Mount Carmel lacrosse is stepping back on Barda-Dowling Stadium’s turf for another spring season. The team is led by fine arts teacher and head coach Matthew McGuire who enters his seventh season leading the Caravan.
The team is expecting another solid season, with several key players returning from last year and new talent coming up from JV. The program has around 60 players in total, and this has been the largest year numbers-wise since its establishment.
Last season, the team had its ups and downs, beating Whitney Young, Marist, and Carmel Catholic but lost to tough competition like Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius. The team wrapped up their season with a 9-8 record.
“It’s looking a bit different without our main attackman from last year, Timmy McHugh,” said senior midfielder Aidan Gawel, who will be playing for Elmhurst University next fall. “I think we can be pretty good with [senior] Tim Daigler coming off an injury. We also got a lot of young talent.”
That includes sophomore Wyatt Hubbard, who started as the junior varsity goalie last season but now takes up the responsibility on varsity. Sophomore midfielder Ryland Supurgeci played on varsity as a freshman and has high expectations for this season.
A familiar name to Caravan football fans, junior Zander Gorman plays as a defender. Before he broke out this past season with the football state champs, Gorman was well-known for his lacrosse talents. It’s easy to understand how his game translates between both sports.
“Lacrosse is a great sport to get into physical shape,” said senior defensive midfielder Aidan Frangella. “It’s the energy, the competitiveness, and the speed of the game. It’s the exact same feeling of football without the huddles and it’s a continuation.”
Frangella is another one of the football players who joined the program. With his compact build, Frangella is one of those midfielders who can break through and get an opening.
Gawel, the team faceoff midfielder, is known for his work ethic, as he’s always out on the turf practicing even when he’s out of season. His devotion to the team just ranks most guys, which has earned him a spot as captain and one of the most respected players on the Caravan.
The team faces tough competition like St. Ignatius and Loyola Academy, which are top teams in the state. The team’s main rival though is the St. Rita Mustangs.
“Our goal has been for the last eight years to beat St. Rita,” said Coach McGuire.
Another team the Caravan will be playing against is Oak Park and River Forest High School. Over the last couple of seasons, the Huskies and Caravan are currently tied with two wins and two losses.
“It’s always a heated game,” said Gawel. “That’s one students should watch out for.”
With the majority of their experienced defenders returning and aggressive nature, the team will be something to look out for this season, even if the team is still considered young.
“I would consider ourselves a very young team,” said Coach McGuire.
The Caravan has their eyes set on their first matchup against Indiana’s Chesterton High School Trojans at home on March 16th. The team will then travel to DePaul Prep on March 21st and Washington on March 23rd.
A few big-named teams are also scheduled to play the Caravan at Barda Dowling Stadium with the aforementioned OPRF Huskies on March 27th, the Marist Redhawks on April 11th, Carmel Catholic on April 20th, Loyola on April 23rd, and Fenwick on May 11th.
With the Caravan having high hopes this year, the team is not afraid to grind it out for a chance at every win.
