offense because it's always something different.”
For his efforts, Lambert has been named WPIAL Class 2A Assistant Coach of the Year.
With the players able to freelance, it is essential that this group has chemistry.
“It's improved as the season has gone on,” Marcoux said. “This team has a high lacrosse IQ, a lot of smart kids. The players know their roles, what they are doing and what their teammates are doing.”
Nick Crowley was right behind Scurci with 52 goals, Austin Cote contributed 41 goals and 34 assists, Josh Seipp 35 goals.
Spurring the offensive effort are Jack McKenzie and Ian Edinger, a freshman and sophomore, respectively, who have combined to win 67 percent (148 of 220) of their faceoffs.
“At the beginning of the season, we had no idea who was going to be taking faceoffs, but those two have been impressive,” said Marcoux.
The defense is also incredibly strong, evidenced best by a single stat. While shutouts in lacrosse are normally very rare, Mars has earned four of them this season, including a 12-0 blanking of Hershey in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday.
Junior Quinn Fuller, who has already set Mars' career record for caused turnovers, is “the best defender in our program's history,” Marcoux said.
Opponents are often facing a large deficit against the Planets, which causes them to take more chances.
“Teams are always looking for any way to score against us,” said Fuller, who has committed to play at Jacksonville University. “We just stay calm. If they show us something new, we don't panic.”
Senior goalie Jake Gareis has stopped 61 percent of the shots he's faced.
“The thing that sticks out about Jake is his quickness,” Fuller said. “He's very consistent. There are times he makes a great save and we're like, “Wow!”
Gareis would have been the starter in net last year, but the entire season was canceled. He has the unique opportunity to win a state title in two different sports. He was the starting goalkeeper on the boys soccer team, which won PIAA gold last November.
“Everyone really wants it, badly,” said Gareis. “Lacrosse is such a fun sport. I love being out there as much as I can.”
