Twelve players that had been a key component of the Highland boys’ lacrosse team’s success over the past several years have graduated, most of it on offense, and the Huskies that remain will have to lead from the back, as the team’s strength looks to be in its experienced defenders.

Gone are key attackmen Frankie Guidi, Dean Klotz, A.J. Palmer and Logan Zehr, and midfielders Logan Zehr, Chris Mooradian, Mike Murphy and Ryan Auchmoody; Longstick midfielder Osei Adoma; and defenders Shaun Piegari, Aden Wiser, Carson Young and Owen Albright.

“We will be incredibly young this year, as we graduated very good players last season,” Highland coach Tom Schlappich said.

The Huskies’ defense will be led by All-Section goalkeeper Landon Zehr, and three experienced defenders in Josh Yeaw, Mark Cozzupoli and Andre Coleman. The Huskies also will look to returning midfielders Matthew Castellani and Ben Canino to team with new attackman Liam Conn to provide an offensive spark.

However, the Huskies are looking to also build upon the success of the past two years. They reached the Section 9 Class C championship game in 2021, where they lost to the Wallkill Panthers, and they finished last season with a 9-8 record before falling in the Section 9 semifinals to the Rondout Valley Ganders, who went on to win the championship.

They opened the season with a home game against two of the area’s largest schools, Pine Bush and Monroe-Woodbury, and will host Clarkstown North on Thursday at Marlboro High School.

The Huskies opened the season with a 7-2 win over the Bushmen on Thursday, and fell 9-7 to the Monroe-Woodbury Crusaders on Saturday afternoon.

“Our schedule is loaded with traditionally strong programs,” Schlappich said. “Moreover, our division will be incredibly tough this season. However, we hope to continue to improve and be in position to make the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season.”