By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

ROCHESTER — Even after the first game of the season was put in the books — a loss by Rochester Adams — first-year boys lacrosse Andrew Momont knew good things were to come.

The Highlanders fell to Troy Athens 12-3 in their opener in late March, and Momont said Adams received the best thing it could in a loss — a lesson.

“Even though it wasn’t a great showing for us, the kids learned a lot from playing that team,” the coach said April 21 of Athens, which has been to the final four eight straight years.

Since that opening defeat, Adams has gone 7-1, with its only loss coming to Flint Powers 8-7 in double overtime.

The Highlanders finished 11-9 last season and have 11 players back that saw significant time, including five starters in seniors Peter Brunotte (defense), Max Cretcher (midfield), Andrew Kuhlman (midfield), Mitch Weiland (midfield) and Mike Younker (attacker).

Even with so many talented players back, Kuhlman and Weiland feel it’s a certain newcomer to the varsity — Momont — who has really made the Highlanders a force.
Momont took over the program this season after leading the junior varsity to a 19-0 mark last season.

“Our coaches have a lot of faith in us; they’re understanding and they help us through everything as a team,” Weiland said. “Our coaches are definitely a big factor in the success we’ve had this year.”

“We’re just focused on lacrosse, improving and working on our stick skills,” Kuhlman added.

The “stick skills” are exactly what Momont said has helped the Highlanders pile up wins.

“Really, it’s the fundamentals that the kids have come around on; the fundamentals being passing and catching,” he said. “Their shooting skills have improved quite a bit. You can’t win at this sport unless you can shoot the ball and hit the cage — make the goalie make a save.”

The Highlanders have been hitting the cage with regularity, averaging 10 goals per game while letting in five.

Momont said the biggest issue the squad needs to improve on is spacing and instinctively knowing where each teammate is going to be, especially for each line unit.

“That’s probably one of the things that we’ll always have to work on,” he said. “Every once in a while, a kid will get hurt, and then your teams within a team are all mixed up again.”

Even if the Highlanders can put it all together, Momont isn’t willing to make any grand predictions on just how far this team can go in the playoffs, but he’s not counting out something special happening, either.

“I think we’re a good team … as long as we stay healthy, we’ll make a good run in the playoffs,” he said.

Catch the Highlanders against Royal Oak High at 7 p.m. April 30 at home.

You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.