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Salem Boys Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 6-9, didn't make tourney

Returning starters (6): Steve Delfosse, Sr., midfield; Alex Pittera, Sr., midfield; Brett Miller, Soph., attack; Ryan Shelley, Sr., attack; Eric Jablonski, Sr., midfield; Chris Frediani, Sr., goalie

Returning lettermen: Patrick Allen, Sr., attack;  Tom Gardner, Jr., defense; Carl Ghannad, Sr., defense; Casey Hale, Sr., midfield; Steve Kalucki, Jr., midfield; Kyle Kenney, Jr., midfield; Justin Kineen, Sr., attack; Brandon Lavoie, Jr., midfield; Brett McCafferty, Jr., defense; Dakota McKenzie, Soph., midfield; Eric Mulcahy, Jr., defense; Shaun Russell, Jr., goalie

Newcomers: Kevin Delfosse, Soph., attack; Mike Frahm, Soph., attack; Chris Hale, Soph., defense; Jake Matthews, Soph., midfield; Zack Solomons, Soph., defense; Matt Stanton, Soph., defense

Candidates in all grades: 87

Captains: Steve Delfosse, Carl Ghannad, Ryan Shelley

Returning leaders: Ryan Shelley 15-14|29, Brett Miller 10-9|19, Eric Jablonski 11-1|12, Steve Delfosse 9-3|12

Assistants: Steve Ring, JV; Steve Goyette, Frosh.

Opener: Hosts Manchester Central April 7

Odds and ends: Last year's six wins was a single-season high for the Blue Devils, who are entering their fifth year as a varsity program. ... With 25 freshmen, the Blue Devils will field a freshman team for the first time. ... The defense took a hit when senior Craig Cameron transferred to New Hampton Prep. ... Junior letterman Kyle Kenney is ambidextrous and could be a major surprise. ...  Chris Frediani switched from attack to goalie in mid-season last year and played well. ... The Blue Devils return 75 percent of their scoring.

Coach Chris Kelleher (5th year, 13-51): "Overall, we've been moving the ball well in practice and I've been pretty pleased. We have three new defensemen, but I think we'll be stronger than people think with (Eric) Mulcahy, (Carl) Ghannad and (Tom) Gardner. They were good backups last year. Some people would think that's a concern, but I think scoring goals will be a bigger concern. Ryan Shelley is a talent, but we'll need others to score."