Boys lacrosse season preview

Kamal+Baker+and+Scottie+Zaccagnini%2C+juniors%2C+embrace+Eli+Harel+and+Elliot+Cochran%2C+senior+captains%2C+during+the+2015+season.

Ruby Krietzman

Kamal Baker and Scottie Zaccagnini, juniors, embrace Eli Harel and Elliot Cochran, senior captains, during the 2015 season.

With tryouts beginning this week, the boys lacrosse season is finally kicking off. They are starting later than most spring sports, as most spring sports have begun in the last two weeks.

Last year, the boys finished with a 4-9 record, which is a school record for wins. Although they had a strong 4-1 out of conference record, the boys once again struggled in conference, finishing with an 0-8 record.

Coming off a record year, the Royals are returning 3 of their top 5 leading goal scorers. Kamal Baker, Nick Culp, and Scottie Zaccagnini, seniors, finished with 22, 22, and 9 goals respectively last year.

Although the Royals have a handful of returning faces, one new face will be the head coach. Last year’s coach Chris “Donny” Donaldson resigned in the off-season, leaving the door open for new head coach Todd Frykman. Coach Frykman came from Team Minnesota, a lacrosse club team, bringing some of his coaching staff with him.

With a new coach and momentum from last year’s wins, the Royals are looking to take advantage of a weakened Lake Conference and make a run.

Zaccagnini said he is very excited about the 2016 season.

“A new coach should bring along some new formations,” Zaccagnini said.

The Royals’ schedule includes a lot familiar teams. 10 of the 13 teams on this year’s schedule were opponents last year.

With a new coach, senior leadership, and coming off a record breaking season, the Royals could look to break even more school records.

Their season kicks off on April 15 as they host the St. Louis Park Orioles.