News Archive
Boys Lacrosse Opens 2018 & Defense Of ECC Championship
SETTING THE SCENE: The Milford High School boys lacrosse team, winners of a share of the first-ever Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship last spring, are set to open the 2018 season as they pursue a second league crown. The Eagles will welcome a new leader to the sidelines as Brian Cross, a familiar face in the Milford lacrosse community, takes over as head coach. Cross and the Eagles will find out early how they stack up as the open on Friday night at Moeller, the preseason No. 1 in the area. Milford will then open the home portion of the 2018 slate on Wednesday, March 21 when it hosts Indian Hill.
THE UPCOMING DOCKET: A look at Milford’s schedule for the upcoming week:
- Friday, March 16 at Moeller {at Landmark Christian}, 7:30 p.m.
- 2017 Record: 15-7, 1-1 GCL (1st area coaches’ preseason poll)
- Last Meeting: 2017; Milford 15, Moeller 5
- Series History: Milford leads 1-0
- Wednesday, March 21 vs. Indian Hill, 7:00 p.m.
- 2017 Record: 13-7 (RV area coaches’ preseason poll)
- Last Meeting: 2017; Milford 15, Indian Hill 13
- Series History: Milford leads 1-0
A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: While several key pieces of last season’s title winning team were lost to graduation, the cupboard is far from empty for the Eagles this spring. The 2018 roster features a trio of players already committed to play collegiately next year, including a pair that are reigning All-ECC first team honorees. The leader of the Eagles figures to be senior face-off specialist/attacker Dax Creager. Creager easily led the league in ground balls with a whopping 105 last year, while adding five goals and seven assists. Fellow first team honoree, senior A.J. Teague posted similar numbers as Creager, totaling 88 ground balls, four goals and seven assists. Another senior Ryan Hezlep, an honorable mention All-ECC choice in 2017 is also back to anchor the Eagles’ defense. Other key returnees from last season include seniors Rylan Childs, Gabe Tonucci and Michael Waltz and sophomore Sean Lyons.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s returning statistical leaders:
Goals: Sean Lyons (14), Dax Creager (5), A.J. Teague (4)
Assists: Dax Creager/A.J. Teague (7), Michael Waltz (6)
Ground Balls: Dax Creager (105), A.J. Teague (88), Michael Waltz (57)
Saves: Gabe Tonucci (25)
POLL WATCH: Milford is one of a handful of teams that are receiving votes in the preseason area coaches’ poll which encompasses all divisions. Moeller, Milford’s opening night opponent is the preseason number one with five of the eight first place votes that were cast. Fellow GCL member St. Xavier earned two top nods and second place, with third place Mariemont taking the final number one. Mason and Summit Country Day in a tie for fourth complete the top-five. Other ECC teams in the rankings including Loveland in sixth, Kings in eighth and Turpin joining Milford in others receiving votes. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.
COLLEGE BOUND EAGLES: A trio of seniors on the 2018 Eagles’ roster have already announced their intention to continue their athletic and academic careers on the collegiate level. Dax Creager has signed a National Letter of Intent at High Point University, while Ryan Hezlep will attend the University of Indianapolis and A.J. Teague is headed to Transylvania University.
