TREASURE VALLEY LACROSSE LEAGUE

The Team to Beat: Meridian

The Warriors were the league’s breakout team last season, and things are even looking even better heading into 2010. Billy Baker has taken over as head coach for Alain Rodrigue, and he has inherited a team that graduated just four seniors from last year’s semifinal squad. Meridian won 12 games last season, seven more than it did in 2008.

Meridian brings back a deep and talented roster, led by Robert Morris-bound senior goalie Michael Baker, who will become Idaho’s first NCAA Division I player. Meridan has six returning starters, with two back from the attack, one from the first-line midfield and two from the starting defense.

Senior attackman Erik Boschulte and junior middie Austin Mendiola were both second-team All-TVLL picks last season, and the Warriors will also get big contributions from junior attackman Tre Jarboe and junior defenseman Bill Chase.

Contenders: Timberline, Eagle, Boise, Bishop Kelly, Centennial

Defending Idaho state champion Timberline graduated seven seniors, including the state’s Player of the Year, and its two top scorers who accounted for more than 200 points of offense. But the Wolves still return a lot of firepower and will be one of the league’s top teams once again. Senior long-stick middie Taylor Britton, a second-team All-TVLL pick last season, is Timberline’s only returning player who picked up postseason honors in 2009.

Britton will be joined by a pair of standout sophomores on offense in attackmen Andrew Rusin and Nash Cantrell. Junior middie Levi Reynolds also knows a thing or two about putting up points. Senior middie Cody Cantrell and sophomore goalie Keven Brown will also be key contributors. In all, Timberline will be bringing back 12 varsity players from last year’s team.

There is a new head coach at Eagle, where Gary Wheeler has taken over for Greg Keyes. Wheeler has inherited a team that graduated just five seniors and had 14 sophomores on last year’s varsity roster. Eagle brings back seven starters, including two on attack, three in the midfield, one on defense and a second-team All-TVLL goalie in senior Jordan Pitzer. Junior middie Harry Sawyer also made the second-team All-TVLL list, and junior attackman Dillon Fix will be an impact player.

Boise graduated 13 seniors off its semifinal team, but it has five returning starters, including three who earned postseason honors. Junior middie Sayre Thomas is the next big thing in Idaho lacrosse, having earned first-team All-TVLL honors as a sophomore. He’ll be joined by senior long-stick middie Max McCarl, a second-team pick, and senior defenseman Ryan Erstad, a honorable-mention selection. Senior attackman Sam Hardison and junior goalie Adam Litster will also be big contributors.

Bishop Kelly graduated 14 seniors and will be extremely young this season, with just two seniors expected to make the varsity roster. However, head coach Blake Gaudet called this his hardest-working group ever. Bishop Kelly brings back just one starter and will be led by returning honorable-mention All-TVLL junior middie Jesse Rohr. Joining Rohr will be junior middie Patrick Tunison and junior defenseman Kevin Seibert.

This has all the makings of a rebuilding year for league finalist Centennial, but one can never truly count the Patriots out of it. Centennial graduated 15 seniors and has a different head coach for the fourth time in four years. Britt Cornaby has taken over for John Andrysiak, marking the third straight season Centennial has made a coaching change. Cornaby’s top returning player is returning second-team All-TVLL senior middie Dallin Wilkes.

Sleeper: Mountain View

There is a new boss in charge of Mavericks lacrosse, as former Boise head coach Alain Rodrigue has resurfaced to take over for Brad Morris. Rodrigue has inherited a team that graduated just five seniors and brings back four of its five top scorers. Mountain View will be led by senior attackman Kevin Doty, a second-team All-TVLL selection. Doty will be joined by the team’s top returning scorer, junior attackman Andy Epperson, senior middie Trystan Chambers, senior middie Chase Snyder and senior defenseman Neal Eldridge.

NCAA Division I Recruits: Michael Baker, G, Meridian (Robert Morris).

Baker was one of just two underclassmen to garner first-team All-Treasure Valley Lacrosse League honors in 2009. The other was Boise junior middie Sayre Thomas.

Other Top Players: Erik Boschulte, Att., Meridian; Taylor Britton, LSM, Timberline; Keven Brown, G, Timberline; Cody Cantrell, MF, Timberline; Nash Cantrell, Att., Timberline; Trystan Chambers, MF, Mountain View; Bill Chase, Def., Meridian; Nick Chase, MF, Wood River; Kevin Doty, Att., Mountain View; Neal Eldridge, Def., Mountain View; Andy Epperson, Att., Mountain View; Ryan Erstad, Def., Boise; Dillon Fix, Att., Eagle; Andrew Fletcher, Att., Centennial; Sam Hardison, Att., Boise; Brady Harrell, MF, Eagle; Tre Jarboe, Att., Meridian; Adam Litster, G, Boise; Duncan Mamer, LSM, Vallivue; Max McCarl, LSM, Boise; Andrew McGeachin, Att., Centennial; Austin Mendiola, MF, Meridian; Michael Neuenschwander, Att., Borah; Jordan Pitzer, G, Eagle; Levi Reynolds, MF, Timberline; Jesse Rohr, MF, Bishop Kelly; Andrew Rusin, Att., Timberline; Harry Sawyer, MF, Eagle; Taylor Seibenberg, Def., Centennial; Kevin Seibert, Def., Bishop Kelly; Chase Snyder, MF, Mountain View; Sayre Thomas, MF, Boise; Patrick Tunison, MF, Bishop Kelly; Dallin Wilkes, MF, Centennial; Deric Wilson, Att., Eagle.

Preseason Top 10: 1. Meridian, 2. Timberline, 3. Eagle, 4. Boise, 5. Bishop Kelly, 6. Centennial, 7. Mountain View, 8. Capital, 9. Wood River, 10. Rocky Mountain.

Notes: Wood River returns 12 varsity players and six starters from its 2009 team that won five games. Senior middie Nick Chase will lead the team....Borah expects to be better this year and anticipates it will bring back half its starting lineup. Freshman attackman Michael Neuenschwander is expected to make a big impact on the varsity in his first season.